Pain under my tongue on left side

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6 Feb 2017 20:27

Diagnosing base of tongue cancer: pain in throat

6 Feb 2017 20:27

Hi there 

Was hoping to hear from anyone who had base of tongue cancer with pain in throat as the primary symptom and had trouble being diagnosed (only 30% of people present with a sore throat I've read).

I have had a pain on the left side down my throat since Nov 16. Sometimes it's like a sharp pinch sometimes like a throbbing. More recently my left back teeth and gums ache and my left tongue hurts when eating. Sometimes pain swallowing. Left neck nodes slightly swollen but not hard or unmovable.

Scope showed swollen left lingual tonsil. Pet / ct half body showed nothing

Neck ultrasound and Fna showed a couple of reactive lymph nodes but shape was not deemed concerning and needle aspiration was negative.

Left sided lingual and palatine tonsil biopsy negative. Unfortunately biopsies were not taken from other locations of oropharynx. Thought that was the end of it. Then all my symptoms came back. Light throbbing pain on left of neck too. ENT keeps saying it's just post tonsillectomy but the pain is totally different and it's just getting worse.

9 Feb 2017 09:00

Diagnosing base of tongue cancer: pain in throat

9 Feb 2017 09:00 in response to Gjb

Hello Gjb, 

I'm sorry to hear about the symptoms you've been experiencing and can understand your need to finding out what it is causing it. If you're concerned about the results that have come back so far maybe you could ask your medical team if it would be possible to have biopsies taken from other locations of your oropharynx? One of our lovely members here on the forum, @Vatch‍, has had experience of tongue based cancer and now that I've tagged him in this post hopefully he will be along soon to share his advice and experiences with you.

I hope this helps Gjb and you are able to find out the cause of your symptoms soon.

All the best, 

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

21 Nov 2017 03:06

Diagnosing base of tongue cancer: pain in throat

21 Nov 2017 03:06 in response to Gjb

Hello,

I know this is an old post, but I beg you, let me know what your finding was. I'm stuck with doctors not wanting to investigate my symptoms very much like yours, for the past 10 months. Where do I go? What should I ask for? I had a scope and a neck ultrasound, all clear, but the pain persists - and getting more frequent. I'd appreciate any help. Thank you.

21 Nov 2017 09:11

Diagnosing base of tongue cancer: pain in throat

21 Nov 2017 09:11 in response to Seventysix

Hi The whole thing has been very strange but I'm glad to say that no cancer was found. Totally I had 1 PET/CT, 2 MRIs, 2 ultrasound fnas of the neck, multiple scopes, a left sided palatine and lingual tonsil biopsy. The pinching left sided throat pain lasted from November to April. In march I had an infected tooth on the left and root canal and the pain went away for 2 weeks, then came back then went away and hasn't been back since. I saw 3 ENTs totally none of which were able to tell me definitively what was causing the pain. The only symptom I have left is my left cheek is slightly thicker than my right. I noticed this in February and the MRI confirmed it. The ENT blamed the dental work but the dentist said it couldn't cause it. I will continue to go back and have a scope every 6 months (I've got Private healthcare) for my own peace of mind).

21 Nov 2017 13:26

Diagnosing base of tongue cancer: pain in throat

21 Nov 2017 13:26 in response to Gjb

Hi Gjb, Thank you ever so much for your quick reply. It does give me hope that it might not be what I hope it won't be...

20 Mar 2018 12:43

Diagnosing base of tongue cancer: pain in throat

20 Mar 2018 12:43 in response to Seventysix

Have you guys found anything else? I have very similar symptoms and no one can find anything wrong. I keep using every search engine to find a lead, but have been stumped. For the last six months the left part of my tongue hurts and seems. Swollen. I have pain in left lymph node at times, left part of throat, even jaw. Why just the left side? Out of all my symptoms the one that is consistent is swollen left portion of my tongue. Please, any insight to what you all found would be very appreciated.

