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What Causes Burning In The Upper Part Of Throat?

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Posted on Wed, 10 Sep 2014
Question: I had an upper endoscopy 18 months ago. It was completely normal. I also had one 2 years prior to that that was completely normal.

If I am having new symptoms should I worry about cancer? Or does Esophogus cancer take a long time to form?
My new symptoms or I've been having a burning in the upper part of my throat and middle esophogus guess for about a month now.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
GERD/reflux...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXXXXX

Your current symptoms of having a burning in the upper part of your throat is indicative for possible GERD (gastro-esophageal-reflux).

I will not be worried about esophageal cancer as long as :
- your last endoscopy was perfectly normal and the other one 2 years ago was normal too
- you have no risk factors for cancer: abuse in drinking alcohol/smoking
- family history

I would be worried about cancer if findings on upper endoscopy would confirm Barret's esophagitis due to chronic and untreated GERD. Otherwise, not worried.

For your current symptoms, I advise to:
- repeat another upper endoscopy
- run pH study

to confirm GERD. PPIs (proton-pump inhibitors) together with antacids and dietary and lifestyle changes are highly advised to alleviate the symptoms.

Hope it answered to your queries! Let me know if anything unclear!
Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (5 minutes later)
How long does that type if cancer take to form? I hear it's many many years and it's slow growing is that true?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes,it is slowly growing if risk factors present..

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Yes, it is true that the esophageal cancer is slowly growing; would take some years to form.

As mentioned earlier, apart the last 2 upper endoscopies that resulted normal, I need to know if:
- you have been diagnosed with Barret's esophagiitis?
- have a family history of cancer?
- do you use alcohol/tobacco?
- have you been positive to human papilloma virus?
- have you experienced sudden weight loss recently?
- apart burning sensation on your throat, are you also having pain or difficulties with swallowing recently? or any other unusual sign?

I need to get all these factors evaluated first before final statement. From what you are describing, all your symptoms are indicative for GERD. Once it is correctly treated, symptoms will be subsided.

If GERD will let untreated, it might cause Barret's esophagitis (BE). BE increases the chances to develop cancer. That's why need to treat GERD correctly to prevent BE and cancer.

If I was your caring doctor would ask to run another upper endoscopy, will evaluate your risk factors and your clinical presentation first, and then, I would give final conclusion. For now, I can admit once again, that your symptoms are indicative for GERD.

Hope it answered to your queries!
Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (5 minutes later)
I get warts on my testicles and I think it is HPV.

I drink socially but never have smoked.

I was adopted so don't know family history.

Not sudden weight loss. I changed my diet and loss like 7-8 pounds because I am trying not to eat bad and stop the pain in the esophogus.

No trouble swallowing.

Never diagnosed with BE. Normal EGDs with hital hernia finding
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not worried...pls provide endoscopy reports...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXXXXX

What worries me is a confirmatory oral HPV.

Next, I find it great that you started not to eat bad to improve the symptoms.

If hiatal hernia was noted on upper endoscopy, that will be also a cause to your actual symptoms apart GERD. Can you provide the previous endoscopy reports to get them analyzed myself?

Overall, I am not worried about cancer. I am worried only to get your symptoms improved. Diet changes alone cannot help, PPIs and antacids are necessary to start. Try to stop drinking alcohol even if it is socially.

Anyway, although not worried, if I was your caring doctor would ask another upper endoscopy for further evaluation. At least, I would know the progress and what else to be done.

All the best!
Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (11 minutes later)
Why does HPV concern you?

Also see my EGD images and report uploaded. It was from last February.


So you dont think nothing bad has formed since this?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (21 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Nothing worrisome found at your last EGD...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

If oral HPV is confirmed, studies has shown increased risk for cancer (including esophageal cancer) in patients with oral HPV.

I have gone through the EGD images and I found nothing worrisome.

If you are having chest pain or persistent burning in throat, I insist to repeat upper endoscopy and to start treatment as mentioned earlier.

Once, again, I do not think anything bad has formed, but need confirmation from another upper endoscopy and chest X-ray first.

Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (3 minutes later)
But still that would take time to form to right?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (22 hours later)
Brief Answer:
yes

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

If it would be cancer, at least should have some symptoms so far. Unless, it is very first stage that needs to be confirmed through upper endoscopy with biopsy.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (16 minutes later)
Had upper endoscopy today and she said everything looked normal.

Maybe my gerd is occurring in waves. She said sometimes it can do that. Happen for 2 months at a time then go away.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (15 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Happy to know that everything looked normal:)

Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXXXXX

Sorry for late reply, but, actually, I'm overseas.

I am happy to get to know that your actual upper endoscopy is normal, and that the doctor confirmed GERD (as I suspected since the beginning of our discussion).

Now, it is true that GERD has its "waves"' (aggravation/settled). It is important to get to know what is precipitating or aggravating it:
- foods?
- drinks?
- spices?
- anything unusual you try?
- alcohol?
- stress?
- coffee?
- chocolate?

All these situations are associated with increased production of stomach acidity (low pH of stomach) that would trigger GERD.

If you eliminate them, then, GERD will be settled. However, at this moment, I still insist to get a course of PPIs and antacids apart diet and lifestyle changes.

All the best!
Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (3 hours later)
I read that HPV that causes cancer is not the same that causes genital warts. They are two different. So I have genital warts
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes,they are 2 different groups as following...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXXXXX

You are saying to have genital warts. May I know:
- what type?
- and for how long?

It is true that there are 2 groups of HPV:
- low-risk
- high-risk

regarding getting cancers. If you have been diagnosed with the "condylomata acuminata" type, then, it falls under the low-risk HPVs category. As you see, the term is "low-risk", thus, there is still little risk to get cancer, especially, if suffering for longer periods (more than 2 years).

All the best!
Dr.Klerida


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (47 hours later)
What's the chance the doctor missed something or not know what they are looking at? Or do they know exactly what everything is supposed to look like. The doctor that did my procedure has been practicing 17 yrs
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (13 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Experience is not an issue...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

I do not see any reason to worry about the procedure. The experience is not an issue. What has been noted is very clear: you do not have cancer or any other problem apart reflux and hiatal hernia.

So, nothing worrisome.

You can ask dermatologist about genital warts to determine the type.

I advise to avoid oral sex, and always take protective measures while having intercourse.

I understand that your symptoms are fastidious, but, you can start PPIs and antacids together with lifestyle and diet changes as mentioned earlier to alleviate the symptoms.

All the best!
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2266 Questions

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What Causes Burning In The Upper Part Of Throat?

Brief Answer: GERD/reflux... Detailed Answer: Hi back XXXXXXX Your current symptoms of having a burning in the upper part of your throat is indicative for possible GERD (gastro-esophageal-reflux). I will not be worried about esophageal cancer as long as : - your last endoscopy was perfectly normal and the other one 2 years ago was normal too - you have no risk factors for cancer: abuse in drinking alcohol/smoking - family history I would be worried about cancer if findings on upper endoscopy would confirm Barret's esophagitis due to chronic and untreated GERD. Otherwise, not worried. For your current symptoms, I advise to: - repeat another upper endoscopy - run pH study to confirm GERD. PPIs (proton-pump inhibitors) together with antacids and dietary and lifestyle changes are highly advised to alleviate the symptoms. Hope it answered to your queries! Let me know if anything unclear! Dr.Klerida