Hello Gjb, 

I'm sorry to hear about the symptoms you've been experiencing and can understand your need to finding out what it is causing it. If you're concerned about the results that have come back so far maybe you could ask your medical team if it would be possible to have biopsies taken from other locations of your oropharynx? One of our lovely members here on the forum, [@Vatch]‍, has had experience of tongue based cancer and now that I've tagged him in this post hopefully he will be along soon to share his advice and experiences with you.

I hope this helps Gjb and you are able to find out the cause of your symptoms soon.

All the best, 

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

I have thought over my post an wasn't going to say, although now on hindsight I feel I shld, 

After much trauma I was diagnosed with cancer to the base of tongue and sylivary glands an complicated  surgery and maximum Radiotherapy, who knows the extent of it may have been avoided if they had have found it sooner, it is difficult to diagnose but you must insist on biopsies 

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 

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. 

hi 

same here 

have you seen any doc or not

Apologies for the late replies, everyone.

Some updates since the last time.

I got a CT scan done in September 2019. Results came back 10 weeks later with no answers.

I got an  MRI done in February 2020. Results came back with no answers either.

So to round up at that point, I had 5 endoscopies, 1 CT and 1 MRI. None of which, had any answers.

June 2020, I was back for another endoscopy but again, nothing was found. As frustrating as this is, it is still kind of reassuring that nothing sinsiter was obvious. So they took blood for the first time in 18 months to see if they can look into it further.

I am now waiting on an appointment to get an ultrasound done. So I will keep you posted if anything changes.

They discussed possibly removing tonsils if it turns out to be a tonsils issue, but they think that might make things worse, especially if it turns out to be nothing to do with tonsils. They are looking into a possibilty of an issue with my saliva gland, which I think might be a possibility.

It's all guessing games still. And this is very frustrating, considering we are now 18 montjs down the line with 0 answers.