Hi,

My name is Jonathan. I am 37 years old. About a year ago, I started noticing what felt like a lump in my throat when I swallowed, sort of a popcorn kernel stuck on your tongue feeling. It lasted about a month then went away. Then, about a month ago it started bothering me now and then but never stuck around too long. About a week ago I was poking around in my mouth, and noticed at the pillar of my right tonsil, sort of under the tongue on the wall of the throat there, small bumps. So of course i freaked out. I have also had minor sore throat pain and very mild ear ache/plugged feeling on that side. The bumps kinda look like a couple little skin tags. Im very frightened, and have an ENT appt today to check them out. Any advice?

Jonathan,

Good luck with the visit. This could be anything so don't panic yet.

Do ask your ENT to test for HPV while he is looking. That may help in the long run.

Kelly

I think it's too late I have been in panic mode for a week since I found them . In fact, the day I did find them, I ended up in the ER. My BO was 166/90 lol which is high and my pulse was going like crazy. Only for them to tell me NOTHING and to see an ENT hehe.

I think what scares me the most is the associated one side sore throat and ear "plugginess" not necessarily pain.

How fast do these things grow?

Jonathan,

At this point you have no diagnosis, so we can't help much on the board here. The only real test for cancer is a biopsy. I assume your ENT will take one just to be safe unless he can identify another cause right out of the gate. You do not have cancer until they say you do.

Please let us know what the ENT says after your visit. There are some great people here whao have a great deal of knowlage so keep us posted.

Kelly

Thanks guys. talk to you after

Spent 15 minutes with the ENT. He looked at my throat and pronounced I don't see anything. Then, I said no wait look! And pulled my tongue down and to the side. He huffed, rolled back over to look and said all I see is accentuation of normal anatomical features, but your uvula is slightly swollen. I said What??? If its normal wouldn't it be on BOTH side the same? Argh. He said your best bet is to just "forget about it, there is nothing wrong" Oh well. Guess I will wait a month or so, see if it grows, see if it still hurts, then see someone who acts like they give a crap.

Jonathan,

Do try and calm down and at least give yourself another 30 days. You might even want to get another appt with another ENT now just in case you have to wait to get seen and you can always cancel.

Jonathan,

There is a saying on these boards that comes in quite useful: "It's not cancer until your ENT says it is.". The only way a DR can definitively tell you you have cancer or not is a biopsy. If your current Dr didn't ease your mind (which seems to be the case) then get a second opinion.

Until that time, it's hard to hear, but calm down. Even if it does turn out to be cancer it doesn't mean it's the end of the world. Do your due dilligence and get a second.

Good luck,

Eric

Gonna give it a month, try and forget it til then. then re assess

We have a couple of dentists that post here so maybe Jerry or Mike will give their 2 cents.

I would welcome that. As it is, My throat is burning sore, but according to Doc, no Viral or Bacterial infection....

Jonathan,

It would seem like a good idea to try to get to see an ENT that has some experience with oral cancer. I'm not saying this because I think that you have it, but this particular ENT's manner doesn't appear to be someone I would trust. I have heard of way too many dentists and physicians that have blown off poeple that did have cancer with an attitude like his.

And, besides, the sooner you find out, hopefully that you don't have cancer, you will be able to get back to living a normal life. And, if it does turn out to be something, treatment started sooner rather than later, is imperative.

Hey Jonathan,

So sorry you aren't feeling well. I hope this is just nothing- a bad cold or something. I am also not saying that this is cancer but your symptoms are familiar.

I was 33 at diagnosis and didn't fit the profile for this cancer ...I went to three Drs. before I got the right diagnosis and a that stage I was in a lot of pain and it had advanced quite a bit.
I would absolutely seek a second opinion just to be safe and also to ease your mind and maybe he/she can give you some medication for your symptoms as well. Definitely if you can get another opinion from an ENT who has experience with oral cancers. A lot of the ENTs that you will see inititally are allergists.


We are here for you whatever happens!

KATE

Absolutely totally agree. God knows, we all hope it's not cancer. But I was being blown off by doctors for months also because I didn't fit the profile (the saga started when I was 37 too), and it ended up being cancer. It's better be safe than sorry. Seek a 2nd opinion.

Well, I blew the money I had put aside for the Doctor on this idiot...so it will have to wait at least 2 weeks at this point. Guess that gives me time to see if anything changes too. "crosses fingers"

I was b;own off by a few Drs before I got the Surgeon that does my 3 month scopes to check me out while going down for his check of my esophagus. Man am I glad I asked him to check. He had an appt made for me with an ENT that he has a lot of faith in, and told me when I came to.

Thanks to all those who replied. It is wonderful to see such a supportive community out there! Hopefully, after my next appt. My journey here will end. But it is good to know that if it doesn't that there are people out in cyber land that truly do care for each other.

I finally made it to a more competent ENT, who would actually listen to my concerns. HE took a good look at the lumps I showed him and declared them normal lymphatic tissue. Also said he felt no swollen nodes, (Although even to this day, my right jugulodigastric node seems looks and feels swollen and painful) He did mention I had a lot of fluid in my ears and said I most likely had allergies. He did NOT do a scope, like I had hoped for, but did take a pretty good look. I may reschedule and have him do a real scope so I feel more at ease. I still have a lot of pain in the area of my neck/throat, and plugged ears always. My neck muscles HURT all the time. And I often still get that burning pain deep in my neck/throat. I am still concerned that something was missed. Maybe I am paranoid, or even slightly hypochondriacal, BUT...it doesnt feel right, and I cant imagine seasonal allergies causing this type of pain and discomfort in the throat only on one side...with a swollen/prominent node...yadda yadda

Great news with the second ENTs appointment. Of course you are your own best judge of what doesnt feel right. I will echo what others have told you....a biopsy is the only way to tell if its cancer and its NOT cancer til the doc says it is. If there isnt a visible spot to biopsy then they wouldnt be able to do one.

Believe it or not, allergies can cause all sorts of issues. Best of luck with easing your pain, hope you continue to be cancer free.

Jonathan, Christine gives the best advice. Cancer is a sneeky rotton thing. You keep on doing whatever it takes, until you have peace-of-mind. If a biopsy is not possible, my dr. took a "swab" on a white patch on my tongue. Your right, this is a great group of very supportive people here, but all the same...this is one club I would rather you NOT belong to!!!! I wish all your future results/tests/swabs/biopsies...all come back negative! I give you credit, better to be safe than sorry! Good Luck

Hi Jonanthan- Well how frustrating that they weren't able to pinpoint what the problem is. I know it isn't cheap but I would seek out another opinion or two to resolve this once and for all. A lot of ENTs are allergy focused but some of them have experience with cancer (again not saying that thisis what it is at all...). The ENT I saw was focused on allergys but he had served some time in the army and had come across oral cancer during his training. I know its hard because you have to get referred in order to see these Drs. ..which is why I couldn't get in to see one myself until months after I hadn't been feeling well. I had made calls to ENT's in my network and they wouldn't see me without a referral.

Be persistant and don't feel like a hypocondriac or feel self conscious about making these Drs. do thier job and figure out what is wrong. My very "reputable" GP definitely made me feel like that. You know your body better than any Dr. and if something is off you should investigate it until you figure out what is wrong once and for all. So sorry you are in discomfort! Did the Doc prescribe you anything to try and alleviate your symptoms ?

Hoping you feel better soon. Def investigate some other options.

Hope you start feeling good soon