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Throat cancer worries! ongoing lump in throat for 2 months.
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Original post by BeanofJelly
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.
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.
Original post by shiggydiggy
Think a psychologist would probably be more helpful than the ENT boys, bro.
Original post by shiggydiggy
No, I'm saying you should address your health anxiety by discussing it with a mental health practitioner.
Original post by 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.
Can you please take on what other people are saying to you. You have health anxiety/hypochondriasis. That much is completely obvious to us all. Your symptoms could be caused by a huge number of things, but finding a diagnosis is not easy and your GPs and ENT specialists are doing what they can for you. They haven't referred you to cancer specialists because the likelihood of your symptoms being cancer are extremely low and it wouldn't be worth seeing a cancer specialist. If you do insist on wanting to see a cancer specialist for your symptoms, you'll probably have to go private and be prepared to fork out lots of money.
I think the big thing here is your heath anxiety and your stress. Stress is causing your symptoms and the worsening of said symptoms. It would worth looking into bereavement services as one of the above users mentioned as this could act as a release for a lot of your stress.
Another point is to just wait a while. Our bodies are incredible machines that can in many domains repair ourselves to a great extent if given enough time and care. Your symptoms will likely improve with time, especially if you continue with the treatment the doctors are prescribing.
To reiterate; the chances of you having cancer are extremely low. Don't worry, be happy.
Original post by Jenn.
Just because you are 22 doesn't mean you can't have cancer at this age! 
My cousin was 14 when he was diagnosed with cancer!
My cousin was 14 when he was diagnosed with cancer!The chances of getting cancer at a young age are very low though. Sure it does happen, but the doctor in the message you quoted wasn't saying it doesn't occur, just that it is very unlikely.
If you're worried about it so much why not just get a scan on the private, skip the weeks waiting on the nhs
Original post by skotch
The chances of getting cancer at a young age are very low though. Sure it does happen, but the doctor in the message you quoted wasn't saying it doesn't occur, just that it is very unlikely.
The chances of getting cancer at a young age are very low though. Sure it does happen, but the doctor in the message you quoted wasn't saying it doesn't occur, just that it is very unlikely.
I know that the chances of getting a cancer at a young age are extremely low. I was just saying that this 1% risk should still be taken into account.
Could it be that your nymph nodes are inflamed ? if it is a tumor you need to get it checked immediately.
Original post by Jenn.
Just because you are 22 doesn't mean you can't have cancer at this age! My cousin was 14 when he was diagnosed with cancer!
My cousin was 14 when he was diagnosed with cancer!There are certain cancers that only affect young people, and certain cancers that pretty much only affect those >50/60 - to get cancer as an adolescent is not surprising, to get mouth and throat cancer as a young adult or child who doesn't drink or smoke is incredulous (but not impossible).
Original post by Jenn.
I know that the chances of getting a cancer at a young age are extremely low. I was just saying that this 1% risk should still be taken into account.
Agreed - but we're not talking about a 1% risk here.
If they had symptoms linked to cancers actually found in young people you might be near a 1% risk, but here you're not.
Original post by River85
We aren't talking cancer generally here, but throat cancer specifically. I'm not a doctor but I wager the chances of getting throat cancer as an otherwise fit young person, without a history of smoking (including cannabis) is far, far lower than 1%.
This guy/gal gets it!
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by Jenn.
I know that the chances of getting a cancer at a young age are extremely low. I was just saying that this 1% risk should still be taken into account.
We aren't talking cancer generally here, but throat cancer specifically. I'm not a doctor but I wager the chances of getting throat cancer as an otherwise fit young person, without a history of smoking (including cannabis) is far, far lower than 1%. The chances are incredibly slim indeed.
Hey OP, have had similar symptoms to yourself for a while now. It initially started with a feeling of a lump in my throat and also pain in the side of my neck. Then progressed to having a horse voice like yourself, and ear pain. It took me 5 trips to the GP to eventually get an urgent ENT appointment. They put a camera down my throat and also did an MRI scan. (after over 8 weeks) - Came back clear and they are putting this down to acid reflux. I never seem to feel any kind of heartburn but apparently this can happen when you sleep without even noticing it. I have been on anti acids for a while now and it is definitely helping, but it has taken a few weeks for these to kick in. The fact that you say you have a burning feeling in your throat as well sounds similar to what I was experiencing when I woke up sometimes. Still get it checked out but try not to worry too much because it is soo unlikely to be anything major. I also found that worrying about it made the pain and the lump feeling soo much worse (globus). Im sure you'll be fine!
