Mum referred, persistent hoarseness

[cadburyegg]

My 79 yo lovely mum who has up until now been very healthy has had persistent hoarseness in her voice, sore throat, some reflux but didn't respond to medication, head pain, etc.

She still suspects it's reflux but has been urgently referred. I too originally suspected it was something benign but now I'm frantically googling and some type of cancer seems the most likely explanation.

She has an xray tomorrow and has had many blood tests. I don't know how long the wait for other tests is.

I would appreciate a handhold. Any ideas about other tests or any other info at all or stories would be great. I am stressing. I originally assumed laryngeal cancer which has a good prognosis but sounds like there are lots of cancers which have these symptoms, some of which are less treatable.

It could just be the stomach acid coming up has burned her throat?

ENT referral is standard for a hoarse voice - has she had that? They would put a little fibre optic camera down and have a look.

Lots of reasons for a hoarse voice, but you can’t tell which one it is without looking.

I’ve had a horse voice and sore throat for 7 weeks now. I passed the cancer questionnaire, but if I still have it upon return from my holiday on the 15/7 my Dr will urgently refer me to ENT. So far it’s been deemed as a viral infection, it could be allergy related, who knows. It’s very annoying though, and tiring. I wouldn’t worry too much, they’re just being very thorough.

How did your mum get on?

Following as has a hoarse voice for 7 months age am constantly fobbed off

Thanks for asking.

She had an xray which came back clear. She is booked in for an endoscopy next week which presumably will give a clear indicator of if it's throat cancer or not.

Mum is convinced it's reflux and I was feeling better about it too but apparently some blood tests showed she has a high platelet count which can be an indicator of cancer. 😩

It feels like it's gone on for ages. Definitely been longer than 2 weeks since the referral

Hi OP, I'm in a similar position atm with my Mum. She is 68 and symptoms started in Jan with a sore throat and hoarse voice. She says she has a feeling like something is stuck in her throat and is finding it hard to swallow. She's had blood test which have been normal, she's been told her throat is 'clear' but now two lumps have appeared on her neck. She's had an ultrasound on them and they referred her for a biopsy which she has had now and waiting results. I was with her last night when she was eating her tea and at one point she started to choke on her food and then for around half an hour after was just bringing so much acid and phlegm up and her throat was making this awful crackling sound it was so so horrible to see. I've been awake since 3am worrying about her because I'm convinced now that it's cancer.

Hi @mistymirror sorry you are going through this too, have you had the results of the biopsy back yet or when are you expecting them?

So things have moved very quickly, mum saw the specialist early last week who did an endoscope and said very unlikely to be cancer but will refer for mri to be on the safe side. MRI was on Friday, I spent nearly a week very happy again then on Monday she got a call to say they had found a lesion at the back of her tongue. She went for the biopsy yesterday under GA. The discharge report says large bulky mass found at base of the tongue and floor of the mouth. We are keeping fingers crossed of course but a cancer diagnosis is looking likely. Results should be in 3 weeks after we get back from holiday.

Sorry to hear about your Mum the wait it just torture isn't it we haven't had results yet. We were told results could take 2-4 weeks and it's been 2 weeks today since she had biopsy so I'm hoping they come back soon!
Please keep me updated with your Mum. I do understand the worry.

My Mum had a phone call of the radiology department today to say that she needs to have an urgent CT scan on her neck still no results from biopsy but the fact they want to do a CT scan now tells me they have found cancer? It's just so horrible the not knowing or being told.

Ah, they said my mum needs a PET/CT scan too. I am trying to stay off Google as it's obviously a strong hint of it being cancer but if it is cancer they need to check it has spread and it's best to be armed with all the information at the next appointment

How are you all getting on? I have the same symptoms - I'm 47, get hoarse every day, more so as the day progresses. Difficulty swallowing, regurgitate food and constant reflux/mucus in the back of my throat. Burning mouth that hasn't responded to steroids or medicine for oral thrush. Have seen ENT, he did a scope down my nose and into throat, have appointment for endoscope on Monday. I'm fairly worried at this stage but I almost feel instinctively that there is something wrong with me. My health anxiety doesn't help :) Hope you are all getting the tests you are waiting for. Will keep you updated.

Could be thyroid related?

My mom had laryngeal cancer but unfortunately they detected and treated it way to late although she had all symptoms hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, persistent coughs, choking on food and fluids, it got that bad she would pretty much suffocate in her sleep if she lay a certain way, my mom didn't eat or drink properly for months and months and weighed a tiny 5 stone when she passed, they had many chances to pick it up including a biopsy done a couple of years before when they found pre cancerous tumor, but fobbed her off with antibiotics and inhalers and no follow up appointments each and every single appointment was the same, thank god they are looking at your mom in a more serious manner, and don't settle on being fobbed off, the prognosis for early stages is 5 year survival rate so fingers crossed and wish you all the best, if you want to chat please let me know xx