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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Sore Throat

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Posted on Fri, 31 Mar 2017
Question: Hello,

I have had a chronic constant sore throat for 2 years now..I had my tonsils removed and biopsied and they were fine. I've been to ENT's who say all different ENT things, but I was wondering if it would be possible to miss lymphoma of my lingual tonsils? I have had MRI's and CT scans and laryngoscopes ...is it possible to miss this? Or would an MRI of that area be able to see lymphoma? IT was a stand up fonar MRI.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Hello dear. Lymphoma cant be missed

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. I have gone through the details and I understand your concern. So a lymphoma cant be missed on ct scan and as you havr undergone biopsy examination of tonsil, it must have picked it. There is no need for MRI. You may visit a good physician to look of atypical causes of cough like, allergies, or some neurological disorders, but for all practical purpose, lymphoma is ruled out.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (2 hours later)
I had biopsy of my palatine tonsils, not my lingual ones..
I had the palatine ones removed, but my lingual ones are still enlarged..
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Hello. Still a ctscan can pick lymphoma

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. So still a ct scan can pick a lymphoma with great accuracy. If you still have any doubts, then an needle aspiration biopsy can be done.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (45 hours later)
so to my favourite oncologist....

Here is the big overall overwhelming question...

Can all cancers be seen on MRI's? and if so, why aren't full body scans given to every individual yearly or every second year?

doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (56 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Hello. Routine whole body scans are not cost effective

Detailed Answer:
Hello again. So its a tricky question because i ddnt expect it from a patient, jokes apart. But i will make it simple for you. So scans are ordered whenever on clinical grounds we suspect anything. And we can atleast suspect whether its a carcinoma or a lymphoma. Mri can define some lesion, ct is good for some and whole body petct for others. So after clinical examination we can decide, which test to order. For just screening purpose, we donot order scans as radiation is hazardous and just picking one cancer out of 1000 is not cost effective.
Hope you understand.
Thanks and regards
Feel free to ask further
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (22 hours later)
So if cost was never a concern, and ethical issues were never a concern, would a full MRI be what everyone "should do" every year? since radiation would be an issue? And what are good generally for MRI and what is good for a CT scan? I know these are a lot of questions, but if I could be a dr I would be already, b/c I've had such trouble trusting the system in which I live (Canada - socialist healthcare)

thank you!

and my last question!!!

(I wonder when they are going to cancel my account b/c I ask too many questions)

If one had 2 MRI's of the soft tissues of the neck, and one CT of the sinuses,

would any type of cancer, lymphoma or carcinoma or any type be found from these three scans?

thank you again!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Hello. Screening is done only in high risk population

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. So if a person falls under a high risk group, say a chronic smoker for the last 20 years who runs a risk of developing lung cancer, a screening ct every year is justified. In normal healthy population, as i said earlier, it is not justified and doctors do not do things without any evidence.
So again, there is nothing like a good mri or good ct. It all depends upon the expertise of reporting doctor as machines are all same.
Only a petct is required which can adequately detect cancer, if there is suspicion, no need for multiple scans.
Hope you understand.
Thanks and regards
Feel free to ask further.
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Deepak Sundriyal

Oncologist

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 1633 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Sore Throat

Brief Answer: Hello dear. Lymphoma cant be missed Detailed Answer: Hello dear. I have gone through the details and I understand your concern. So a lymphoma cant be missed on ct scan and as you havr undergone biopsy examination of tonsil, it must have picked it. There is no need for MRI. You may visit a good physician to look of atypical causes of cough like, allergies, or some neurological disorders, but for all practical purpose, lymphoma is ruled out. Thanks and regards