Professor Tonchev and pleomorfic adenoma: The Beginning

The Beginning

Living my life peacefully, I could not even imagine what was awaiting me. The decision to turn to Professor Tonchev was not impulsive - it was the result of "coincidences" (such as the visit to Associate Professor Bachvarov), consultations, and an internal struggle between fear and logic. By fear and logic I mean: "Should I dig deep or ignore it and bury my head in the sand".

How did I discover the pleomorphic adenoma?

Sometime around 07 - 08.11.2025, I came down with the flu.

In principle, I have never had to take medication in such a situation (just plenty of water and sleep), but a course of antibiotics became necessary. I thought I had somewhat recovered (the persistent cough subsided), but I had to visit a doctor again.

I felt a sharp pain behind my ear for the first time and when I touched the area, I felt something like a small lump, approximately the size of a lentil to the touch.

ENT (21.11.2025) told me I had a red throat and prescribed an antibiotic for 23 BGN and a probiotic for 63 (?!?!?) BGN. I asked what that lump was, because I suspected it might be something like an inflamed lymph node. He told me to go to St. Marina for a scan. Unfortunately, there was a long queue there and I gave up, thinking I would go another day.

 

Associate Professor Bachvarov - Imaging Diagnostics

I checked at Prof. Temelkov’s center and it turned out there was a free appointment at 18:30 for an ultrasound. Said and done (29.11.2025).

I am extremely grateful to Assoc. Prof. Bachvarov for the thorough examination and the detailed explanation.

I was lucky that after leaving the medical center my way home coincided with his, during which I managed to ask and receive answers to many questions that were troubling me. An incredible person, calm and pragmatic. Once again, huge thanks to Assoc. Prof. Bachvarov for his professionalism and patience.

To the question "Whom would you recommend for treating this thing?" the answer was categorical: "Professor Tonchev".

The diagnosis given was: "... probable pleomorphic adenoma. The finding requires consultation with a maxillofacial surgeon."

I go home and start thinking about it: "adenoma" = "tumor" = "cancer" = "finished"! I did not share anything with my family. Madness... I couldn’t sleep...

The first shock was not easy even for a person with a very strong psyche like me. Imagination simply works faster than logic and common sense. Maybe it is typical only in such emotional moments, but I have already learned not to jump to conclusions under emotional pressure.

In short, I will never forget the term "pleomorphic adenoma".

That is how I ended up at Professor Tonchev’s office.