Diagnosing base of tongue cancer: pain in throat

Hi there 

Was hoping to hear from anyone who had base of tongue cancer with pain in throat as the primary symptom and had trouble being diagnosed (only 30% of people present with a sore throat I've read).

I have had a pain on the left side down my throat since Nov 16. Sometimes it's like a sharp pinch sometimes like a throbbing. More recently my left back teeth and gums ache and my left tongue hurts when eating. Sometimes pain swallowing. Left neck nodes slightly swollen but not hard or unmovable.

Scope showed swollen left lingual tonsil. Pet / ct half body showed nothing

Neck ultrasound and Fna showed a couple of reactive lymph nodes but shape was not deemed concerning and needle aspiration was negative.

Left sided lingual and palatine tonsil biopsy negative. Unfortunately biopsies were not taken from other locations of oropharynx. Thought that was the end of it. Then all my symptoms came back. Light throbbing pain on left of neck too. ENT keeps saying it's just post tonsillectomy but the pain is totally different and it's just getting worse.

  • Insist on biopsies, don't be afraid to persist

  • Hi Bella. Since my previous post, I’ve had another endoscopy and they still found nothing. I got a CT scan 2 weeks ago and still waiting for results. 

    I was told to call last week for results. I did but they said I’ve to call back next week as they wouldn’t be ready yet. 

    If the ct scan comes back with nothing, should I still push for biopsies?

  • I first time i had an endoscopy nothing was found, the second time which was 2years after was when they eventually ľfound the tumor., what they said to me was mine was very difficult yo detect it had been there years an started of low growing so by the time it was found it was a mature tumor an had become aggressive, which is why I had so many problems in  surgery an needed to have aggressive Radiotherapy I had dieticians, speech therapists, councillors, you name it a whole host of help, I cannot fault them they have been wonderful to me.  

    In answer to your question you know your own body an if you feel there is something going on, don't rest until you get to the bottom of it you are with it, ask them straight out why they haven't suggested biopsies, they are the exerts could be they have a valid answer, will give you peace of mind, You must speak it out to them, they need to know how you feel.

    Take care an praying for you 

  • I always worry that I am pestering them for no reason. My concern is that since my last post, the feeling in my neck and throat is still there, but it hasn't gotten any worse.

    The doctors keep putting it down as psychological pain. I am genuinely not that type of person to create pain. Especially for over 10 months now.

    I am hoping with the results of the CT Scan, if there is nothing there, they can give me my next step. Because if there is nothing detected in the scan, it doesn't make my symptoms disappear.

    Thanks

  • Maybe if you just let them know your concerns again they will let you see your scans an explain what you are looking at to put your mind at rest if they can't see anything where would they take biopsy from? 

  • Hi Barry,

    I am currently going through a nearly identical set of symptoms as you. Started off as right-sided tonsil pain in late June that then became a lump-like feeling (but no palpable or visible lump) and a feeling of muscle tension on that side very much exactly like you describe: "strange tingling sensation under my jaw, like it was going to cramp up, but it never cramped". At first I thought it was an infection and indeed I actually did end up having a kidney infection in August. However, the throat pain persisted and later, I noticed that my right nostril was also partially stuffy and I felt like a lump of phlegm on my right side as well that kept coming up.

    Thankfully my GPs took the issue more seriously than yours have and I was given an urgent cancer referral. Saw an ENT in early September but noticed nothing suspicious during the endoscopy. I have also not had any swollen lymph nodes, or neck lumps, although that side of my neck feels a bit swollen (to me at least). ENT did notice phlegm stuck at the back of my throat which was "consistent with reflux".

    I had an MRI a week and a half ago and am awaiting results. ENT prescribed a steroid nasal spray and reflux meds. I had a cold this weak and the throat pain has gotten tremendously worse so I do suspect that the culprit is sinus/nasal/reflux related although I won't deny that I'm still a bit stressed out at the possibility it might be cancer. The MRI will have the last word on that. I am somewhat reassured that none of the cases on this forum of throat/tonsil cancer have had initial symptoms like ours.

  • undergoing similar. was the mri you had of the face and neck? contrast or non contrast

  • what biopsies? doctors kepe refusing unless something shows. how do i get something to show

  • Hi I am Aisha I wake up this in the morring with a really sore tough and so through I can hardly move my tough it so sore it's at the top and bottom can any off ues give me advise thanks 

     

  • I am also really worried about cancer. 25 and I have been suffering with globus on the right side of my throat on and off for ages. However it's developed into swallowing issues. Feels like the food gets stuck when I swallow on the right side so having to chew and swallow on the left. Almost feels like I have a lump on my tonsil or the base of my tongue on that right side. I am taking Omeprazole as Zantac has been stopped. Really concerned and losing a lot of weight. Terrified it might be cancer.