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by River85
We aren't talking cancer generally here, but throat cancer specifically. I'm not a doctor but I wager the chances of getting throat cancer as an otherwise fit young person, without a history of smoking (including cannabis) is far, far lower than 1%. The chances are incredibly slim indeed.
Original post by hslt
There are certain cancers that only affect young people, and certain cancers that pretty much only affect those >50/60 - to get cancer as an adolescent is not surprising, to get mouth and throat cancer as a young adult or child who doesn't drink or smoke is incredulous (but not impossible).
Agreed - but we're not talking about a 1% risk here.
If they had symptoms linked to cancers actually found in young people you might be near a 1% risk, but here you're not.
This guy/gal gets it!
Agreed - but we're not talking about a 1% risk here.
If they had symptoms linked to cancers actually found in young people you might be near a 1% risk, but here you're not.
This guy/gal gets it!
Of course, it was not a throat cancer. They are relatively rare in young 'healthy' people, I agree.
Original post by shiggydiggy
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.
Hi Shiggydiggy
Do you volunteer for MacMillan's support line or work for the charity? If so, you must be in a good place to define what is an appropriate use of your service, or indeed be so clear about what volunteer workers will be 'reluctant' to do.
Just in case you don't work for the charity, perhaps you should be more circumspect about who they will and won't talk to. I strongly suspect you have not done anything like the work they do yourself. If you had, you could not have posted what you did.
No-one is saying the OP has cancer - but he or she is clearly very worried.
[h="2"]Questions about cancer?[/h]
Original post by happyinthehaze
Hi Shiggydiggy
Do you volunteer for MacMillan's support line or work for the charity? If so, you must be in a good place to define what is an appropriate use of your service, or indeed be so clear about what volunteer workers will be 'reluctant' to do.
Just in case you don't work for the charity, perhaps you should be more circumspect about who they will and won't talk to. I strongly suspect you have not done anything like the work they do yourself. If you had, you could not have posted what you did.
No-one is saying the OP has cancer - but he or she is clearly very worried.
Questions about cancer?
Do you volunteer for MacMillan's support line or work for the charity? If so, you must be in a good place to define what is an appropriate use of your service, or indeed be so clear about what volunteer workers will be 'reluctant' to do.
Just in case you don't work for the charity, perhaps you should be more circumspect about who they will and won't talk to. I strongly suspect you have not done anything like the work they do yourself. If you had, you could not have posted what you did.
No-one is saying the OP has cancer - but he or she is clearly very worried.
Questions about cancer?
I don't work for the charity, no. But I have worked with MacMillan nurses fairly extensively in clinical settings and have been involved in the care of a decent number of cancer patients, both in the community and on the wards.
Please feel free to enlighten me as to how the support line will help OP, given the fact that he has no cancer diagnosis and is not likely to receive one. Perhaps I'm missing something.
(edited 10 years ago)
Demonicham - you have mutliple red flags in your opening post for throat cancer and should have a 2 week wait referral based upon your information.
But
I cannot help but think the symptoms you describe are simply too textbook. Especially when reading the long thread details your brain cancer fears from several months ago.
That is where clinical examination comes in. Objective findings versus subjective findings.
But
I cannot help but think the symptoms you describe are simply too textbook. Especially when reading the long thread details your brain cancer fears from several months ago.
That is where clinical examination comes in. Objective findings versus subjective findings.
Original post by 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?
Until you've been to a specialist and got results, I can say to you that googling stuff (from my own experience with anxiety) actually made it a million times worse, it just puts things in your head and the more you talk about it the worse it's going to seem
Posted from TSR Mobile
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2345850
You had the camera put down your throat here and you say they said it was clear. Perhaps at this stage your doctor just recognises that you have real health anxiety and so does not feel it necessary to refer you urgently - looking at your post history you seem to have had a huge amount of diagnostics/health related scares in the last few years.
If you're that worried pay for private investigations I'd say. I worked for a private healthcare company and if you have a policy you should call to see if it's covered OR see about self funding with a private hosp. But really, you've had extensive diagnostics and it seems as though this is psychological.
Posted from TSR Mobile
You had the camera put down your throat here and you say they said it was clear. Perhaps at this stage your doctor just recognises that you have real health anxiety and so does not feel it necessary to refer you urgently - looking at your post history you seem to have had a huge amount of diagnostics/health related scares in the last few years.
If you're that worried pay for private investigations I'd say. I worked for a private healthcare company and if you have a policy you should call to see if it's covered OR see about self funding with a private hosp. But really, you've had extensive diagnostics and it seems as though this is psychological.
