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What Is the Treatment for Tonsil Cysts?

Anna Harrison
Anna Harrison

A cyst is a fluid-filled cavity with an epithelial lining. When this sac-like pocket forms inside the tonsils, it is termed a tonsil cyst. A tonsil cyst, like most cysts, is usually benign and non-cancerous.

Epidermoid cysts in the head and neck region are very rare. Tonsillar cysts are extremely rare, having an incidence of less than 0.01%.

Antibiotics may help treat tonsil cysts.
Antibiotics may help treat tonsil cysts.

The most common symptoms of a tonsil cyst are pain and difficulty in swallowing along with severe bad breath. Swollen glands, earache, headache, and fever may also be present. Several patients with tonsil cysts present to the clinics/hospitals with chronic headaches only.

Some people try to remove the cysts by squeezing them or pushing on them with a cotton swab. This should not be done as it can lead to infection and can cause the cysts to spread.

How Is a Tonsil Cyst Diagnosed?

A tonsil cyst can be of any type, i.e., epidermoid, tonsillar retention cyst, lymphoepithelial, or hydatid cyst. However, the most commonly occurring type is an epidermoid cyst. 

An MRI scan reveals the cyst's contents and is used to diagnose a tonsil cyst.

MRI scans vary depending upon the protein density and fluid contents of the cyst. In most cases, hypertrophy of the involved tonsil is observed. Protrusion of the tonsil into the nasopharynx is seen in severe cases.

Treatment Options

Surgical removal may be required to treat tonsil cysts.
Surgical removal may be required to treat tonsil cysts.

The treatment for tonsil cysts, or tonsil stones, usually begins with a round of antibiotics and may be all that is needed to clear them up. If these pus-filled lumps are thought to be cancerous, more serious treatments are required. In some cases, they may be chronic, and this also requires further treatment beyond antibiotics alone.

Antibiotic Therapy

Smoking and drinking may lead to the development of tonsil cysts.
Smoking and drinking may lead to the development of tonsil cysts.

Sometimes tonsil cysts will clear up on their own without any medical treatment. If they persist, oral antibiotics are generally prescribed. It may be necessary to complete more than one cycle of antibiotics before the cysts are eliminated. They can be resistant to treatment and quite challenging to get rid of.

Penicillin and amoxicillin are commonly prescribed antibiotics for tonsil cysts that do not resolve independently. Antibiotic therapy is necessary if the adult patient also suffers from associated bacterial tonsillitis.

Surgery

Chronic sinus problems may lead to the development of tonsil cysts.
Chronic sinus problems may lead to the development of tonsil cysts.

When tonsil cysts remain or recur after antibiotics have been tried, surgical removal may be required. A tonsillectomy is often performed by an otorhinolaryngologist, i.e., an ear, nose, and throat doctor. This type of surgery removes the tonsil tissues, which prevents the cysts from being able to form in the throat. Surgery is the only way to ensure that they do not return.

Nasal irrigation may help prevent tonsil cysts from recurring.
Nasal irrigation may help prevent tonsil cysts from recurring.

Surgical excision of a tonsil cyst is a delicate procedure. The surgeon must be conscious while removing the tonsil to prevent the cyst's rupturing. The tonsil cyst should be excised without opening because the contents of the cyst can get released into the surrounding fibrovascular tissues. That can cause an irritating effect on the surrounding structures.

Tonsillectomy procedures are generally safe, but there may be post-operative complications. Hemorrhage and pain are common complaints among patients after tonsillectomy surgery.

Studies show that patients undergoing intracapsular tonsillectomy procedures have reduced post-operative pain and hemorrhage incidence.

Tonsil Cancer Management

Most of these painful nodules are benign, but they can occasionally become cancerous. Cervical cysts tend to get converted into cancer. So, surgeons must be careful and should not invoke the condition lightly. 

If a physician suspects cancer, a portion of the cyst is cut out and tested for malignancy.This is a biopsy. Malignant cysts are then completely removed, and further action may be required, such as chemotherapy or other medications.

