CancerCompass message board discussion started by Beavermatic on 1/25/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,9102,0.htm Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hello,Im a slightly overweight 24 yr old male who has been pretty fit most of his life and healthy. I've dipped (snuff) on and off for the past 7 or 8 years (and have quit numerous times, at one point for nearly a year), and smoked every now and then.... though I do not drink.For the past several months, I've had what appears to be slightly enlarged left tonsil, and some bumps behind the tonsil on the pharyngeal wall. I was hoping its just lympathic tissue, as I also have raised/reddish lingual tonsils on both sides of my tongue, but Im a bnit worried.The tonsil looks a bit puffy, and it has some white streaks on the top of it, like small white scratches. Had halitosis ( bad breath) for a while, seems to have went away, and that I ahve not had a dip in about 5 months, and no longer plan toI also still have my wisdom teeth, and while the top 2 have come in, the left bottom wisdom tooth is severely impacted, and I know it is swelling the gum area around my other back left molar and is often sore, (think its called Pericoronitis).The only area where I usually feel any pain in my mouth is directly under my impacted left bottom wisdom tooth. Sometimes I can feel a bit of pain coming from the tonsil area, but not severe.I've taken 2 pages of really good pictures of my oropharynx and the lumps/ affected tonsils, and you can see quite some detail.You can view them here: (copy and paste link)http://www.flickr.com/photos/69718259 @N00/sets/72157594500163184/I just worried its cancer, and I'm open to any suggestions, as I have not been to a dentist beacause I do not have insurance, to get an opinion beforehand is my only option because it will be extrmely expensive.Many thanks, and I hope I'm worried over nothing... ~justin Beavermatic Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.flickr.com/photos/69718259 @N00/sets/72157594500163184/ You will have to highlight, copy and then paste the full link above into your Browser address bar in order for it to take you to the correct flickr page, as this forum hypertext does not tag the entire address. There will be 30 or o images of my throat and the suspicious areas in question are visable Beavermatic Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT grrrrr. here, this link should work below.... www.flickr.com/photos/69718259@N00/sets/72157594500163184/ Beavermatic Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 1/25/2007 Beavermatic wrote:grrrrr. here, this link should work below.... www.flickr.com/photos/69718259@N00/sets/72157594500163184/Hi; I was diagnosed with tonsil cancer in November of 05.  The cancer had spread to my lymph nodes and made necessary some extreme and painful treatments.  Your tonsil looks different from mine - but yours  looks abnormal.  I would by- pass the Dentist for now and see an ENT doctor asap.  My internist did not recognize the problem I had a year prior to my diagnosis.  DON'T WAIT.  The initial visit won't be that expensive.Good Luck,Tucker    Tucker Wed, 07 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT GET YOURSELF TO A ENT ASAP AND GET A BIOPSY , KNOWLEDGE IS EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW . DONT WAIT On 2/7/2007 Tucker wrote: On 1/25/2007 Beavermatic wrote:grrrrr. here, this link should work below.... www.flickr.com/photos/69718259@N00/sets/72157594500163184/Hi; I was diagnosed with tonsil cancer in November of 05.  The cancer had spread to my lymph nodes and made necessary some extreme and painful treatments.  Your tonsil looks different from mine - but yours  looks abnormal.  I would by- pass the Dentist for now and see an ENT doctor asap.  My internist did not recognize the problem I had a year prior to my diagnosis.  DON'T WAIT.  The initial visit won't be that expensive.Good Luck,Tucker     Hawgmaster Fri, 09 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT I'm going on 30, returning student who lacks health insurance.  Back in Oct I started to develope tiny bumps in my throat--the entire oropharnyx--bumps spread behind lower back molars. The bumps are flesh colored. I, like another poster with similiar problems, also have an inflamed left tonsiI, and I too have impacted wisdon teeth. I believe that I have had tonsil stones in the past--another wierd throat scare that I ened up dismissing as a cyst when it popped--and possibly post nasal drip.This is why I'm scared. I have had hpv for yrs, never had any real problems, but logically believe that I do have the virus in my throat. I have also smoked and drank for years. When I go to doctors(not specialist), I'm told they see nothing, don't know what it is, or say it's nothing. Since I have no insurance I'm convinced that they are (1)incompetent (2)lying to me about the information they have regarding hpv and throat cancer(I have had 2 women doctors tell me there is no connection before this Hopkins study was released (3)refuse to do anything because it may be in the begining stage (4) make me feel crazy by giving me pysc drugs to take my mind off of the fact that I can't get help because that would entail some sort of "socialized healthcare."So I'm crazy and scared. My schooling is falling apart, am now practically disabled my feelings of hoplessness, and broke. My whole life has already been to hard. If anyone can give me any information about what this could possibly be, please help. Suicidal Tue, 22 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hello.......It is obvious that you are very stressed and worried about the possibility of having a serious disease. Of course this may not be the case at all. I