Ok, Marc,
Sounds like you have had a lot of tests & doctors' visits. You should feel fairly safe at present. I can guarantee to you that there is such a thing as getting a sore throat from nerves. I have done it myself! You can tense your muscles so much in this region that you can make them sore, and I'm not sure of the exact mechanism, but trust me on this one. Same with ear pain. I wouldn't ignore these things, but you have not ignored them. Furthermore, taking ativan makes the throat issues go away perhaps because of the tension causing them.

You need to put away the cigars, & all tobacco, if you have not already. You did not say if you had. You can't change the past.

I would try to get your mind on other topics, maybe find a hobby if you don't have one, do some exercise, or volunteer! Helping others is a great way to get your mind off yourself. Actually you could do all of these things.

I can't say I know for absolute certain that you don't have any physical problems, but I think you should feel that you have taken precautions. Six different ENTs, biopsies, FNB of lymph node . . . that is impressive!

Not making light of your fear, but I do think you should chill and enjoy life a little.

Best,
Anne

PET scan is not the ultimate answer either--what it shows is glucose activity. It did not show my sarcoma because my sarcoma was inactive. Only a CT showed that. Please save your money. Find a different therapist if the ones you have seen aren't doing you any good.