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Malignancy in asymmetrical but otherwise normal palatine tonsils.
- Source :
-
Ear, nose, & throat journal [Ear Nose Throat J] 2006 Oct; Vol. 85 (10), pp. 661-3. - Publication Year :
- 2006
-
Abstract
- An abnormally large tonsil may be a sign of malignancy. We retrospectively analyzed the case files of 87 patients who had asymmetrically sized but otherwise normal tonsils and no risk factors for cancer to determine if asymmetry is associated with a higher incidence of malignancy. We found 2 cases (2.3%) of malignancy among these patients. One patient had high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the larger tonsil, and the other had lymphocyte-rich Hodgkin's lymphoma. Both patients were older than 50 years, and neither had a history of recurrent tonsillitis. We believe that although the incidence of cancer in our series was small, it is significant. Therefore, we recommend routine excision of abnormally large tonsils. Moreover when making such a recommendation to a patient, it is essential that the patient have a clear understanding of the risk and benefit of having a tonsil removed solely because of asymmetry.
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Child
Child, Preschool
Fatal Outcome
Female
Hodgkin Disease epidemiology
Hodgkin Disease pathology
Humans
Incidence
Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin epidemiology
Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin pathology
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Tonsillar Neoplasms epidemiology
Tonsillar Neoplasms pathology
Tonsillectomy
Hodgkin Disease diagnosis
Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin diagnosis
Palatine Tonsil pathology
Tonsillar Neoplasms diagnosis
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0145-5613
- Volume :
- 85
- Issue :
- 10
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Ear, nose, & throat journal
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 17124938