I have swollen lymph node for a year. Should I be worried?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 26 year old female. I went to my GP last year for a swollen lymph node, on the right side of the jaw. But, my GP was not concerned. Recently, I have noticed this lymph node is still there. It is movable, hard, sausage shaped and attached from under the ear. It is moveable next to the throat. I have also noticed that my tonsil on that side is very visible but the left side looks sunken and I am unable to see it at all. I do not really have any symptoms of illness. I have a headache now and again behind the eyes and temples. I have also got a single red dot on the roof of the mouth that I never had before.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You have a unilateral enlargement of the tonsil, namely the right one. A unilateral enlargement could usually indicate a malignancy, although at your age it does not seem probable. But, in my practice, I would advise a patient like you to undergo tonsillectomy surgery and send the specimen for a histopathological examination. The enlarged lymph node is also due to the tonsil, either due to a chronic inflammation of the tonsil or due to a drainage from the tonsil. I suggest you check with an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) surgeon immediately and proceed as he says. Do revert back if you need any further support.