Posted from TSR Mobile
So you're saying the chances of it being cancer are less than 1%?
Currently, my hoarse voice is actually getting worse, with this constant lingering croak accompanying my sore throat and difficulty swallowing my food. also, talking causes my vocal cords to become even more sore and my voice will get even croakier after only a few conversations.
On occasions, the back of my throat will feel raw and dry, and there is a wheeze on the tip of my breath.
If this isn't cancer, and there is a condition that causes prolonged throat symptoms for over 2 months in a healthy young individual, please, enlighten me, so I can relax, otherwise, I'm going to worry myself to death here.
Currently, my hoarse voice is actually getting worse, with this constant lingering croak accompanying my sore throat and difficulty swallowing my food. also, talking causes my vocal cords to become even more sore and my voice will get even croakier after only a few conversations.
On occasions, the back of my throat will feel raw and dry, and there is a wheeze on the tip of my breath.
If this isn't cancer, and there is a condition that causes prolonged throat symptoms for over 2 months in a healthy young individual, please, enlighten me, so I can relax, otherwise, I'm going to worry myself to death here.
Original post by Demonicham
If this isn't cancer, and there is a condition that causes prolonged throat symptoms for over 2 months in a healthy young individual, please, enlighten me, so I can relax, otherwise, I'm going to worry myself to death here.
If this isn't cancer, and there is a condition that causes prolonged throat symptoms for over 2 months in a healthy young individual, please, enlighten me, so I can relax, otherwise, I'm going to worry myself to death here.
People have already told you in this thread that they've shared similar symptoms and it turned out to be nothing to worry about. Although the symptoms lasted for quite a few weeks, they soon cleared especially with diagnosis and treatment/patience.
Your GP, who I am fairly sure is perfectly competent, experienced, and has quite a number of years of medical education behind him/her, clearly recognises the chances are very slim indeed.
You can have a look yourself at statistics which show the ages of those diagnoses with throat cancer. Healthy men in their early 20s are exceptionally unlikely to develop throat cancer for no "reason".
Original post by Demonicham
So you're saying the chances of it being cancer are less than 1%?
Currently, my hoarse voice is actually getting worse, with this constant lingering croak accompanying my sore throat and difficulty swallowing my food. also, talking causes my vocal cords to become even more sore and my voice will get even croakier after only a few conversations.
On occasions, the back of my throat will feel raw and dry, and there is a wheeze on the tip of my breath.
If this isn't cancer, and there is a condition that causes prolonged throat symptoms for over 2 months in a healthy young individual, please, enlighten me, so I can relax, otherwise, I'm going to worry myself to death here.
Currently, my hoarse voice is actually getting worse, with this constant lingering croak accompanying my sore throat and difficulty swallowing my food. also, talking causes my vocal cords to become even more sore and my voice will get even croakier after only a few conversations.
On occasions, the back of my throat will feel raw and dry, and there is a wheeze on the tip of my breath.
If this isn't cancer, and there is a condition that causes prolonged throat symptoms for over 2 months in a healthy young individual, please, enlighten me, so I can relax, otherwise, I'm going to worry myself to death here.
You are not listening.
I suggest that you read some of the previous replies to your posts.
Some great advice has already been given by qualified medical professionals
Hi, I know you've tried to recognise that you may be overly concerned about it, but it's often hard to realise QUITE how much you worry compared to normal simply because you don't see it from an outside perspective ever.
But the image above is a print screen of all your threads in the past. I hope it might show you that maybe the problem isn't necessarily physical, but is mental health, as you always express that you are concerned about something in terms of health and there is a HUGE variety of threads on there where you're talking about different concerns you deem at the time to be life threatening but they obviously (as you're still alive) turn out to be not what you think they are. Mental health can also cause physical symptoms too. Particularly a lump in the throat! People always talk about having a lump in their throat when they're stressed. And stress causes unexplained swellings or you to perceive things as swellings or physical when they're actually not.
Go through with your investigations for your throat but please, put some priority on seeking counselling and psychiatric help and at least in the mean time try to focus on how you've been deadly worried in the past (like with you suspecting you had a brain tumour) and it all turned out ok in the end, and so will this. Even, on the very small chance it is a physical issue such as inflammation or even cancer, it is more than likely treatable and in the mean time stressing yourself won't work and won't get anyone to see you any faster (going to a&e WON'T help, it's for emergencies, cancer is not an acute emergency), and in fact will make you feel a lot worse. Focus on how it was fine before, and will be fine now.
