March 18, 2021 | Tonsils and adenoids are collections of lymphoid tissue that have a role in helping the body fight infection. They trap bacteria and viruses entering through the throat and produce antibodies. The tonsils are located on both sides of the back of the throat. The adenoids are located higher and further back, where the nasal passages connect with the throat. The tonsils are visible through the mouth, but the adenoids are not. The two most common problems affecting the tonsils and adenoids are recurrent infections of the nose and throat, and significant enlargement that causes nasal obstruction and breathing, swallowing and sleep problems, a condition better known as obstructive sleep apnea. Abscesses around the tonsils, chronic tonsillitis, and infections of small pockets within the tonsils that produce foul-smelling white deposits can also affect the tonsils and adenoids, making them sore and swollen.

March 18, 2021 | Tonsil cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of your tonsils. Tonsil cancer often causes difficulty swallowing and a sensation that something is caught in your throat. A sore in the back of the mouth that won’t heal, severe ear pain and blood in the saliva are among the more common symptoms for this form of cancer. Men are diagnosed with tonsil cancer three to four times more often than women. People are generally diagnosed at age 50 or older but it can develop at any age. Tobacco and alcohol use are the most significant risk factors for the disease. Tonsil cancer is often diagnosed late in the disease, when cancer has spread to nearby areas, such as the tongue and the lymph nodes. Early-stage tonsil cancer is often treated with radiation therapy. A promising treatment called induction chemotherapy is also used to shrink the tonsil tumor. Advanced cancer cases usually require a combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

March 18, 2021 | Fever, a sore throat, ear pain and swollen lymph nodes are all signs of a possible infection of the tonsils. Bacterial infections of the tonsils are typically first treated with oral antibiotics. Removal of the tonsils and adenoids may be recommended if there are recurrent infections despite the use of antibiotics or if the patient is having difficulty breathing due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Such obstruction to breathing causes snoring and disturbed sleep that leads to daytime sleepiness, and may even cause behavioral or school performance problems in some children. Chronic infections of the adenoids can affect other areas such as the eustachian tube, the passage between the back of the nose and the inside of the ear. This can lead to frequent ear infections and buildup of fluid in the middle ear that may cause temporary hearing loss. Studies also find that removal of the adenoids may help some children with chronic earaches accompanied by fluid in the middle ear.

March 18, 2021 | A tonsillectomy, the surgical removal of the tonsils, is usually performed when the two clusters of tissue located at the back of the throat become enlarged and block the upper airway. They may also be removed when tonsil infections or strep throat cannot be successfully treated by antibiotics. There are several surgical options available. The surgeon may cut out the tonsils using a scalpel or a specialized surgical tool that uses heat or high-energy heat or sound waves to remove or destroy tissues and stop any bleeding. Because a tonsillectomy is performed under general anesthesia, the patient won’t be aware of the procedure or experience any pain during the surgery. Nearly everyone experiences some pain after a tonsillectomy. The pain is most often in the throat, but it may also be located in the ears, jaw or neck. The patient should be able to return to work or school after resuming a normal diet, sleeping normally through the night and not needing pain medication.

March 18, 2021 | Removal of the adenoids, a procedure called an adenoidectomy, is most often done on children when the enlarged glands block the child’s airway. Because the adenoids shrink as children grow older, adults rarely need to have them removed. The procedure is recommended if the child has chronic ear infections that persist despite antibiotic treatment or cause him or her to continually miss school. Performed using general anesthesia, an adenoidectomy requires the placement of a breathing tube into the child’s mouth and throat. The adenoid tissue is removed, often with a spoon-shaped tool called a curette, and the bleeding is controlled. An adenoidectomy is usually done as an outpatient procedure and complete recovery takes one to two weeks. While healing, the child may have a stuffy nose, nasal drainage, and a sore throat. Soft, cool foods and drinks may help relieve any throat discomfort the child may be experiencing.