Possible Throat Cancer

Hi

I was diagnosed in oct 14 the only symptom i had was a small lump in my neck I would go see you GP as soon as you can so you can fins out what is giving you these symptoms it may not be cancer but if it is then they can get you on the path off treatment

Good luck

Wiggo

Wiggo said it, go see your GP ASAP!

When I went to see mine it was actually for a pain in my wrist which I could barely feel in the waiting room so I felt a bit silly; decided to ask him about the little lump in my neck so I didn't appear to be wasting his time. Wrist was rapidly fading tendinitis (though thanks heavens I got it or I'd not have been there) while my neck got his immediate attention and I got an fast track appt at ENT.

(Full story in my blog below if you're ever really bored).

Ninety nine times out of a hundred these things are not cancer but get it checked.

Hi there,

There is another thing that I would add to this.  I saw four different GPs before I got a diagnosis, and that was when I had an enlarged tonsil that resembled a floret of cauliflower.  I was given antibiotics, a possible diagnosis of quinsy, stronger antibiotics, "go home and wait two weeks, and then come back if it hasn't got better", and finally I saw a GP who recognised what he was seeing and got me to the ENT department the same day.

I hope very much it is not a cancer, but please don't be fobbed off - if the GP doesn't know 100% what it is, then insist on being referred to the ENT department at hospital for them to check it out.  It is better to have a check and find that it is nothing, than not to have it looked at and it turn out to be something which would have benefitted from being dealt with much sooner.

Best wishes,

Josie

Hello Trooper1977, please take the other guys advice and see your GP a.s.a.p so they can fast track you to see a consultant so you can check it out . I gather you have been looking these things up on the internet as well which is ok but it needs to be checked . All the best in getting a quick appointment .

                                                              Chris

I was interested in your story Josie. I went to my GP quite early on. I was only in a small amount of discomfort, not real pain and no lump. I would normally have ignored it for a lot longer, but my mum had died 10 months earlier from throat cancer which she ignored for so long that by the time I called the GP against her wishes, it was terminal. I went to my GP fully expecting to be told it was infection or a harmless cyst or something similar, but my GP did an urgent referral to ENT immediately. Turned out to be cancer but because of the prompt response it was still tiny and hadn't spread. My nurse specialist said I had my GP to thank for acting so quickly because many would have tried 3 or 4 courses of antibiotics first, during which time it could have been growing and spreading.

I was very lucky with my GP as well as I've probably said before. He got me a fast-track referral even though I didn't strictly speaking fit the criteria set down by whatever body comes up with them. 

My only hiccup was after my initial ENT appt I was referred to have an ultrasound and needle biopsy very soon afterwards and the doctor there said, after doing the scan, that he'd seen thousands of cases like mine and the chances of it being cancer were negligible so he saw no need in inflicting unnecessary pain on me by doing the biopsy. At the time I was mightily relieved obviously but a few days later I got a call from the original doc saying a biopsy was needed so I went for one (and it did hurt).

The doctor who told we all was fine was obviously very experienced, probably my age (mid fifties) and the one who pulled rank was a much younger woman, thank goodness she did!

So I actually got lucky twice.  

I went to my Dr with a lumpy tonsil...a bit of pain but nothing serious

After an antibiotic did nothing for it I went back and asked to be referred to ENT ...ORL here in France

There followed a biopsy, scans, scans and more scans....a diagnosis of HPV16 cancer....caught very early, for which I am now undergoing treatment.

Never hesitate, never wait...get in there fast. If it is nothing...that is a fantastic bonus

The medical staff are still asking me how I found it so early....gut instinct perhaps....who knows

Visit the doctor (throat cancer specialist) ASAP. If you are not able to swallow anything and there is severe pain. Only then you'll be able to find out what is it?

It is better to get a diagnosis to avoid future risks as it is really painful to treat disease at a later stage. I hope it will be a not a serious problem but still, getting diagnosis ASAP is the best for your own well being.

Go to your GP.  I had no symptoms other than a lump in my neck.  They took this seriously and I was listened to and treated with dignity.  They are the experts - not us!

We can help you understand what is happening based on our experiences once you have a diagnosis, but get that diagnosis ASAP.

Fingers crossed that its nothing serious.

Trooper posted this three years ago and nothing after so I presume he’s ok. Timely advice nevertheless