OKay.. here's what's going on.. I'm 26, healthy, male.

About 6 months ago I noticed that the back of my throat was covered with, lumps I would say? They look reddish, some are small bumps and some are larger masses. They don't bother me whatsoever, and I wouldn't have noticed them if I didn't actually see them one day. I also noticed that the back of my tongue on each side (and i mean the VERY back, sticking my tongue out ALL the way).. I did some research and maybe these are my lingual tonsils? I've had my normal tonsils removed when I was 12.

The part that worries me is when I stick my tongue ALL the way out, these parts at the back of my tongue just about touch the roof of my mouth, I don't think this is normal? And these lumps in the back of my throat have my freaking out..

Now the weird part.. other day my girlfriend of two years is telling me how she was diagnosed with 'cervical cancer' when she was younger, age 24 or so. They told her she had pre-cancerous cells and had them removed, and that they didn't come back. What's really starting to freak me out is that was more than likely caused by high-risk HPV, right? (they didn't test her for HPV I guess, because she was under 30).. so I'm worried that these lumps in the back of my throat are an oral HPV infection. I also have some swelling of a couple lymph nodes (one near jugular on left side, submandibular on right that has been swollen/the same size for at least a year now)

I went to the ENT a couple months ago (the only one in the area my insurance covers).. he seemed to completely write them off. He told me it doesn't look like anything to be concerned about. He wouldn't perform any further tests because he told me it was more than likely lymphatic tissue that is swollen. I do have a tooth that need SERIOUS care, extraction.. I'm almost positive there's an infection (no pain) but the tooth is hollow (it's my 2nd molar on left side) with part of it cracked off.. I have a terrible terrible dental phobia that i'm just starting to try and conquer. He told me there's no need to worry and I shouldn't even need a follow up..

So here I am, 6 months later.. and starting to get freaked out about it again. Should I find another ENT and demand a scope/biopsy? Should I take his advice and just ignore it and get on with my life? I'm so confused that I don't even know where to begin. Let it be known that I am a bit of a hypochondriac sometimes, esp. when left to my own devices and google! I'm starting to have panic attacks but part of me is just going with that the ENT told me, swollen lymphatic tissue due to dental infection.. but if this is serious I don't want to ignore it.

Here is a very short video I took, please note specifically the back of the throat and the very very back of the tongue on each side.
[video:youtube]xWVUPmAPIeI[/video]
If you have trouble seeing, click the video and you can view it fullscreen in HD on the youtube site (I KNOW, it's gross ;( )

Please help if you can.

Eric,

I'm not a doctor but I can tell you from my time on this site that oral cancer almost always strikes on only one side of the oral cavity. It is very very rare to see it stike bilateraly.

I think you have an infection of some sort. Please see a dentist, phobia or not. The worry you are putting yourselg through is not worth it.

Thanks for the reply!

I'm definitely going to make a dentist appointment. This tooth has been infected for a long time, and my phobia has been absolutely crippling me.

I was more worried about oral HPV, because my girlfriend informed me she had pre-cancerous cells removed some years ago.. I instantly thought of the link between HPV and Oral cancer.. and these things in the back of my throat came back to haunt me! (I performed oral sex a number of times)

I will go ahead and make a dentist appointment (took me awhile to find one I might actually be comfortable with) as well as making an appointment with a different ENT, just to be on the safe side...

I get so freaked out, the strength of some of the people here is just astounding.

Eric - It's good you are going to a dentist that you feel you will be comfortable with. Lots of people have fears when it comes to seeing the dentist but so many improvements have been made to keep patients comfortable. I was astounded a few months ago when I needed to have two root canals and my family doctor recommended an Endodontist. There was absolutely no pain with the experience - not even the slightest bit of being uncomfortable! Your teeth can affect your health in other ways so it's important to take care of them. You will feel so much better after you do.

Firstly Eric, HPV is a virus MOST of the population will get and is not a result of "high risk behavior ". I read that and immediately felt huge sympathy for your girlfriend!

I too remember seeing those lumps/bumps at the back of my tongue and thinking. WTH are those. Turns out they are perfectly normal.

See the dentist, have them write. "BIG CHICKEN " on your file, tell them you are allergic to pain, and I am sure they will be more than willing to help. These exact strategies worked for me and we all got to have a chuckle about it.