20 Mar 2018 13:03

Diagnosing base of tongue cancer: pain in throat

20 Mar 2018 13:03 in response to mirmir

Hi mirmir. Welcome to the forum.

This is my first contribution to this particular thread.

I'm not a doctor (I always say that!)

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in autumn 2017, and shortly after I developed a persistent sore throat. I thought nothing of it as I'm an amateur (very amateur) musician and singer.  However it didn't go away so I went to the doctor. Her first thought was gastric reflux and she put me on a three month protocol of major strength proton pump inhibitors, acids inhibitors, and antacids to see if the sore throat resolved. It didn't and I went back just before Xmas. We discussed the possibility of the fibromyalgia causing the throat symptoms, but she wasn't sure and was keen to eliminate cancer as a possibility, so I ended up with an urgent ENT referral. 

I had a series of ENT tests, including a nose/throat endoscopy, a neck/throat MRI, and a panendoscopy with biopsies under general anaesthetic. The only slightly unusual feature was that the tonsils at the back of the tongue were enlarged, and no trace of cancer. After this, the ENT sent me back to my GP. 

So, I think the lesson from me and the other posters is that throat pains and mouth pains occur, and they're not always caused by cancer. In fact, cancer is probably the rarest reason for such pains. 

My dentist gave me a useful rule of thumb: anything wrong with the mouth, tongue, throat, oral cavity, whatever, whether it's painful or not, should be shown to a doctor or dentist if it hasn't resolved after 3-4 weeks. 

So I suggest you need to visit your GP and if he or she doesn't know what it is then ask for an ENT referral.  If you can get an urgent referral, then so much the better as you'll get an answer sooner. 

20 Mar 2018 17:55

Diagnosing base of tongue cancer: pain in throat

20 Mar 2018 17:55 in response to mirmir

Hi mirmir,

I know how stressful this is for you and I'm sorry for hearing you are in pain. 

I went through neck ultrasound and mri - and nothing explaining the pain was found (only an innocent thyroid nodule on the right side).

My pain is still there and I've been sent over to see a maxillofacial surgeon (in progress). 

All I can say is that the pain is only an indicator of something going on - not necessarily that it will kill you. I have a hard time locating the source of the pain, but as the nerves run via the ear, my guess is that the source is there (for me). Previously I would have sweared that it's the tongue, but that's been cleared by tests. 

Sadly, I can't help you medically, but my best advice would be to start with a scope in your throat, then push for some tests (ultrasound or mri). 

Regarding swollen tongue... you must be sure it is swollen - not your anxiety plays with you. Do you feel any lumps/bumps in it? Does it hurt if you press on? 

Have you been seen by anyone?

Keep away from Google, and take it step by step.

Good luck!

18 Oct 2018 00:19

Diagnosing base of tongue cancer: pain in throat

18 Oct 2018 00:19 in response to Seventysix

Hi I’m new to this, but have read most of your notes... I have very similar pain, always on the left, under tongue and a feeling of something stick or clogging something up, tinnitus also, but burning in the left ear occasionally, and am wondering has anyone been diagnosed. I have suffered with this for at least 3 years , had an mri on my neck, ultrasound, shown nothing ,wondering wheather to pay private as ent cannot find anything wrong ... so so frustrating . 

18 Oct 2018 08:43

Diagnosing base of tongue cancer: pain in throat

18 Oct 2018 08:43 in response to waggles

Hi waggles. Welcome to the forum.

I've always been a bit doubtful about going private; after all, it's the same consultants who work for the NHS and private companies - you just get to see one quicker!

I suggest you need to go back to your GP and ask for a referral to a different hospital/ENT consultant.  It is possible that something has changed in the last couple of years since your MRI which might shed light on your problem, or a new consultant might have some different ideas.

