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.