In the meantime.....Relax....99.9 percent of the things we worry about never happen. Hugs Donna

Eric, welcome to OCF! If a sore has been in your mouth for 2 weeks or longer then its time to get it checked by a professional. Just by looking at the photo to me it looks like you have thrush with your mouth having a white coating. Thrush can be very painful and is easily cured. I would suggest seeking out an ENT (ear, nose and throat specialist) who deals with oral cancer patients and get yourself checked out.

The members of this forum are not medical professionals, OCF is mainly comprised of survivors and caregivers. Many of us are very educated from our own experiences and what we have learned from this forum.

HPV affects most of the adult population and for most it can clear itself without any issues but for a small percentage it can cause several types of cancer. Be smart and protect yourself by getting the series of 3 Guardisil shots. At 26 years old, you are still able to get this. It will help protect you from the strains of HPV (16 and 18) which cause oral cancer and several other types as well.

Hope its nothing serious, good luck!!!

Oh! When I said "High-risk HPV" I meant HPV-16, the subtype that causes cervical cancer (or 50% or more of the cases, and the one that I think is responsible for a good amount of oral/head/neck cancers).

It just freaks me out because I know having a bunch of lumps in the back of your throat is NOT normal, and having them for 10-12 months now doesn't seem right at all to me.. it makes me very upset that the only ENT in the area (That my insurance will cover) seems to write it off.

Thanks everyone for the support, I really do appreciate it. Sometimes I hate the internet because I find myself getting freaked out a lot, but at the same time I feel like ignoring something like this could be the worst decision you could ever make.

Thanks Christine. The white is mainly a result of the LED-lights that my phone has while filming, reflecting.. and I took that video before I brushed my teeth and tongue! I haven't noticed any symptoms of thrush.

I did go to an ENT after I had these things for ~6 months or so, but he didn't seem the least bit concerned and told me I didn't even need to make a follow up. I guess I will give him a call back and tell him they have persisted now for almost a year. Thanks again.

If your doctor is not listening and seems to be brushing you off then travel to find one that is competent. Dont let insurance or geography determine how you are taken care of. Be proactive and get some answers. You are right, its NOT normal for bumps to be in your throat for 10-12 months.

HPV+ 16 and 18 also cause anal cancer, oral cancer and penile cancers. Im sure there could be others too but for the unlucky people who have immune systems that do not clear the HPV, it can cause some serious problems. Both of my children have been vaccinated. It took some doing to convince my son who is now in his early 20s to get the shots but he finally relented and went for them. Its a matter of protecting yourself.

Here is a link for further HPV info from the main OCF pages. This should help you to understand it better.

The HPV Connection

Eric,

You are doing the right thing by getting to another dentist and another ENT. Everything else is just speculation on our part so calm down and tell us everything you're told at these upcoming appts.

Going to make my appts on Monday.

First I'm going to see the ENT I originally saw and ask him nicely to do a biopsy. It shouldn't be too difficulty to biopsy them because they are in the back of the throat, right? I also have a swollen lymph node (been swollen for about a year now) on the left side, I think (I believe it's the jugular lymph node). Should I also request a fine needle aspiration biopsy on this as well? Little confused in that regard. I feel I have a fairly strong immune system, I haven't been sick in well over two years.. hopefully that will help! If anyone has any suggestions/tips on tests I can ask for to help be diagnosed, I'd really appreciate it.. right now i'm kind of at a loss.. My current plan is to get biopsy done on the lesions at the back of my throat, and perhaps a FNA biopsy done on the swollen node near my jugular (it's hard/painless, can't see it but can definitely feel is palpating the area) Should I ask for the samples to be tested for HPV? Any info here would be appreciated.

If he still doesn't take me seriously (because I'm so young) I will make an appointment with an ENT that's far away.. it's just a bit difficult to do right now because I work around ~60 hours per week so it's hard to find time to make a trip like that.

I changed the video so it wasn't private, sorry about that.. thought private meant it just wasn't listed!

Trying very hard not to worry, trying to keep occupied etc.. It terrifies me though because I'm currently going through a break-up with a girl I love dearly (we just have different goals in life, she wants kids, i don't) so part of me is terrified that I'll receive a diagnosis and be completely alone, that's what scares me the most!

I'll definitely keep you guys updated. I have a tendency to run from issues and ignore them.. something I've been trying to remedy as of late. After the first ENT appointment (6 mos ago) when he wasn't worried/told me not to worry, I took that as license to ignore it and pretend nothing was wrong.. but I just feel I can't do that anymore!

Thanks everyone, as I said before.. the strength of some of the people in this forum astounds me, I can only hope to be as strong as some of you one day, really is inspiring.