Tonsil stones are calcifications that form in the throat. Because they appear as soft tissue masses, they make people wonder if they may be symptoms of cancer. Others think that they may cause or will cause tonsillitis.
In reality, tonsil stones have nothing to do with cancer. It is true that malignant tumors can form in the throat. The tonsils are a hub of blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves and muscles – all potential sites of abnormal cell growth. However tonsil debris is a completely different matter (literally). Stones in the tonsils are calcifications – calcium salts originating from a combination of bacteria, excess saliva and dead blood cells. Some say they may also contain leftover food particles. If these calcifications are indicative of anything, it may be a sign of possible bad breath or a predisposition to tonsillitis. Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils – quite a different problem but having one may make it likelier to have the other. It is therefore important to keep one’s mouth and throat clean through regular brushing and gargling.
You should not panic if you have tonsil stones. Most of the time they are quite harmless, apart from the discomfort and embarrassment they cause. Your doctor will examine the stones first and prescribe medication. If there is any doubt as to whether it is a tumor or not, he or she may request for a biopsy. A biopsy takes a sample of the suspect mass to determine if it is cancerous or not. Even then, tonsil cancer is quite rare.
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Source by Winston Marquis
