Getting a diagnosis of throat/oral cancer

Hello,

I was wondering if someone can point me in the right direction.

In November 2018, I started with a persistent sore throat and the feeling of having something stuck in my throat like a lump. I also had a few patches on the back of my throat. I went to the GP where they said it was a simple sore throat and it will go on it’s own, did a strep throat test which was negative and concluded that the patches were cobblestone throat and again would go on there own.

After 2 weeks, I returned to the GP with the same symptoms where they referred me to an ENT specialist. In Dec 18. He examined me and I had the camera up my nose and down my throat and he said I was suffering with stress and anxiety causing the globus sensation and silent reflux. Prescribed me with some lansoprazole to go away with which haven’t made any difference whatsoever. I noticed a small white patch on my left tonsil and also a small white/yellow patch on the side of my tongue (no bigger than a taste bud at the moment). I have visited the dentist also and mentioned these but get the same response of “it’s no concern”.

I am still suffering with the same symptoms, I have been back to my GP and have been told to have a fasting blood test in 2 weeks time. Has anyone had any other experiences of being diagnosed with everything before reaching the actual diagnosis and how long did it take? I feel like I am banging my head against a brick wall when trying to explain how I feel and my symptoms.

I don’t know if it makes any difference but I did have high grade cells removed from my cervix in the summer of 2017 so now I don’t know if I am just putting 2 and 2 together  

Sorry for my ramble lol 

  • Hi 

    I have been having very similar symptoms like a feeling of something stuck in throat and some sore/burning throat/mouth since Oct last year. All started after the molar tooth extraction. I saw oral surgeon in Dec and he he the scope but couldn’t see anything in throat. I was told to have Globus. I left everything for a month and went to see ENT privately. He checked the throat and couldn’t see anything apart from some scar tissue that built up after tonsillectomy (I had this is Aug last year). I was put on antibiotics for two weeks. It kind of helped but not completely. Again I waited a bit and a few weeks back I went to GP. I had a test for some bacteria but it all came back clear. I go to GP tomorrow but it seems no one understands what I am trying to say. I have been on anti reflux med for a few weeks but I still cannot figure it out whether it makes any change or not.

  • I am glad it’s not just me as I just feel that the longer this goes on, the worse it is going to be. I know I don’t have an actual diagnosis but after reading forums, researching on my own and seeing pictures, because I am not getting any answers, everything points to the same thing which is oral or tongue cancers. 

    I am hoping that this post will give some further information in regards to diagnosis from the first GP appt and hopefully information about how long it actually took to get that diagnosis and the start of any treatment. 

    I think the reason for the post is more that the GP has ordered the fasting bloods for me in 2 weeks as they say my problems are down to being diabetic or anemic... 

  • Hiya nikmik, Just wondered how you got on today at the GP. I have managed to get a cancellation for my blood tests for this Friday now so I hoping to get some further answers. New symptom for me today as it feels like I am constantly sucking a lemon which is strange... the tingling feeling you get after something sour. It’s driving me up the wall haha Hope it went okay
  • Hello there, 

    I’ve been experiencing similar symptoms like a lump on the left side of my neck around the middle, neck pain and ear pain as well and sometimes my jaw will hurt too.

    I’ve also been experiencing some dizziness, headaches and weakness in my arms and legs and always feel tired, I get tingling and pain in my shoulder/arms too. I’m not sure if it’s connected but I also get quite bad joint pain all over my body (ankles, fingers, wrists).

    I’ve not been to the doctors yet because I currently go to university but I’m away from home for another 3 weeks! I’m not sure what to do and I’m scared it could be something serious. I do tend to get quite anxious about these things and google has been no help as cancer keeps popping up.

    I’m only 19 and funnily enough im a medical student as well, this has really impacted my studies as I can’t seem to focus on anything else. It’s nice to know there are people in the same boat and such a huge support platform.

  • hiya,

    try to get to the drs and get it checked out. Do not google! I made that mistake and my stress and anxiety went through the roof and made my symptoms worse.

    i had my ultrasound on my throat today and they found nothing but the sonographer did say my lymph nodes in my neck are prominent so now to wait another week for the full results/report  

    Now to wait for another scope on the 18th April and see if that brings anything up. I am also waiting for an appt for a biopsy which seems to be taking a lifetime to come through.

    hope you get some answers soon 

  • Hi, I have all of the symptoms that you have mentioned, I do not wish them upon anyone, it feels like no doctor understands, did you get a diagnosis?

  • Did you get your results? Hope your well. I am having the same sort of symptoms. Sore throat just on the left the feeling of something stuck in my throat 1 swollen lymph node for 12m that's been scanned once but the repeat scan they requested didn't happen because of covid and a really horrible earchache in the left ear. im currently on a 7 day antibiotic and if nothing helps then it will be a refurral to ent. 
    x

  • Hi all,

    reading through all of your posts I felt I had to join conversation.

    my husband is having similar symptoms as it all started about 6 weeks ago he had a sore throat which came on during a cold in February this year. His symptoms were really bad throat pain like a blister ear pain and all on the side of his head and neck, swollen throat and wanting too clear it all of the time too.He went to the doctors and had a telephone consultation with the doctor who gave him antibiotics and told to gargle with aspirin. Week later no change so called the doctor again, another call back with the nurse who gave him more antibiotics and the same the next week. The forth week I called and said he needed to see a doctor as covid 19 is around the doctors don't want to see him. Finally doctor called and got him in the same day for blood tests and referral to ent clinic asap. So consultant called the same day and my husband had an endoscopy on Monday but pain was so severe for him he now is waiting for a general anaesthetic for a closer look and a biopsy, as a white nodule shaped like a kidney bean as my husband describes it was seen. The consultant wasn't sure what it was so that's why he is going in for this. I have called the doctor today for pain relief as my husband can only eat soup or spaghetti and even water hurts, sleep is only for a few hours at a time for both of us. Blood results apparently were good no signs of cancer but can't rule this out as the consultant said. I am so anxious and understand all of your posts as people think you've just got a sore throat. I just want someone to give us answers and I know this will come in time, hope you all get answers soon too and I will update on my husband's diagnosis when I have answers.

    take care

  • Hi

    Just wondered if the antibiotics helped or if you got an ENT appointment?  I've had a 3.5cm lymph node in my neck for 7 weeks and now for the past 2 weeks have a lump on my tonsil, tonsil itself doesnt look swollen.  I have the ear pain, some jaw pain, throat not particularly painful but constantly clearing it, like a post nasal drip.  I have an appointment for a biopsy on 21 May, so fingers crossed.

    Pamela

  • Hi, I've had exactly the same symptoms as you, I've felt so hopeless with explaining the issues as there seems to be so many. It all started with a cold/flu in Feb, I've been to the doctor with dizziness, headaches, weakness, joint pain, and globus feeling. I don't feel that any doctors have taken me seriously after my first visit which put everything down to a cold or anxiety. Iys now the end of May and I haven't really seen any change, I'm not anxious about anything. I see you posted over a year ago, did you find out the issue, or have your symptoms now improved? I'm 25 years old, and always been healthy otherwise.

    Thanks :)