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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes White Spot On The Tonsils?

I have had a small flat white spot on my right tonsil for about 2 weeks now. When i first noticed it i went to my doctor for a strep test, and it came back negative. Since i still have the spot on my tonsil i have set up another appointment with another doctor to have it checked. I dont have a fever, and there is a very slight occasional pain when swallowing. I am 24 years old and I do occasionally smoke (not on a regular basis). Since i have to wait a few days for my next appointment i decided to google white spot on tonsil... and of course cancer pops up... just wanted to know what other symptoms would be present if it was cancer / cancerous.
Thu, 21 May 2015
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,

Welcome to Health Care Magic.

Thanks for writing.

I am Dr.Saddiq ul Abidin. I have read your question completely, I understand your concern and will try to help you in best way possible.

Since you have carefully explained the appearance of tonsils, it appears as if your tonsils are swollen up to this much extent that even you can notice or examine yourself in a mirror comfortably. But the spots you are referring to can be pus discharge or a coating of debris over tonsils, with or without ulcerations, indicating quite a pronounced degree of infection. Directly jumping to the cancers as a top most possibility is not advisable at such pre-mature stage. All you need to do is to have a thorough check up by an ENT specialist and get few screening tests like Complete blood picture, ESR ad CRP done, along with detailed examination to look for any swollen lymph nodes in neck region, and if found can be subjected to biopsy or FNAC.

If i were your physician i would have preferred to start amoxycillin with a clavulanic acid combination available in the form of augmentin, as the pain and swelling is quite suggestive of underlying infection, but after ordering the blood and the pus or the plaque over your tonsils been sent for the cultures and sensitivity spectrum.

Also that since you have mentioned about the pain during swallowing, it would be more comforting to use a good anti inflammatory drug if contraindication towards use of an NSAID drug isn't there. That will help towards a quicker response and symptomatic relief. Also a use of anti histamine would be comforting addition. I would suggest you to do gargles whether with a saline water or with a mouth wash.


It would have been more appropriate, if we had known the frequency of tonsillitis attacks per year and in the preceding years, as more than 3 attacks in one year is one of the indications for the surgical removal of the tonsils, as recurrent tonsillitis is associated with a number of complications as presence of an infection source, at the base of the skull, housing your brain, is not advisable, though, it is one of the rare complications but one needs to be aware of all complications and treatment options.


I hope this answered your question.If you have more queries I am happy to answer. Otherwise rate before closing the discussion

Regrads.

Dr.Saddiq ul Abidin
M.B.B.S(Licensed Family Physician)
Resident Medicine.

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What Causes White Spot On The Tonsils?

Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic. Thanks for writing. I am Dr.Saddiq ul Abidin. I have read your question completely, I understand your concern and will try to help you in best way possible. Since you have carefully explained the appearance of tonsils, it appears as if your tonsils are swollen up to this much extent that even you can notice or examine yourself in a mirror comfortably. But the spots you are referring to can be pus discharge or a coating of debris over tonsils, with or without ulcerations, indicating quite a pronounced degree of infection. Directly jumping to the cancers as a top most possibility is not advisable at such pre-mature stage. All you need to do is to have a thorough check up by an ENT specialist and get few screening tests like Complete blood picture, ESR ad CRP done, along with detailed examination to look for any swollen lymph nodes in neck region, and if found can be subjected to biopsy or FNAC. If i were your physician i would have preferred to start amoxycillin with a clavulanic acid combination available in the form of augmentin, as the pain and swelling is quite suggestive of underlying infection, but after ordering the blood and the pus or the plaque over your tonsils been sent for the cultures and sensitivity spectrum. Also that since you have mentioned about the pain during swallowing, it would be more comforting to use a good anti inflammatory drug if contraindication towards use of an NSAID drug isn t there. That will help towards a quicker response and symptomatic relief. Also a use of anti histamine would be comforting addition. I would suggest you to do gargles whether with a saline water or with a mouth wash. It would have been more appropriate, if we had known the frequency of tonsillitis attacks per year and in the preceding years, as more than 3 attacks in one year is one of the indications for the surgical removal of the tonsils, as recurrent tonsillitis is associated with a number of complications as presence of an infection source, at the base of the skull, housing your brain, is not advisable, though, it is one of the rare complications but one needs to be aware of all complications and treatment options. I hope this answered your question.If you have more queries I am happy to answer. Otherwise rate before closing the discussion Regrads. Dr.Saddiq ul Abidin M.B.B.S(Licensed Family Physician) Resident Medicine.