The early lesions are usually asymptomatic. The patients presenting with an advanced stage of the disease comprises around 66–77% of the cases. The most important signs include a lump in the neck when palpated and weight loss. People may also present with fatigue as a symptom. The primary tumor does not have readily discernible signs or symptoms as they grow within the tonsillar capsule. It is difficult to notice anything suspicious on examination of the tonsil other than slight enlargement or the development of firmness around the area. The<unk>  may occur in one or more sites deep within the tonsillar crypts. It may be accompanied by the enlargement of the tonsil. The affected tonsil grows into the oropharyngeal space making it noticeable by the patient in the form of a neck mass mostly in the jugulodigastric region. As the tonsils consist of a rich network of lymphatics, the<unk>  may metastasize to the neck lymph nodes which many are cystic. Extension of tumor to skull or mediastinum can occur. The additional symptoms include a painful throat, dysphagia, otalgia (due to cranial nerve involvement), foreign body sensation, bleeding, fixation of tongue (infiltration of deep muscles) and trismus (if the pterygoid muscle is involved in the parapharyngeal space). On the other hand, the tumor may also present as a deep red or white fungating wound growing outwards, breaking the skin surface with a central ulceration. This wound-like ulcer fails to heal (non-healing) leading to bleeding and throat pain and other associated symptoms. During biopsy, the lesion may show three signs: gritty texture, firmness and cystification owing to keratinization, fibrosis and necrosis respectively. Cervical lymphydenopathy may be present.
Tonsil carcinoma
Laryngeal cyst
Laryngeal papillomatosis
Laryngeal cancer
Peritonsillar abscess
Oropharyngeal cancer
Nasopharyngeal cyst
Adenoiditis