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Throat cancer symptoms
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An_245566 posted:
I went to my GP complaining of months long vague throat and ear ache on one side -same spot always. Lymph node barely enlarged and seem to have blood trace ??? in sputum occasionally. Referred to ENT & have appt w/ ENT next week. Everything I've seen on the web points to cancer. I'm very very frightened.. Do you know of any benign conditions this can be? Female, 40's, never smoker, drink rarely(wine 2-5 per month) Thank you!
3 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Throat cancer symptomsI went to my GP complaining of months long vague throat and ear ache on one side -same spot always. Lymph node barely enlarged and seem to have blood trace ??? in sputum occasionally. Referred to ENT & have appt w/ ENT next week. Everything I've seen on the web points to cancer. I'm very very frightened.. Do you know of any benign conditions this can be? Female, 40's, never smoker, drink rarely(wine 2-5 per month) Thank you!
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Rod Moser, PA, PhD responded:
When a medical provider sees a patient with symptoms similar to yours, they must consider the most common causes (post-nasal drainage, allergies, reflux, etc.), and yes, they also must consider the more serious possibilities. It is normal to worry about cancer, but as a non-smoker, your risk is not very high.

There can be many causes of vague throat pain. Because of nerve pathways, throat pain can be referred to the ear, so this is common. Trace blood, assuming this is what you have seen, can originate from anywhere in the nasopharynx or mouth. Even simple inflammation can do this.

You are doing the proper step....seeing an ENT. There is a good chance that the ENT will order some diagnostic tests, and perhaps suggest that your nasopharynx be examined directly using a tiny, fiberoptic scope.
Report This| Share this:Throat cancer symptomsWhen a medical provider sees a patient with symptoms similar to yours, they must consider the most common causes (post-nasal drainage, allergies, reflux, etc.), and yes, they also must consider the more serious possibilities. It is normal to worry about cancer, but as a non-smoker, your risk is not very high.<br /><br />There can be many causes of vague throat pain. Because of nerve pathways, throat pain can be referred to the ear, so this is common. Trace blood, assuming this is what you have seen, can originate from anywhere in the nasopharynx or mouth. Even simple inflammation can do this. <br /> <br />You are doing the proper step....seeing an ENT. There is a good chance that the ENT will order some diagnostic tests, and perhaps suggest that your nasopharynx be examined directly using a tiny, fiberoptic scope.
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PhooPhoo7 responded:
I just had a simular situation, couldn't eat or drink. I went to prompt care twice, GP twice ER twice, the second ER visit I was taken by ambulance from work actually spitting up blood ( clots), had the same complaint as you have they kep telling me that the blood from irritation. thou I continued to tell them that I was seing fresh blood, so anyway while at the last er visit the ENT'S scoped my throat and found there to be a mass in which they thought was cancer, surgery was performed to remove the mass to have it biopsied, the ENT surgeon said if its cancer would be treatable. thank god it turned out to be an infection and i'm well on my way to recovery. the concern for me was I am an ex smoker. once you're seen by the ent you will have a peace of mind. good luck.
Report This| Share this:Throat cancer symptomsI just had a simular situation, couldn't eat or drink. I went to prompt care twice, GP twice ER twice, the second ER visit I was taken by ambulance from work actually spitting up blood ( clots), had the same complaint as you have they kep telling me that the blood from irritation. thou I continued to tell them that I was seing fresh blood, so anyway while at the last er visit the ENT'S scoped my throat and found there to be a mass in which they thought was cancer, surgery was performed to remove the mass to have it biopsied, the ENT surgeon said if its cancer would be treatable. thank god it turned out to be an infection and i'm well on my way to recovery. the concern for me was I am an ex smoker. once you're seen by the ent you will have a peace of mind. good luck.
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Rod Moser, PA, PhD replied to PhooPhoo7's response:
Excellent advice. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope you are doing well now.
Report This| Share this:Throat cancer symptomsExcellent advice. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope you are doing well now.
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