Our Summary

This research paper presents a rare case of a 4-year-old boy, who had constantly enlarged tonsils and was having trouble breathing during sleep. After undergoing surgery to remove his tonsils and adenoids (lymph tissue in the back of the throat), it was discovered that he had a type of cancer called T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma. Thankfully, with the right treatment, the boy fully recovered.

The paper suggests that there isn’t a common agreement among doctors about whether they should routinely check removed tonsils and adenoids for signs of disease. The authors recommend that doctors should get these tissues tested in cases where uncommon conditions are found during surgery, whether cancer is suspected or not, as a cost-effective and precautionary measure.

FAQs

  1. What symptoms did the 4-year-old boy present that led to his tonsil and adenoid removal?
  2. What type of cancer was discovered in the boy’s removed tonsils and adenoids?
  3. What does the research paper recommend for doctors when uncommon conditions are found during tonsil and adenoid surgeries?

Doctor’s Tip

A doctor might tell a patient undergoing an adenoidectomy to follow up with regular check-ups and screenings to monitor for any signs of uncommon conditions, such as cancer. It is important to be proactive in monitoring your health and discussing any concerns with your healthcare provider.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended adenoidectomy include:

  1. Children with frequent ear infections or fluid in the middle ear that does not respond to other treatments.
  2. Children with sleep-disordered breathing, such as snoring or obstructive sleep apnea, due to enlarged adenoids obstructing the airway.
  3. Children with chronic sinus infections or nasal congestion caused by enlarged adenoids.
  4. Children with recurrent or persistent sore throats or difficulty swallowing due to enlarged adenoids.
  5. Children with speech or language delays caused by enlarged adenoids obstructing the airway.
  6. Adults with chronic sinus infections or nasal congestion caused by enlarged adenoids.

Timeline

Timeline of patient experiences before and after adenoidectomy:

Before surgery:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms such as difficulty breathing during sleep, constantly enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
  2. Patient visits a doctor and is recommended to undergo surgery to remove the tonsils and adenoids.

During surgery:

  1. Patient undergoes adenoidectomy procedure to remove the tonsils and adenoids.

After surgery:

  1. Tissues removed during surgery are tested for signs of disease.
  2. Patient is diagnosed with T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma.
  3. Patient undergoes treatment for cancer, which may include chemotherapy and other therapies.
  4. Patient fully recovers from cancer and experiences improved breathing and overall health post-surgery.
  5. The paper suggests routine testing of removed tissues for signs of disease as a precautionary measure.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with adenoidectomy surgery?

  2. How will the surgery affect my child’s breathing and sleep patterns?

  3. How long is the recovery period after adenoidectomy surgery?

  4. Will my child need any special care or follow-up appointments after the surgery?

  5. Are there any specific signs or symptoms that I should watch for after the surgery?

  6. Are there any dietary or activity restrictions that my child will need to follow after the surgery?

  7. How likely is it that the adenoids will grow back after they have been removed?

  8. Should we consider testing the removed adenoid tissue for any underlying conditions, such as cancer?

  9. What are the signs or symptoms of cancer that I should be aware of in my child’s case?

  10. Are there any additional tests or screenings that should be done to monitor for any potential complications or recurrence of disease?

Reference

Authors: Kara İ, Ramadan S, Şenkal E, Koçdor P. Journal: Int J Surg Pathol. 2023 Aug;31(5):846-851. doi: 10.1177/10668969221142044. Epub 2022 Dec 7. PMID: 36476077