None of TSR (or indeed, the internet) can give you medical advice, and even when they can they won't be able to provide you with the answer you want (i.e. your diagnosis and prognosis), as such please seek alternative care (counselling) and wait for your tests and visit with the ENT. Your constant researching for symptoms and diagnoses on the internet is clearly making you worse as you're convincing yourself into having them and having the worse case scenario, and the internet itself can't diagnose you, and neither can you.
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by Demonicham
Hello.
Since the beginning of December I have had this big lump in throat feeling that has been obstructing food in my throat, sometimes I'll have to regurgitate alot of my food and try to reswallow it several times to get it all down, and recently I have experienced other very distressing symptoms such as ear pain, tickly cough that has brought up blood on a few occasions, difficulty swallowing, and this husky voice that won't go away.
I have been to see a few doctors about this and they examined my throat said they saw inflammation and catarrh on the back of my throat and said it was the aftermath of a viral infection and should clear up relatively soon, that was 3 weeks ago, and since then, symptoms have gotten much worse. whenever I swallow, it literally feels like a marble in my throat, and it doesn't go away.
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, however it actually feels like there's a lump in my throat, as whenever I push on the left side of my windpipe, where the lump is, it gets all irritated and I cough, as to where I do on the right side, I don't feel anything.
So I went back to the doctors and they referred me over to ENT but said that it is very unlikely to be cancer. however, the referral is apparently going to take weeks, by which time, this problem could be so much worse.
They tell yo almost everywhere that to get a better chance of recovery, you need to get it seen early, and I'm being made to wait weeks? I feel powerless right now.
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)
Thankfully, I haven't lost any weight, so that reassures me a little bit. however, I want to address this problem as soon as possible but I am being made to wait.
What are the chances of me having throat cancer at my age? should I stop worrying about it being cancer and just power through the symptoms until my appointment? I am at wits end and I don't know what to do.
Since the beginning of December I have had this big lump in throat feeling that has been obstructing food in my throat, sometimes I'll have to regurgitate alot of my food and try to reswallow it several times to get it all down, and recently I have experienced other very distressing symptoms such as ear pain, tickly cough that has brought up blood on a few occasions, difficulty swallowing, and this husky voice that won't go away.
I have been to see a few doctors about this and they examined my throat said they saw inflammation and catarrh on the back of my throat and said it was the aftermath of a viral infection and should clear up relatively soon, that was 3 weeks ago, and since then, symptoms have gotten much worse. whenever I swallow, it literally feels like a marble in my throat, and it doesn't go away.
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, however it actually feels like there's a lump in my throat, as whenever I push on the left side of my windpipe, where the lump is, it gets all irritated and I cough, as to where I do on the right side, I don't feel anything.
So I went back to the doctors and they referred me over to ENT but said that it is very unlikely to be cancer. however, the referral is apparently going to take weeks, by which time, this problem could be so much worse.
They tell yo almost everywhere that to get a better chance of recovery, you need to get it seen early, and I'm being made to wait weeks? I feel powerless right now.
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)
•
Ear pain
•
Burning sensation at the back of my throat
•
Feeling of having something solid in the throat constantly
•
Dry, tickly cough
•
A husky, hoarse voice that's lasted over 3 weeks
•
Swallowing difficulties
•
Coughing up blood on occasions
•
Pains on both sides of my neck
•
Painful throat when swallowing
Thankfully, I haven't lost any weight, so that reassures me a little bit. however, I want to address this problem as soon as possible but I am being made to wait.
What are the chances of me having throat cancer at my age? should I stop worrying about it being cancer and just power through the symptoms until my appointment? I am at wits end and I don't know what to do.
Get it checked. Throat cancer in males is on the increase for going down on their women
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/oral-cancers-hpv-epidemic-men-preventable-article-1.1361894
Original post by fred292
Get it checked. Throat cancer in males is on the increase for going down on their women
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/oral-cancers-hpv-epidemic-men-preventable-article-1.1361894
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/oral-cancers-hpv-epidemic-men-preventable-article-1.1361894
Sorry, but I really don't think this is at all appropriate. First of all, Michael Douglas is far from a young man. Throat cancer IS very rare in young males, typically affecting men who are past middle age. Also that article makes a direct link to oral sex and HPV which, one can assume, is not relevant to the OP who's made to reference to oral sex.
The OP is getting it checked and, unless I'm mistaken, has already had some tests which show nothing is obviously wrong. Telling him that it's on the rise in men is only going to increase his anxieties, which have very little foundation, even further.
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