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Q: Swallow difficulties

asked by: DoctorQuestion on April 7th, 2008

Hi, about 2 weeks ago I swallowed a french fry and immediately felt like i was choking and had tightness in my throat. I could feel the fry in the back of my mouth. Since then I have had major diffulculties swallowing food and even eating things like soup bother me. Liquids seem to be fine. I get really bothered by bread and chicken. I am 26 years old and have smoked off and on since i was 19 (probably for about 3 years). I haven't smoked in 8 months but I am worried that this diffulculty eating is something more serious (such as cancer). Am I being reasonable? (Genetically I come from a family of life long heavy smokers on both sides and have no history of cancer)

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on April 11th, 2008

Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Answer A3918

It is unlikely that French fries can cause cancer. Swallow-difficulties can be due to much more common conditions like throat infection, stuck foreign body, injuries, anxiety etc. Conditions like throat cancer, neurological disorders etc. can cause swallow-difficulties but are not very common for your age. You may want to consult your GP and an ENT-specialist, if necessary.

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