Might I have HPV throat cancer?

[LG18]

I’ve had these weird spots at the back of my throat for over a year. There are two of them and although they haven’t grown, I’ve become very concerned they are cancerous or precancerous HPV lesions. They’re like small pimples. I don’t know whether they’re just the normal bumpiness of the throat or something sinister.

Although I’ve only had one sexual partner who themselves had also only been with me, I have shared a cannabis
vape several times with people so I’m concerned I may have caught HPV from someone and now have the cancer.

Any of the people I shared the vape with may have caught HPV off of anyone they themselves were in contact with, surely making the pool of people I could’ve caught it from endless!

Whats more, HPV related throat cancer is on the rise in people in men in their 20s and 30s and I’m 24. I guess the fact that they haven’t grown larger in over a year is good? But maybe they don’t grow even if they’re cancerous.

what’s the likelihood I have something to worry about here? Should I go to the doctors and get this investigated? Or would you just leave it alone? I’ve been to the doctors so many times in the last couple of months I can’t even count, so I don’t know if this is just my HA playing up again or something I need to be concerned about.

Many thanks.

[Fishmanpa]

I had HPV related H&N cancer. I can assure you, if it's been a year since you noticed this, you'd be very ill. This is not realistic based on your post.

FMP

[LG18]

I had HPV related H&N cancer. I can assure you, if it's been a year since you noticed this, you'd be very ill. This is not realistic based on your post.

FMP

Thanks for the reply fishman. I know you yourself had a very tough ordeal so it’s reassuring to hear this. Even if it isn’t cancer now, though, could I be looking at something that’s pre-cancerous? Would you advise investigating it on those grounds? I’m not really sure how the HPV/cancer relationship works, and I mustn’t research it online for fear of going down a rabbit hole.

[Fishmanpa]

I would advise seeking real life help for the illness you do have.... HA :shades:

FMP

[glassgirlw]

Thanks for the reply fishman. I know you yourself had a very tough ordeal so it’s reassuring to hear this. Even if it isn’t cancer now, though, could I be looking at something that’s pre-cancerous? Would you advise investigating it on those grounds? I’m not really sure how the HPV/cancer relationship works, and I mustn’t research it online for fear of going down a rabbit hole.

They’ve been there for a year with no real change. I wouldn’t rush to the doc at this point if it were me. Mention it at your next scheduled physical, sure. But I wouldn’t make an appt just for that.

[LG18]

Thanks for the replies. I’m starting to spiral with this one unfortunately. I’ve moved from thinking it might be HPV to lymphoma; apparently what I have is something called cobble stone throat. The spots look very much like this (https://patient.info/forums/discuss/strange-lumps-in-back-of-throat-health-anxiety-at-an-all-time-high--720726). It’s apparently swollen lymphatic tissue, and coupled with the swollen nodes in my neck, perhaps this is some spreading from that. I saw a picture of someone with lymphoma who had something that looked similar. It was redder and there were more of them, but maybe this particular form doesn’t grow like the usual form — and so I might be able to have had this for a year without noticing change.

Then there’s the possibility of the chronic inflammation raising my risk of throat cancer, as apparently can be the case with chronic granular pharyngitis which also causes the cobble stone throat thing.

It can apparently be harmless, and is most often caused by post nasal drip and seasonal allergies, but I don’t really know whether I have anything like that. I don’t have the classic hay fever symptoms of blocked nose and sneezing, but I do often have some mucus issues at the back of my throat, but I don’t know how likely the link is.

I’ve also noticed either side of my throat some elongated yellowish, mottled tissue, which I presume is related. I’m also starting to convince myself there are in fact new lumps even if the main two haven’t grown.

I just can’t seem to keep my thoughts under control. Every time I have a few days that I manage to resit my checking compulsions, it all comes to a head and bubbles over, and I end up convincing myself that I have a plethora of terrible illnesses and can’t pull myself away from researching online. :weep:

[utrocket09]

Thanks for the replies. I’m starting to spiral with this one unfortunately. I’ve moved from thinking it might be HPV to lymphoma; apparently what I have is something called cobble stone throat. The spots look very much like this (https://patient.info/forums/discuss/strange-lumps-in-back-of-throat-health-anxiety-at-an-all-time-high--720726). It’s apparently swollen lymphatic tissue, and coupled with the swollen nodes in my neck, perhaps this is some spreading from that. I saw a picture of someone with lymphoma who had something that looked similar. It was redder and there were more of them, but maybe this particular form doesn’t grow like the usual form — and so I might be able to have had this for a year without noticing change.

Then there’s the possibility of the chronic inflammation raising my risk of throat cancer, as apparently can be the case with chronic granular pharyngitis which also causes the cobble stone throat thing.

It can apparently be harmless, and is most often caused by post nasal drip and seasonal allergies, but I don’t really know whether I have anything like that. I don’t have the classic hay fever symptoms of blocked nose and sneezing, but I do often have some mucus issues at the back of my throat, but I don’t know how likely the link is.

I’ve also noticed either side of my throat some elongated yellowish, mottled tissue, which I presume is related. I’m also starting to convince myself there are in fact new lumps even if the main two haven’t grown.

I just can’t seem to keep my thoughts under control. Every time I have a few days that I manage to resit my checking compulsions, it all comes to a head and bubbles over, and I end up convincing myself that I have a plethora of terrible illnesses and can’t pull myself away from researching online. :weep:

My dad has throat cancer. He had no lumps kr bumps. All he had was a constant horse voice that went for months.

