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Why are tonsils needed to be removed in certain children and adults?

Tonsils are areas of lymphoid tissue on either side of the throat. Tonsils can become enlarged or inflamed.  An infection of the tonsils is called tonsillitis. They can obstruct the airway or interfere with swallowing. They can also become virally infected or develop tumours such as lymphoma or squamous cell carcinoma in older people and as such are needed to be surgically removed in process called tonsillectomy.