Throat cancer worries! ongoing lump in throat for 2 months.

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Reply 20

Demonicham

Original post by shiggydiggy

Out of interest, how many times have you been to your GP and A&E in the last year?

Alot. only been to A&E 4 times though.

Reply 21

shiggydiggy

Original post by Demonicham

Alot. only been to A&E 4 times though.

Only? Perhaps you've lost perspective, but most young adults would say that they have maybe attended A&E 0-2 times in their lifetime (maybe excluding keen sportsmen).

How many times do you think you've seen your GP with a new complaint?

Reply 22

Rum Ham

You asked how long a referral takes, well if cancer is suspected by your GP, not just you, you can expect to see a specialist (probably someone from ENT) at your local clinic or hospital within a fortnight. Any other referrrals can take up to 8 weeks.

I was convinced I had mouth cancer recently. I had 2 lumps on my tongue that just wouldn't budge and the area around them turned scaly and lighter, turned out it was just scar tissue from an ulcer I had the month before.

I don't think there is any way to speed up getting an appointment with a specialist through your GP unless ut seems really urgent. My papa usually gets next day appointments with specialists because of his kidney.

I'm a hypocrite because I am currently doing this too but please try and refrain from Googling your symptoms. I know its easier said than done, believe me, but at the end of the day, getting all panicky and making yourself ill isn't gonna help the problem you may have, it may just cause more problems.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 23

dancingpanda

I doubt it is cancer. Most of the time people who get all worked up thinking they have cancer end up not having it and those that think what they have is nothing, turns out to be cancer! Just try and stay calm and keep any future appointments you have coming up

Reply 24

Demonicham

Well, I'm still waiting on my ENT appointment as I haven't heard anything back. my voice is unusually hoarse and shaky and the pitch has changed quite abit. and the lump in the throat is still there, even after taking several tablets like penicillin and even tablets for acid reflux. nothing is working and now I'm getting pains under my armpits where my lymph nodes are, as well as the swelling I'm getting in my lymph nodes in the neck, which is where I've been getting pains as well.

The doctor clearly didn't suspect cancer or else I would've heard back from them by now, but I just can't think of anything else that this could be as it's lasted so long.

Reply 25

hslt

Original post by Demonicham

Cancers of the mouth and throat are rare, even in 70 year old smokers and drinkers (where the incidence peaks).

Bilateral swollen painful lymph nodes sounds like infection/inflammation to me - an abscess for example or chronic tonsillitis. Could be a pharyngeal pouch.

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Reply 26

BeanofJelly

Original post by Demonicham

The doctor clearly didn't suspect cancer or else I would've heard back from them by now, but I just can't think of anything else that this could be as it's lasted so long.

Unfortunately, persistent symptoms in the throat are quite common and there often isn't a very clear medical explanation for them.

A sensation of persistent lump in the throat is termed "globus sensation" and is really common in ENT clinic. It is often accompanied by swallowing difficulties, and if there is throat infection/viral cold symptoms present or triggering, it would not be unusual to have some swollen, sore nodes too. Soreness and tenderness of multiple nodes is a sign that they are benign and caused by a virus.

No amount of medication will relieve a viral illness. You have to wait them out.

Globus sensation may be a response to stress, or triggered by a cold or acid reflux. Some people's throats just react in a very adverse way to infection and inflammation or even stress. It seems that the muscles do not coordinate properly in this condition, and that the throat may become sensitised. Fortunately the throat can be "retrained" so the condition may improve.

I think this may be the problem that you have, as it is such a common cause of throat symptoms, especially in young people. However - you will be thoroughly checked for other causes and problems when you attend ENT clinic. Hopefully they will have a solution for you.

I notice your GP has already initiated what treatment they can (nasal spray and anti-reflux). These might not be helping if those aren't the particular triggers for your symptoms, or they just need more time. It is worth persisting with these at least until your ENT appointment I think.

Of course it is frustrating and worrying to have to wait for your appointment, unfortunately that is the only way a strained service can work. I hope you will be feeling much better once you have been seen.

It is exceptionally unlikely, even unheard of for someone in your age group with no risk factors to have throat cancer. This is why you do not need an urgent referral. I think you need to trust the judgement of your GP.

