Tonsillar lymphoma is a rare but highly treatable throat cancer that affects the tonsils. The most common treatment for this type of lymphoma is chemotherapy. Radiation and surgery to remove

the tonsils are also options. Your tonsils are lymphatic tissue at the back of your throat. Tonsillar lymphoma causes tumor growth on a tonsil and leads to symptoms such as chronic pain in

the mouth, ears, and throat. Tonsillar lymphoma typically responds very well to treatment and typically has a good outlook at diagnosis. In this article, we take a closer look at the full

range of symptoms, along with causes, diagnosis, and treatment. What is tonsillar lymphoma? Lymphoma is a cancer that affects your body’s lymphatic system, a part of your immune system.

large B-cell lymphoma. What are the symptoms of tonsillar lymphoma? There are multiple symptoms of tonsillar lymphoma. Symptoms are very similar to another type of throat cancer, squamous

cell carcinoma of the tonsils. This type of tonsil cancer is more common than tonsillar lymphoma. Only medical testing can diagnose which type of cancer is causing your symptoms. Symptoms of

tonsillar lymphoma include: * a mass (lump) in your neck * chronic sore throat * chronic and severe ear pain * chronic mouth pain * chronic bad breath * difficulty breathing * difficulty

eating * one tonsil that appears larger than the other * blood in your saliva * intolerance to citrus foods and beverages People with tonsillar lymphoma can sometimes experience general

lymphoma symptoms. However, this is relatively rare. General symptoms of lymphoma include: * fever * night sweats * fatigue * malaise * unintentional weight loss What causes tonsillar

lymphoma and who’s at risk for it? There isn’t a known cause of tonsillar lymphoma. It’s been linked with previous infections with viruses such as Epstein-Barr and human papillomavirus

(HPV). However, there’s a clearer association between HPV and squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsils. Beyond these viruses, known risks for tonsillar lymphoma include smoking and heavy

alcohol use. How is tonsillar lymphoma diagnosed? The first step to a lymphoma diagnosis is a medical appointment where you’ll discuss your symptoms, medical history, and family medical

history with a doctor. Your doctor will likely do a physical and visual exam of your throat. If they suspect you have tonsillar lymphoma, you’ll have a series of tests. These tests test will

include: * BLOOD TESTS: Blood tests can measure the levels of blood cells and specific proteins in your blood. These levels can be a sign of lymphoma and lymphoma progression. * IMAGING

TESTS: Imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, and positron emission tomography (PET) scans, allow doctors to get an up-close look at tonsil tumors and to see if they’ve begun to spread to

areas such as your lungs. * TONSIL BIOPSY: If the primary tumor is located in a tonsil, a biopsy of that tonsil can provide a definitive diagnosis and also help to identify if the disease is

contained within the tonsil or has spread to other sites. * BONE MARROW BIOPSY: A bone marrow biopsy tests for cancer cells inside your bone marrow. It’s done by inserting a long and hollow

needle into your hip bone. * LUMBAR PUNCTURE: A lumbar puncture, also called a spinal tap, removes a sample of spinal fluid using a long and hollow needle. You might have this test done if

your doctor suspects your tonsillar lymphoma has spread to your central nervous system. How is tonsillar lymphoma treated? Your exact treatment plan for tonsillar lymphoma will likely depend

on your stage at diagnosis and on your overall health. Common treatment options include: * CHEMOTHERAPY: Chemotherapy is the primary treatment for tonsillar lymphoma. It’s used to kill

cancer cells and to stop the spread of cancer. Often, chemotherapy is used along with a medication called rituximab that helps chemotherapy fight lymphoma. * RADIATION THERAPY: Radiation

therapy also helps kill cancer cells. It can be used on its own or in combination with chemotherapy. * SURGERY: Some people might have surgery to remove the tonsil affected by cancer. What’s

the outlook for someone with tonsillar lymphoma? Tonsillar lymphoma is typically highly treatable. It’s often diagnosed in the early stages and has an overall good prognosis. Factors such

as overall health, treatment received, and your body’s response to treatment can all make a significant difference in the outcome. Tonsillar lymphoma is rare, and there isn’t as much data on

it as some, more common, types of cancer. It’s more difficult to estimate general outlooks for rarer cancer types with fewer people diagnosed and treated each year. However, the data that

has been collected and analyzed on tonsillar lymphoma shows constantly high survival rates. Multiple studies show overall 5-year survival rates of over 80%, with some studies indicating that

people diagnosed in early stages have 5-year survival rates of over 95%. WHAT IS A 5-YEAR RELATIVE SURVIVAL RATE? A 5-year relative survival rate is a measure of how many people with the

disease are alive 5 years after diagnosis compared to people without the disease. Takeaway Tonsillar lymphoma is a subtype of lymphoma that affects the tonsils. Most often, tonsillar

lymphoma is a subtype of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma called large diffuse B-cell lymphoma. Tonsillar lymphoma causes symptoms such as pain in the throat, mouth, and ears. Other common symptoms

include bloody saliva, a neck lump, and difficulty eating. The standard treatment for tonsillar lymphoma is chemotherapy. Sometimes, radiation therapy and surgery are also used. Tonsillar

lymphoma is highly treatable, with an overall good outlook and survival odds.