Man’s Persistent Tonsillitis Leads to Life-Saving Cancer Diagnosis

A 32-year-old man from London, Pawel Chmura, discovered a hidden tumour under his tongue following repeated bouts of tonsillitis. His experience highlights the critical importance of listening to one’s intuition regarding health concerns.

Chmura, who works as a front-of-house coordinator for a marketing agency, began investigating his recurring tonsillitis at the end of 2023. “It all started from something entirely different. The year before I was diagnosed with mouth cancer, I was having issues with my tonsils,” he shared. Upon returning from holidays, he repeatedly suffered from tonsillitis, prompting him to seek answers after numerous rounds of antibiotics proved ineffective.

After initial tests and swabs at his general practitioner yielded no results, Chmura pushed for further examination. He utilized his health insurance with Bupa to consult specialists. In early 2024, he was referred to an infectious disease expert who identified a suspicious anomaly on an MRI scan. “When I had a call to discuss the results, the specialist said, ‘your tonsils are fine, but we found something on the image which I think you need to speak with someone else about,’” Chmura recalled.

Despite the initial reassurance, Chmura faced anxiety regarding the next steps. A subsequent investigation, including an ultrasound and a fine needle biopsy, was complicated by the lump’s location under his tongue. As his apprehension grew, he found a specialized surgeon through Bupa who would ultimately remove the lump for further analysis.

Two weeks later, during a follow-up appointment, Chmura received the devastating news. “When I walked in and saw the doctor and nurse, I felt like something was off straight away. We sat down and they said, ‘listen, unfortunately, it’s cancer.’”

According to the Oral Health Foundation, mouth cancer is among the UK’s fastest-growing cancers, with cases increasing by 38% in the past decade. After his diagnosis, Chmura felt a sense of relief due to the clarity of his treatment plan, although he struggled with how to inform his parents in Poland.

“The only thing I focused on was how to tell my parents and how to organise them to fly over here from Poland,” he stated. He emphasized the difficulty of delivering such news, particularly to his parents, who were understandably devastated. Chmura reassured them about the quality of his care, encouraging them to remain hopeful.

Dr. Raf Niziol, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, led Chmura’s treatment. The surgery entailed removing the floor of the mouth, conducting a neck resection, and performing a forearm tissue transplant. A tracheostomy was also necessary to help manage post-operative swelling. Chmura described his recovery as a “blur,” influenced by painkillers.

“It’s very weird going back to the time when I was in ICU, because I was on so many painkillers that everything feels like a blur,” he explained. Nevertheless, specific moments remained vivid, such as the troubling nights post-surgery when he battled nightmares and discomfort. To find solace, he turned to music, playing the radio on the hospital TV.

Chmura returned to work three months after the operation, yet he continues to grapple with the fear of recurrence. “The type of cancer means that I need to have yearly test scans and in this particular case, there is quite a high chance of recurrence in the lungs,” he noted. Although he strives to stay positive, the thought of potential relapse is ever-present.

Additionally, Chmura had to relearn how to use his tongue following the extensive surgery. “My tongue doesn’t feel as flexible as it once was, and I can no longer stick it out,” he remarked.

Neil Sikka, director of dentistry at Bupa Dental Care, highlighted the crucial role dental professionals play in detecting oral abnormalities. “During routine check-ups, we perform a cancer screening examination and are well-placed to spot early signs of mouth cancer and refer patients for further investigation when needed,” he stated.

Reflecting on the challenges of 2024, Chmura expressed a newfound determination to embrace life fully. “I’ve named 2025 as the year of making dreams come true,” he declared. He has focused on travel and experiences, including attending a Lady Gaga concert in Barcelona. “I want to try and get as much out of life as I can, because I could have possibly been dead at 30 if the surgery went wrong,” he said.

Chmura’s experience serves as a reminder of the importance of advocating for one’s health. “If there is a worry about anything, just go and have it checked, because if I didn’t push, god knows when we would have found it,” he urged.