am wondering if you have been to see a dentist since very often infected teeth can cause problems throughout the body. Dentists are very knowledgable regarding conditions that may be indicated when they see changes in the mouth and throat. It is hard for me to imagine what it would be like to have no insurance and therefore not be able to see some medical person who would instill enough trust that I would be confident that what they tell me is the truth. I live in a country that has socialized medicine and though it has many problems at least all traditional medical treatments are available to everyone. Of course this is of no help to you in your current predicament but there must be some social agency where you are that could be of help financially. What country do you live in? I'm sure someone reading your message and knowing where you are located can come up with some sources of help for you. In the meantime I hope you know you are not alone in your fear and frustration. Many people on this board experience these feelings everyday and I hope you hear from others who are concerned for you and willing to offer their prayers and guidance. Please hang in there.......things will get better! Shemay On 5/22/2007 Suicidal wrote:I'm going on 30, returning student who lacks health insurance.  Back in Oct I started to develope tiny bumps in my throat--the entire oropharnyx--bumps spread behind lower back molars. The bumps are flesh colored. I, like another poster with similiar problems, also have an inflamed left tonsiI, and I too have impacted wisdon teeth. I believe that I have had tonsil stones in the past--another wierd throat scare that I ened up dismissing as a cyst when it popped--and possibly post nasal drip.This is why I'm scared. I have had hpv for yrs, never had any real problems, but logically believe that I do have the virus in my throat. I have also smoked and drank for years. When I go to doctors(not specialist), I'm told they see nothing, don't know what it is, or say it's nothing. Since I have no insurance I'm convinced that they are (1)incompetent (2)lying to me about the information they have regarding hpv and throat cancer(I have had 2 women doctors tell me there is no connection before this Hopkins study was released (3)refuse to do anything because it may be in the begining stage (4) make me feel crazy by giving me pysc drugs to take my mind off of the fact that I can't get help because that would entail some sort of "socialized healthcare."So I'm crazy and scared. My schooling is falling apart, am now practically disabled my feelings of hoplessness, and broke. My whole life has already been to hard. If anyone can give me any information about what this could possibly be, please help. Shemay Tue, 22 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hello and thanks for your response. Guess what country I live in. Yup, it's America! I can't get medicaid and the only help I can get is very basic. I can't see a specialist unless the dr ok's it and dr's are very quick to dismiss. I just saw a md and she told me there was no link between hpv and throat cancer--and this was after the Hopkin's study was realeased. I'll see her again next week so she can give me more psyc drugs. I told her to find the study and read it, so when I see her maybe she'll take me seriously. Suicidal Thu, 24 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT I just completed radiation and chemo today for HPV tonsil cancer, this slid by for 3 yrs. My symtoms were one enlarged tonsil, fatigue and occasional blood blister looking things on my tonsil or throat. I do not know of a test for oral HPV, you'd think they could just swab it. Don't freak out, but have it checked out; it could be caused by an infection under your wisdom teeth. Sometimes an abcess does not show up in xrays as was my case when I had my wisdom teeth out. Girlcat36 Wed, 06 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT Still have not had the courage to go see a doctor... though it doesnt seem the tonsil or bump behind it has become any bigger, matter o fact, it appears marginally smaller... but not by much... The one thing that scares me is the comment above... the blood blister on the swollen tonsil / throat... I get them occasionally too... about the same time I start smelling a garlic odor in my nose... they only last a couple days... then they're gone... What are they? I'm on the verge... its been 4 months or so since I posted this... I really think I should go Beavermatic Sun, 10 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT Go to the doctor my friend.Ya know, one the biggest problems we have here is that we/or loved ones, have gone to the doctors because there was a problem. And 10 out of 10 times, we/they, get sent home for months with a misdiagnosis. 10 times out 10 - "If they had only found it found it sooner" "I wish I/We had known.." Don't be an "If only..." just go. You are your best advocate. Just go, please. DO YOU WANT TO BE AN "I wish......"  Go..... Lou38s Mon, 11 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT Thank you for your post. I do have one enlarged tonsil. I've had this virus for a long time and have never had problems in my mouth. I will go to the dentist Monday and I'm in the process of fianlly getting medical assistance - boy has it been hell! My doctor, before hearing about the Hopkins study told me there was no link between hpv and oral cancers. I argued with her a little and then she said, "that's only if you have oral sex." WTF! Anyway I have a feeling that there will be many more people affected. I wonder how many are affected now.Can you tell me how old you are? How is everything going? Suicidal Fri, 15 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT