Can food particles stuck in the throat signify cancer?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 39-year-old male. At the beginning of this year, I started to have a feeling of something stuck in my throat after having meals. During that time, I consulted an ENT specialist and gastroenterologist. They did an endoscopy. I was diagnosed with silent GERD with LPR. I took medications, lifestyle changes, and dietary changes to resolve my symptoms. I have attached my endoscopy report. But now, I keep getting it on and off.

While having dinner or lunch, I have a feeling of food particles getting accumulating in my throat. I can chew and swallow my food. But I have a mild sense of food accumulating in the throat and then I need to clear my throat. While clearing my throat, I get some food particles back that are swallowed while eating.

It is caused by some foods only. They are watermelon and cucumber. I chew food properly and slowly. I get a loud burp after having a meal. I do not have throat pain, discomfort, nausea, vomiting. I do not smoke or drink. I tested positive for COVID-19 a month back and now, I am fully recovered. I would like to know the cause. Does my throat passage get narrow due to burping? Is this an early sign of throat or mouth cancer? Is there a treatment for this issue?

Kindly suggest.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You have attached only upper gastrointestinal endoscopy reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Kindly attach your laryngoscopy reports. Your condition takes some time to get resolved completely. You can have occasional relapses. Mostly your problem is laryngopharyngeal reflux.

Please mention whether you have any differences in the throat while taking solid, semi-solid, and liquid foods. Usually, the throat passage gets narrowed due to reflux. Burping is a symptom of reflux or acidity. Your symptoms are not an early sign of cancer.

Your endoscopy report does not show anything serious. Please mention your diet, sleep habits, and bowel movements. If feasible, I advise you to do a laryngoscopy and barium swallow again. Before doing these tests, I would like to know your thorough history and the medicines taken for your problem. Considering your age and non-smoker status, there is nothing to be worried about cancer.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Please mention whether you have any mucus dripping from the nose into your throat. Please mention if you have any recurrent clearing of the throat or mild cough even before having COVID-19. Please mention whether you have any sense of nose block or runny nose. A barium swallow can be done in scan centers with an X-ray machine. It is essentially an X-ray and you do not require to go to the hospital.

Do laryngoscopy and barium swallow.
You seem to have reflux laryngitis with or without allergy.
You need conservative medical management.
Have a follow-up after ten days before stopping your medications.
If you have nasal symptoms, then you need to take some medications. Do not gargle as gargling can worsen reflux. Do not take any spicy or oily foods. Avoid taking citrus and bitter foods. Do not stop your medications. Have a review after ten days. Abrupt stopping of medication can cause recurrence. You need to do breathing exercises with physical workouts. You can take more frequent and smaller meals. Do not lie down immediately after taking meals. Do not drink a lot of water after taking meals. Do not drink alcohol.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 3

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Continue taking Esmoprazole before breakfast for ten days. Take the tablet Montelukast with Fexofenadine in the evening for ten days. Take syrup Gaviscon two teaspoons thrice daily after meals. Have a follow-up after ten days.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 4

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

For now, continue taking the same medications. Please mention whether you are taking precautions and making lifestyle and dietary changes.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 5

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Continue taking medicines for another ten days. Please mention whether you have problems after taking curry during lunch even after taking syrup Gaviscon. Try to avoid taking curries and masala for lunch or dinner. Please mention whether you exercise daily. Kindly mention your height and weight.

Answer 6

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Continue taking the same medications for another ten days. Globus sensation is a sensation of something stuck inside the throat. It occurs in a variety of conditions. It is necessary to do a laryngoscopy. We need to know whether you have any pooling while swallowing. If an identifiable cause is absent, then you need to take some anti-anxiety medicines. It will not turn into a major issue in the future. Try to follow the precautions, lifestyle changes, and medications.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.