Unilateral tonsillar enlargement is a common indication for tonsillectomy, but there are varying rates of malignancy among tonsils removed for asymmetry and a lack of clear guidelines for management within the literature. Lymphoma of the palatine tonsils is among the concerns leading to tonsillectomy, but chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) of the tonsil is rare. We report a case of primary CLL/SLL of the palatine tonsil in a 51-year-old gentleman who presented with tonsillar asymmetry and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) but lacked signs and symptoms suspicious for malignancy, including lymphadenopathy and "B-symptoms." To our knowledge, only 7 cases of CLL/SLL of the palatine tonsil have been reported in the English literature, with the tonsil being the primary site of involvement in only 4 of those cases. Our unique case highlights the importance of thorough physical exam, family history, and tissue biopsy in patients presenting to the otolaryngologist with OSA and asymmetric tonsils.
Keywords: cancer; obstructive sleep apnea; surgery; tonsillectomy.