Reply 27

xXxBaby-BooxXx

Original post by Watch Key Phone

If you're really worried, just go to A&E.

Why, when it is neither an accident or an emergency?

A&E is not the place to go just because you feel like you aren't getting what you want from other healthcare settings. It is where you go when you have an accident, or an emergency.

They don't have time to see people with chronic problems, so even if they did go, the doctors would realise there was nothing acutely wrong and send the OP on their way, who would have then wasted X many hours sat in the waiting room...

Reply 28

lileliza

Hi, sorry to hear about your throat problems. I agree with the above commentors, highly doubtful it is throat cancer but obviously not impossible. It doesn't relate to the other symptoms but the lump in throat can be either due to stress or acid reflux as I've had it on several occasions. I wouldn't worry because that could be making your symptoms worse. If you're really worried get yourself referred again.

Reply 29

Demonicham

I feel as if I can't relax until I find out what's causing these symptoms. I just can't shake the feeling that something that needs diagnosing will eventually cause a worsening of my symptoms, and when it comes to get treatment for the big c if it turns out to be that, It might be too late for me, and it turns out I could've gotten it treated if I caught it earlier. I just want to see my ENT, check my throat out, if it's not cancer, great, then I can move on and think nothing more of it, but if it is, then I can get it treated early if they'll even freaking let me be seen. Doctors keep discounting cancer but like people say, it's not impossible. life isn't fair and things like this do happen, regardless of how unlikely it is. I don't want to let anything like this happen to me. but I feel like I've been shoved back just to get checked for something that could turn out to be life threatening.

Reply 30

shiggydiggy

Original post by Demonicham

Think a psychologist would probably be more helpful than the ENT boys, bro.

Reply 31

Demonicham

Original post by shiggydiggy

Think a psychologist would probably be more helpful than the ENT boys, bro.

So you're saying I should just ignore it?

Reply 32

Watch Key Phone

Original post by xXxBaby-BooxXx

I would say that coughing up blood or struggling to breathe would be classed as an emergency.

Reply 33

Demonicham

I would also like to add that there are several lumps in my neck that I can feel, such as a fairly large one on the back of my neck. I don't think its a lymph node as there are no lymph nodes in the back of your neck are there?

Reply 34

Rum Ham

Yes there are lymph nodes at the back of the head/neck. They are called the occipital lymph nodes.

Reply 35

User1214833

Original post by iheartdjokovic

Just remembered this thread from a while back... http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2062289

It seems like you might be letting your health worries get the better of you again

A brain tumour and now throat cancer? How unfortunate.

OP have you ever thought about seeing a psychiatrist? I don't mean that in a flippant way; you are letting anxiety get the better of you.

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Reply 36

shiggydiggy

Original post by Demonicham

So you're saying I should just ignore it?

No, I'm saying you should address your health anxiety by discussing it with a mental health practitioner.

Reply 37

happyinthehaze

I have all the symptoms of suspected throat cancer, everywhere you look, you'll see these being the symptoms (these also are the symptoms I have)

You are obviously worried about this, and understandably. Why not call MacMillan's advice and support line? They may be able to help you address you concerns and know what they are talking about. They are on 0808 808 0000. (not weekends)

Also - have a look at the Embarrassing Bodies website at Channel 4 - it is very good and even though the show is slanted towards people's bumpy unmentionables, the thinking and research behind the website is proper.

Lastly, have a think about getting some grief counselling to talk through the death of your mum - it is hard to lose a parent at your age.

Good luck

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 38

Jenn.

Original post by Demonicham

I told him my fears of cancer and they explained that since I don't smoke or chew tobacco, and the fact that I'm 22 years old, means that I almost certainly don't have throat cancer

Just because you are 22 doesn't mean you can't have cancer at this age! :nah:

My cousin was 14 when he was diagnosed with cancer!

Reply 39

shiggydiggy

Original post by happyinthehaze

You are obviously worried about this, and understandably. Why not call MacMillan's advice and support line? They may be able to help you address you concerns and know what they are talking about. They are on 0808 808 0000. (not weekends)

I don't think that using this support line without a diagnosis is appropriate at all. MacMillan struggle with limited resources as it is without calls from patients without a diagnosis. In addition, they will be very reluctant to actually give any advice other than to wait for the referral.