ABSTRACT
Tumours of the tonsil and oropharynx are relatively uncommon. Benign tumours are rare and insignificant; malignant tumours are of two kinds. Squamous carcinomas resemble those of other sites in the upper air and food passage by being related to cigarette smoking, as well as to other forms of smoking and to heavy consumption of alcohol. Lymphomas arise in the lymphoid tissue which is concentrated in the tonsils, and are unrelated to smoking or drinking. While squamous carcinomas of the tonsil are rare below the age of 40 years, lymphomas can occur in a much younger age group and even in childhood.