[Anxiouscow]

This is not how HPV throat cancer presents itself. You have Health Anxiety. You need to accept this and get treatment for what you do have.

I'd rather be dead than live in hell above ground. And that's what HA is.

[Anxiouscow]

May I ask how old you are?

[LG18]

Thanks, wishing your dad the best.

[LG18]

May I ask how old you are?

I’m 24 but apparently HPV throat cancer is on the rise in my age group. Many thanks.

[Fishmanpa]

HPV is a sexually transmitted disease. You don't get it sharing a vape. Did you have oral sex with someone who has HPV? If not, put this to rest. At your age, I would suggest getting the HPV vaccine based on your fear.

FMP

[LG18]

HPV is a sexually transmitted disease. You don't get it sharing a vape. Did you have oral sex with someone who has HPV? If not, put this to rest. At your age, I would suggest getting the HPV vaccine based on your fear.

FMP

Right I see. Is that because the trace amount of saliva that might be on the vape wouldn’t be enough to pass on the virus?

I don’t think there is a HPV vaccine for this in the U.K. unfortunately. There’s the one for women with cervical cancer but I don’t think there’s one for men for protecting against the throat cancer. Many thanks.

[BlueIris]

No, men and women can be vaccinated against HPV. It's the very first result I found on Google.

Quoting from the CDC website:
(The) HPV vaccine was developed to prevent cervical and other cancers of the reproductive system. The vaccineprotects against the types of HPV that can cause oropharyngeal cancers, so it may also prevent oropharyngeal cancers.

[Anxiouscow]

I’m 24 but apparently HPV throat cancer is on the rise in my age group. Many thanks.

Without being patronising, you are a classic HA case. I was exactly the same as you, looking for probability of outcomes, looking for meaning in almost everything that anybody says etc. Throat cancer, caused by HPV or not, is extremely rare in people in their 20's, whether it is on the rise or not. I'll think you'll find, with better diagnostic methods and a rapidly increasing world population, that most diseases are "on the rise."

You can't get HPV from sharing a vape, as FMP has already said. You are spiralling out of control about a non-issue. I don't want you to continue wasting your time because I wasted a lot of time doing exactly what you are doing now, and I didn't die from or get any of the diseases that I thought I was going to get.

[Anxiouscow]

And FYI, if you are interested in statistics, in a two year period between 2015 and 2017, only 12 people were diagnosed with any form of H&N cancer (not just laryngeal cancer) in your age group.

That equates to 0.7 people per 100,000. 1 in 43,000 people per year die at work. But you aren't scared of dying at work are you?

I hope you kick this episode of HA up the a**e.

[LG18]

No, men and women can be vaccinated against HPV. It's the very first result I found on Google.

Quoting from the CDC website:
(The) HPV vaccine was developed to prevent cervical and other cancers of the reproductive system. The vaccineprotects against the types of HPV that can cause oropharyngeal cancers, so it may also prevent oropharyngeal cancers.

Indeed, I just looked it up and it was brought in for males in 2018. When I was at school it was only offered to girls, so I’ll certainly try and get vaccinated for this.

Thanks.

[LG18]

Without being patronising, you are a classic HA case. I was exactly the same as you, looking for probability of outcomes, looking for meaning in almost everything that anybody says etc. Throat cancer, caused by HPV or not, is extremely rare in people in their 20's, whether it is on the rise or not. I'll think you'll find, with better diagnostic methods and a rapidly increasing world population, that most diseases are "on the rise."

You can't get HPV from sharing a vape, as FMP has already said. You are spiralling out of control about a non-issue. I don't want you to continue wasting your time because I wasted a lot of time doing exactly what you are doing now, and I didn't die from or get any of the diseases that I thought I was going to get.

I know I am, I just can’t seem to stop spiralling. Like even having being momentarily reassured about the fact I couldn’t catch it from the vape, now I’m considering the people I’ve kissed in the past when I was at school, and the people they may have kissed; or the fact that although I’ve only had one sexual partner (and so had she), I know she had kissed other people at party’s and stuff before me. I guess I’m just paranoid about catching it.
How did you get over your anxiety? Thanks.

[LG18]

And FYI, if you are interested in statistics, in a two year period between 2015 and 2017, only 12 people were diagnosed with any form of H&N cancer (not just laryngeal cancer) in your age group.

That equates to 0.7 people per 100,000. 1 in 43,000 people per year die at work. But you aren't scared of dying at work are you?

I hope you kick this episode of HA up the a**e.

That’s good to know and does put things in perspective. Although, isn’t that just because it takes years to develop? I guess I’m worried the stuff in my throat is pre-cancerous and will develop into something later on, at an age where head and neck HPV cancers are more common.

[Fishmanpa]

While some may argue to the contrary, kissing isn't 'oral sex' :whistles: Nothing else to say really....

FMP

[Simonsays64]

Back in 2012 I discovered a lump at the back of my throat, was a weird nodule type thing. Went to see two different Drs who both said it was an infection and gave me anti biotics. Both drs were wrong and it wasn't going away, at that point I was so adamant it was throat cancer I was basically planning my funeral. Finally I got to see my regular Dr, who actually took the time to listen to me and had a proper look. Within seconds of seeing it he said "I have no idea how they thought that is an infection, it's the most obvious cyst I've ever seen." He told me it was a cyst, even bet his career on it haha. Well it has been 9 years now and the cyst is still there, not grown or caused any problems.

I know the throat may be an odd place to grow such lumps, but it does happen. Cancer is the last case scenario amongst 100s of other non harmful scenarios.