If conversion of a tonsil cyst into cancer is suspected, the doctor can opt for any of the following therapies:

Radion Therapy

Radiotherapy (ipsilateral) is proven to be an effective treatment option for tonsil cancer. Unilateral radiotherapy has shown to have high rates of disease control and a low chance of toxicity.

Chemotherapy

Induction chemotherapy (therapy before surgery) is now being used to manage tonsil cancer. In several cases, malignant tonsil cysts are surgically excised, followed by chemotherapy sessions.

Targeted Therapy

In this therapy, the doctors combine different treatments to target cancer cells (tonsil cysts).

Immunotherapy

This type of therapy is used to strengthen the body’s immune system so that it can fight the uncontrolled, rapidly dividing cancer cells.

How to Prevent Formation of Tonsil Cysts?

Smoking and drinking alcohol can lead to tonsil cysts by increasing the amount of acid within the mouth and throat. Studies reveal that the smoking status of the patient plays a vital role in treatment prognosis. 

Giving up these habits can help to prevent new ones from forming.Chronic sinus problems can also increase the tendency for cysts to form in the tonsils.

Nasal Irrigation

Symptoms of tonsil cysts may include pain when swallowing.
Symptoms of tonsil cysts may include pain when swallowing.

Preventative measures should be taken to prevent tonsil cysts from recurring. Nasal irrigation is helpful in some cases, especially those that occur from frequent sinus infections. This habit can help remove debris from the sinuses and has been of utmost benefit to patients having thick mucus.

To do this, a saline solution is inhaled through the nose. The solution is then spit out and should not be swallowed. A saltwater gargle can also be helpful when done regularly because this loosens the calcium deposits that can lead to cysts.

When Should I Consult a Doctor for Tonsil Cyst?

In most cases, a tonsil cyst resolves on its own and does not require medical intervention. Smokers have a high chance of non-healing cysts. People with comorbidities that weaken the immune system may also need medical attention for a tonsil cyst.

You must visit the doctor if you experience a high fever with a tonsil cyst. A tonsillar swelling that interferes with breathing must not be neglected. If the tonsil cyst hinders breathing, you must immediately go to a doctor and get it removed.

Muscle weakness due to a tonsil cyst is a rare phenomenon, but if you feel weakness in your oropharyngeal muscles, you must visit a doctor at the earliest.

Similar Conditions That Mimic Tonsil Cyst

Swollen glands may be a sign of tonsil cysts.
Swollen glands may be a sign of tonsil cysts.

Treating a tonsil cyst is difficult not because of the condition itself but because of conditions similar to a tonsil cyst. Before starting treatment for a tonsil cyst, physicians carefully rule out conditions similar to a tonsil cyst. These include: 

Tonsil Stones

Tonsilloliths or tonsil stones can form inside the tonsils and present similarly to a tonsil cyst. These stones are frequently mistaken for tonsil cysts. People with tonsilloliths also face the problem of bad breath.

Tonsillitis

Bacterial infection can cause the tonsils to swell, i.e., tonsillitis. The condition is common in children and is contagious. Yellow-white pus draining from the tonsils can be mistaken for cyst contents.

Other conditions that mimic tonsil cyst are peritonsillar abscess, infectious mononucleosis, and strep throat.

Conclusion

Fever and headache are symptoms associated with tonsil cysts.
Fever and headache are symptoms associated with tonsil cysts.

Tonsil cysts are very rare, and they’re usually benign. This condition is more commonly seen among smokers and drinkers of alcohol. Treatment will depend on the severity of the problem; it could be solved with just antibiotics or it may require chemotherapy in the case of cancer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are tonsil cysts?

Tonsil cysts, sometimes called tonsillar cysts, are fluid-filled sacs that grow in the tonsils. They may cause swallowing problems and foul breath and are often tiny and painless. Adults are more likely than children to develop tonsil cysts, although their exact etiology is uncertain.

What are the symptoms of tonsil cysts?

