Hello. I'm 18 and currently experiencing some symptoms of BOT cancer. These symptoms have persisted on and off for almost a year. I smoked for 3 years but quit about two weeks ago. When i swallow, I feel as though something in the right base of my tongue is present. It doesn't really hurt when I swallow but there are times when I'm just sitting around and I can feel this mystery growth stinging or pulsating.


In november of 2009 I visited an ENT. She checked me out and gave me an endoscopy as well. She said that I had some irritation right by my uvula and that it's cause is likely acid reflux. I told her I dont feel any acid in my stomach or other symptoms but she insisted that reflux can be silent and that frequent irritation from the acid is causing the sensation I have. She prescribed me medicine but I never took it. (I know, that was dumb!)

So I didn't really think anything more of it until recently. It's on and off, some days more noticeable than others. I have an appointment set up with a different ENT on may 4th at the ENT center in New York City. I figure that's the best place to go since none of the CCC's in NYC take my insurance. -___-

Anything I should ask for specifically? I definitely want another endoscopy and I might even ask for an MRI. If he seems to brush me off (especially due to my age) I will do what needs to be done to get him to listen and certainly go for a 3rd opinion then a 4th. If at the 4th opinion, with multiple scopes and scans done show nothing, then I will move on.

Not quite sure what I'm looking for here but I guess advice, support and your thoughts would be great!

Listen to what this ENT says and even tell him/her what the other ENT said and what you didn't do. Chances are really really great it's NOT CANCER but do follow the advice given this time.

Thanks David for your response. I definitely will be listening to him this time and following any treatment advice he gives me. If the symptoms persist after that, I will go to another doctor.

I should also mention that I have chronic post-nasal drip which leads to congestion every so often and my wisdom teeth are coming in/almost fully out but cause frequent gum irritation. I'll be sure to inform the ENT of this as well.

If the symptoms persist it may be more prudent to return to one of the ENT's you've previously seen as opposed to starting all over with another one. Just depends...

Responding to your first post about being dumb, at 18 you're to young to be dumb, inexperienced or not worldly perhaps but not dumb. JM2C's

Acid reflux disease is quite common these days, and its presentation can be quite remote from what you would expect of an acidy stomach. Reddening of the tonsils, uvula, and if they scope you, especially the larynx, would be common symptoms. It is important that you take the proton pump inhibitors that they have prescribed. GERD is one of the fastest growing producers of esophageal cancers (usually adenocarcinomas) which are on the increase in the US. They take some time to develop and the formation of a change in the tissue of your esophagus, to what is called Barrett's esophagus is the first step.

Some years ago my brother was convinced he had throat cancer (smoker). He felt some lumps along his throat and had an off and on pain. We finally convinced him to see a doctor and it turned out to be acid reflux.

The acid had irritated the lymph nodes in the neck. Funny thing is, he never had a sour stomach.

Thanks for the quick responses guys!

I'm certainly open to and hoping it is just acid reflux. I'm sure that if this ENT scopes me and does not find anything cancerous, that we will diagnose me with GERD again. In that case, I will definitely try out the medicine and pray that it works. My symptoms are getting worse so true relief would be fantastic.

Kelly, with treatment, did his symptoms go away? If so, in how much time?

I hear what you're saying Scared at 18. I thought I had throat cancer besides tongue cancer. I felt like I had something caught in my throat. My surgeon told me it's acid reflux not throat cancer he scoped my throat, I'm taking Nexium. It cleared up within a few days. I never had a sour stomach all I had was a feeling something was caught in my throat. Also, if I miss a few days of not taking my meds that feeling comes back, I make sure I take it first thing in the morning.

If your ENT says it's GERD and gives you meds take it don't mess around with it.

18,

I don't think it took long to get back to normal, be sure to ask the doc if that's what it is.

Thanks guys, this has been very reassuring. i think over the last few days i let my anxiety cloud my rationality. And although I realize being 18 doesn't guarantee I don't have OC (just look at Hailey), it means that other issues are far more likely.

I'm glad that I've managed to quit smoking too!

I'll update you guys after the fourth.

EDIT: I should also mention that when examining my mouth at a distance, my right tonsil is very visible while my left tonsil isn't. I have to move around quite a bit just to see my left tonsil at all. I will mention this to my doctor.