Q:

Last year, I was concerned about a swollen lymph node on the right side of my neck that had been swollen for almost a year and came to the health center to have it checked. The doctor I saw commented that my tonsil on the right side was also noticeably bigger than the other, but she said that because I had no other symptoms, it was probably nothing to worry about. I also had a blood test that came back perfectly normal.

I'm still worried though because everything on the Internet about constantly swollen tonsils and lymph nodes points to either an infection of some kind or cancer as the cause.

Basically I'm concerned that even though my bloodwork was clean in the spring, cancer could still develop in my swollen lymph node/tonsil and I wouldn't know... I feel like letting them remain swollen is just like waiting for something bad to develop.

What I'm wondering is, is it really common for someone's lymph node and tonsil to be swollen for no reason whatsoever? And would it be smart to go on antibiotics of some kind to try to knock out any infection that's causing this?

 

A:

It isn't at all unusual to have a lymph node that is "reactive" and remains enlarged without it becoming cancer. It most likely enlarged due to a viral infection but didn't go back to its baseline size. As long as the lymph node is not getting bigger, or if you are not developing additional enlarged nodes, there is no need to worry.

Asymmetric tonsils are quite common, as they are lymph tissue as well. As long as your tonsil is not inflamed with pus, or painful, there is no need to treat with antibiotics.

We are always able to recheck your tonsil and neck node anytime, or if you are really concerned, we can send you for a specialist opinion.

~The Doc