You can use the money you save by not going private on paying for car parking fees 

19 Oct 2018 07:06

Diagnosing base of tongue cancer: pain in throat

19 Oct 2018 07:06 in response to telemando

It's good to find somewhere where the same symptoms I've been having are articulated. I've had a similar feeling in my neck, inside my tongue in the right side. This has been going on for about 6 weeks and only sore when I swallow. I've been to the dentist for a thorough exploration and he's found nothing. I've been to the doctor who also can't find any swelling or lesions. He's given me a course of antibiotics as an elimination exercise and if still there then referral. My obvious concern is that both my dad and his mum had throat cancer. Interestingly I also have fibromyalgia. Plus have always had teeth issues.

I have also had intermittent pain in my right jaw and up to my ear. My doctor wondered if it might be to do with the salivary gland. Although no swellings or lumps.

Really interested in everyone's outcomes. It all seems the same as everyone is describing only on the right side.

9 Nov 2018 10:50

Diagnosing base of tongue cancer: pain in throat

9 Nov 2018 10:50 in response to kimzed

I have just come across this. I've been having the same on the right side. Sore tongue, but also strange marks on my tongue. Not so much a sore throat though. But if an ache. Face is swollen down the side of my nose which the doctor says is sinus. Doctor said ask the dentist. Dentist said go to the doctor as l also experience nerve like pain in teeth. Nose and part of my face feels uncomfortable. I guess your suggestion would be mri? It's all very worrying. Hope you're all feeling better.

9 Nov 2018 11:31

Diagnosing base of tongue cancer: pain in throat

9 Nov 2018 11:31 in response to Lmh

Hi Lmh. Welcome to the forum.

I am not a doctor and I have no medical qualifications.  However, among my many health issues, I do have a chronic sinus problem! 

What you describe is very reminiscent of my sinus problems over the years: pain, swelling, affected nerves in the face.  Dentists are usually pretty good at recognising cancers in the mouth and what your dentist saw clearly didn't ring any alarm bells. That should be reassuring. 

I think you do need to go back to your GP and get a clear diagnosis. I don't whether or not an MRI would help to diagnose a sinus problem. I know that I had a number of X-rays some 30 years ago, and they didn't show up anything of any significance.  I also know from experience that antibiotics are of little value. They sometimes reduce pain and swelling while you're taking them, but a few days after the course finishes, you're back to square one. Decongestant tablets or sprays can sometimes help, but for me they're not a sure fire thing. 

I have found the following home remedies reasonably useful but neither of them are quick fixes:

1. Buy a facial sauna from Argos. Use distilled/de-ionised water (not tap water) and put in a drop or two of herbal decongestant. Then inhale the fumes for about 5-10 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a day. 

2. Use NeilMed nasal rinse twice a day.  This is probably more effective than the facial sauna, but it has a lot higher running costs and it's more awkward generally. 

The problem with sinuses is that they're awkward to get at, and there's no easy treatment options.  You can control the problem and reduce the overall level of discomfort, but it may be something you're stuck with. 

8 Dec 2018 01:14

Diagnosing base of tongue cancer: pain in throat

8 Dec 2018 01:14 in response to telemando

I also had pain when swallowing on the left side of my tongue as of mid-November (I thought it was the throat at first) that has gone away. As noted above, it seems this is a symptom of a sinus problem, mucus clogging the sinuses, as waggles noted they also have ear problems and a feeling of something clogging something up. What luckily cleared this up for me (I’m not saying this would fix symptoms persisting for years, but may help someone who has just recently noticed them) was breathing steam wherever possible (over a boiling kettle, boiling pots, hot shower..), and blowing my nose very frequently. However, I imagine sitting under a blanket and breathing in steam from a pot with just boiled water followed by blowing the nose may be even more effective in lessening discomfort. Plenty of moisture from outside and hydration from inside (i.e. from drinking water) keeps the mucus thin and easier to pass. Hopefully this may relieve someone’s symptoms or at least reduce discomfort. Best of luck to everyone.