I have had a hoarse voice for over a month.Is it a symptom of esophageal cancer?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have had a scratchy/hoarse voice for over a month. For the last 7 days I have a feeling as if something is stuck in my throat directly in the center and as if someone is pushing on my throat. I have seen two different ENT doctors. The first one diagnosed me with rhinitis and globus. The second one said my esophagus is a little red and diagnosed me with GERD.

I had chest x-ray, CT of chest and neck, all of which came back normal. I had a barium swallow test and the doctor said he saw some reflux. I have also started burping up a little food after I eat and feel a pain in my breast bone.

When I searched the internet, it says esophageal cancer. Now I am freaking out and I am so scared.

Wouldn't it show up on any of the tests I have had done?

Do these sound like symptoms of esophageal cancer?

I am a 34 year old mother of three children and I feel devastated. The only thing left to do is an endoscopy, but doctors do not feel I need it and I am scared to get one. Do you think I need an endoscopy and could this be esophageal cancer? Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The complaints you are describing fit into the following conditions:

1. Chronic laryngitis.

2. GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease).

If there would have been a cancer, CT scan and barium swallow must have given an idea or hint.

Since they were clear it is very unlikely to be an esophageal cancer.

Now to help you better I need a few details:

Did you experience any weight loss?

Do you smoke?

Do you snore while sleeping at night?

Have you got your thyroid function test done?

What are your current medications?

Revert back with the asked details to a medical gastroenterologist online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/medical-gastroenterologist

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You are right. Small cancer could be missed in the investigations but do you know that these symptoms of cancer appear when the cancer or tumor is big enough to compress the surrounding structures causing the voice change.

So, I would not keep a possibility of cancer in this scenario.

Since you were a smoker and had intentional weight reduction these symptoms can also be related to weight loss.

I would advice you to do the following:

Get a repeat thyroid profile and fasting blood sugar done.

Take an anti-allergic medication like Levocetirizine.

Take a combination of Pantoprazole and Domperidone for acid reflux.

Take soft and bland diet. and always take a little walk after your meals.

Make sure you do not smoke or consume alcohol.

Make a habit of gargling twice a day.

I hope that by following these measures you would improve within 2 weeks. Write back to me after 2 weeks and if no improvement occurs we would plan further treatment.

Get well soon.

Review with a medical gastroenterologist online after two weeks --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/medical-gastroenterologist

I have had a hoarse voice for over a month.Is it a symptom of esophageal cancer?

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