I am a male 41 years old, with a long history of alcohol consumption on a daily basis. I have been diagnosed with GERD and two upper endocscopies done about 2 and 4 years apart showed some mild ulcerations. I have been on Omeprazole 20 mg for nearly 4 years. My GERD related symptoms have been little worse since last few months with excessive bloating, burping, stomach burns etc. Other than this, I am of normal health and has a BMI of 21.

Just recently I had a cold for a day and developed a slightly painful throat pain. The pain has since subsided, but there is an soreness and feeling of something inside the throat. I am not sure if this is something which I may have had before and failed to notice. I had stopped drinking since the next day of the cold.

I had visited an ENT specialist last week and he told me there is an infection in the throat and that the infection & arytenoid edema seen could be a result of LP reflux. I have finished a course antibiotics, but stopped on the 6th day because of stomach burn. The throat soreness is still there. I am due to visit the ENT and I am wondering weather to see instead an oncologist or a Gastroenterologist as well.

Just today a friend of mine who had not talked to me for nearly 2 weeks called and the first thing he said was that my voice has changed. This is scaring me a lot. Is this cancer? or could it be the throat infection and LPR that ENT suspect is responsible? There are no other symptoms that one ususally associate with throat cancer.

Do the infection detected in throat reduces the chance this could be cancer?

Or am I losing precious time by not visiting an Oncologist?

A friend of mine who happens to be a GP says I am jumping too early and that the symptoms would subside once I stop the alcohol (I already have for nearly 2 weeks) and allow the soreness to heal.

I am also worried about the financial implications of treatment. In light of this, what would be the best course of action for me to pursue?

Kindly give your feedback..Thanks to all in advance.

See what the ENT has to offer and take it from there.

Thank you David..

I know that's the obvious route..my worry is whether I will be losing time by not going straight to an Oncologist..how soon does these type of cancer change stages? In weeks? Months?

Further confused whether I should go to an Gastroenterologist first as even ENT says this could be GERD induced. I am also worried about the possibility of cancer elsewhere in GI tract.

Panic sometimes cloud the senses...so not able to thinks straight

You need to give your body time to heal - different cancers grow at different rates - try taking something to help your stomach finish your antibiotics - don't drink at all for a bit and see if it clears - give it two weeks - if nothing as changed or gotten better - then go back to the ENT - voices can change if you have a sore throat - swollen throat -! Try not to worry but you do need to figure out if it's an infection or something more. The only way to do that is to finish your meds and try not to do nothing to irritate the situation. Good luck,

Thank you Cheryl, that was quite re-assuring. If I am not consumed by another bout of panic, that's what I am going to do.

Meanwhile I am reading and reading about cancers of GI system...may be that will also push a one way or other soon.

Peter, I agree with David. A competent ENT will recommend a biopsy if he suspects something, and pass you along to a GI doc if he feels there are problems beyond his purview.

Keep us posted!

Thanks David2..May be I should see a better ENT..the one I saw somehow didn't inspire much confidence. Hmm..may be I am being harsh on the doctor..

Peter,

I know how you feel not knowing. Did your ENT scope your throat if not that should be done then go from there. When I go to Moffitt for check-ups my throat is always scoped.

After I had my surgery I was told I have acid reflux I was put on Nexium after trying over-the-counter which didn't work. My voice was hoarse I thought for sure I had throat cancer, it must have been acid reflux it's no longer hoarse.

I get my meds from Canada some half the price, some 1/4 of the price than here in the states, the same meds nothing different.

Hope you find out soon.

Connie

Thank you Connie. No I did not have a direct laryngoscopy, but the indirect one. I do not know if I will be scoped during the next visit. Anyway decided to go and see the ENT again tomorrow if throat shows no sign improvement. So far it has not

Peter,

I had similar symptoms for about 8 weeks and went to couple of ENTs (was having pain in the throat with pain radiating to the ear). One of them did a scopy and diagnosed it as LPR. I would suggest that you do a scopy ASAP and let your ENT decide if he wants to do a biopsy.

Thank you Balakal..I do not have pain now..I was kind of fixated on the idea a sore throat can only mean one thing..

Just few questions..

For a patient, do flexible laryngoscopy feel similar to upper endoscopy?

Is it less uncomfortable compared to upper endoscopy because scope may not go all the way down?

How does it differ from hard laryngoscopy and why does that need anesthesia?

Is there anything laryngoscopy can find but an upper endoscopy cannot? Or is upper endoscopy better because of the reach?

Peter, congrats on finding us, we are all a bunch of awesome, strong, giving, and knowedgeable people who have joined this community. That being said...I think you probably don't have throat cancer, but my advise to you is to find a good ENT Dr. who can scope you and possibly do a biopsy. I say this because of the alcohol use you described. I dont know if anyone has told you, you have learned it in the media, or just have a gut feeling, but alcohol is the worst of all the addictions. In fact... It's 1 of only 2 drug types that withdrawl from can kill you. Of coarse there is a chance that you have some type of cancer but my gut tells me it,s more like some kind of esophageal varices from drinking. Do you drink hard alcohol...the stronger the better? Me too. I would suspect that,s what it's from. Just tell the Doc about it, let them take the steps to check you out, and take the Summer without booze. I suspect you will get fantastic news along with a clear head and a great Summer. You watch... This will be "the Summer of Peter"... Keep us posted. WZ

Thanks MaineWill..I hope your gut feel is correct

You are right about the alocohol part..I had this affair with Cask strength whiskies and an eye for good scotch. Of course I do not exactly drink them neat, but still use very little water occasionally.. Luckily I never had any issue with stopping..no withdrawal symptoms etc. It is just that I never felt I was going over the limit..Anyway, not drinking for the last 2 weeks or more and haven't had even the faintest urge to drink.. I feel fresh, that bad breath that refused go away no matter what I did to my teeth is gone and I am getting more quality sleep..I intend to stay away from alcohol for a few months and even if I drink later, I do not intend to drink more than few drams during the weekends.

Coming to the sore throat.. I went to another ENT and he says it look mostly a case of LP reflux. He did not scope me either, just indirect one with mirror. There seem to be swelling and he is of the opinion it is better to have an Endoscopy, if I need it, after the swelling subside because upper endoscopy would be difficult with the swelling, he felt.

I have been prescribed Nexium 40 mg once a day along with an antihistamine. It has been two days since and I feel throat is improving. May be I am relieved considerably, the appetite is back too..I am told to consult the doc after two weeks.

I realize I might have to live with reflux now and am taking steps to correct my life style. In the hindsight the worse thing I did must be to eat just before I slept, just after I finished drinking alcohol. Nowadays I eat at least 2-3 hours before I sleep. I reduced or stopped all greasy food. Fruits and vegetables are back. I sleep with my upper torso up. Taking a few light meals in between. The burping and gas seem to be gone since Nexium or it could be the cumulative effect of all the changes in habits.

I intend to do an upper endoscopy sometime next month when my prescription for Nexium finish or if the swelling do not subside in 2 weeks.

Thanks for this wonderful bunch of brave people.

Great news that you have some relief!!! Take care and be well.