Hi peeps,

I have landed at this forum because I am very worried that I may have cancer at the base of my tongue. Specifically the kind caused by HPV16. This is based on the symptoms I have been experiencing the past three months.

A bit about myself; I'm a 28 yr old white male living in Aus, never smoked, drank socially from 18 to 22 and barely touch alcohol now.


For the past 3 months I have had a sore throat and coughing up a small amount of really thick clear 'glue-like' mucus. The throat pain is on the right side near the joint of my jaw and ear. I have also experienced some trouble swallowing.

My GP initially treated me with anitbiotics and steriod nasal spray for 2 months. Neither of these helped so he then ordered a CT of my sinus which showed minor mucosal disease confined to the maxillary sinus. I have been to two ENTs both of which put a scope down my nose and could not see anything sinister. However, these ENT did not specialise in cancer.

I just had my second visit with the first ENT who has requested an ultrasound of my throat and a CT of my throat. I'm concerned about getting the CT as I have already had one of my sinus and think the exposure to radiation might put me at risk. Should I get the CT done or request an MRI instead? I'm not sure what imaging is better. From what I read on the web MRI is.

I have organised to see another ENT that seems to have more knowledge when it comes to cancer. Just want to know what I should do and what steps I need to take to rule out anything bad, which is what I am hoping for.

Thanks
J.