Tonsil cysts, or tonsil stones, are small, yellowish in color, and form in the back of the throat within the tonsils.
Tonsil cysts, or tonsil stones, are small, yellowish in color, and form in the back of the throat within the tonsils.

The most typical sign of tonsil cysts is trouble swallowing, which may cause pain or discomfort when consuming food or liquids. Bad breath, a painful throat, or the impression that something is lodged in the throat are some more symptoms. In certain instances, the cysts may enlarge to the point that they produce a pressure or lump in the neck.

How are tonsil cysts diagnosed?

Physical examinations are often used to identify tonsil cysts. In order to get a better look, your doctor may use a scope while looking at the region surrounding your tonsils. To confirm the diagnosis, they may also use imaging tests like an X-ray or CT scan. A biopsy may sometimes be required to rule out other disorders.

What is the treatment for tonsil cysts?

The kind of therapy depends on the size and severity of the tonsil cysts. Tiny, painless cysts may not need treatment, while bigger cysts can need surgery or antibiotics. The cyst and surrounding tissue are removed during surgery, which is normally carried out while the patient is under general anesthesia. In certain cases, the cyst may need to be drained in order to ease discomfort and agony.

Are there any home remedies for tonsil cysts?

Tonsil cyst symptoms may be lessened with the use of several home treatments. They include avoiding foods that can irritate the throat, gargling with warm salt water, and using a humidifier to keep the throat moist. These treatments should not be utilized as the main course of therapy, however, since they are not a replacement for medical care. It is essential to seek medical assistance if you are in pain or discomfort.

Discussion Comments

croydon

@irontoenail - They used to have tonsils out at the drop of a hat, just because they thought people didn't need them. Now they know tonsils do serve some purposes. They help to stop you from choking and might have some use in guarding against infections for example.

But they still remove them if they think it is necessary. Some people are really vulnerable to cysts or infections of the tonsils or lots of other lovely things.

In those cases, where it keeps happening, doctors will usually just take them out. It's actually cheaper and easier than treating the infection.

Kids have them out all the time and it is still the same process, with icecream and jello after the operation.

irontoenail

I read a book once where a doctor a few hundred years ago had to remove the tonsils of someone with severely infected tonsil cysts. In the story, the cysts had caused him to become deaf and he was near dead from not being able to eat and so forth.

We're lucky to live in a time where simple things like this are not the problem that they used to be. If you had really bad ones with no access to antibiotics you might not be able to eat, or sleep properly. There would be no way to make yourself feel better.

In fact this article makes me wish I'd had my tonsils out altogether when I was younger, but apparently they don't do that anymore.

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    • Antibiotics may help treat tonsil cysts.
      By: Brian Jackson
      Antibiotics may help treat tonsil cysts.
    • Surgical removal may be required to treat tonsil cysts.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Surgical removal may be required to treat tonsil cysts.
    • Smoking and drinking may lead to the development of tonsil cysts.
      By: Photo-maxx
      Smoking and drinking may lead to the development of tonsil cysts.
    • Chronic sinus problems may lead to the development of tonsil cysts.
      By: Junial Enterprises
      Chronic sinus problems may lead to the development of tonsil cysts.
    • Nasal irrigation may help prevent tonsil cysts from recurring.
      By: Oksana Kuzmina
      Nasal irrigation may help prevent tonsil cysts from recurring.
    • Symptoms of tonsil cysts may include pain when swallowing.
      By: Kalim
      Symptoms of tonsil cysts may include pain when swallowing.
    • Swollen glands may be a sign of tonsil cysts.
      By: brankatekic
      Swollen glands may be a sign of tonsil cysts.
    • Fever and headache are symptoms associated with tonsil cysts.
      By: irinapiter
      Fever and headache are symptoms associated with tonsil cysts.
    • Tonsil cysts, or tonsil stones, are small, yellowish in color, and form in the back of the throat within the tonsils.
      By: ArenaCreative
      Tonsil cysts, or tonsil stones, are small, yellowish in color, and form in the back of the throat within the tonsils.