Fast facts on throat ulcers:

Fast facts on throat ulcers:

• Treatment and management of throat ulcers will depend on what is causing them.
• Prognosis is typically good, especially for those who take their medications and follow their recommended diets.
• The pain caused by the ulcers can lead to a range of symptoms, such as difficulty eating, drinking, chewing, swallowing, or talking.

Causes

Symptoms of throat ulcers may include pain when swallowing, nausea, fever, and a sore throat.

Ulcers found in the throat may be related to or caused by:

• certain chemotherapy or radiation treatments for cancer
• bacterial infections
• fungal infections such as thrush, which is a yeast infection caused by Candida albicans
• viral infections, such as herpangina (mouth blisters), and hand, foot and mouth disease, which are caused by Coxsackie A virus.
• conditions such as Behçet's syndrome, which is an inflammatory disease that causes ulcers to form in the mouth, genitals, and other areas of the body
• cancer

Ulcers found in the esophagus may be related to or caused by conditions such as:

• gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)
• the use of certain medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), bisphosphonates, and some antibiotics
• infections such as Candida species (yeast), Herpes simplex virus (HSV), and HIV
• over consumption of acidic foods, such as those containing citrus and vinegar, and drinks containing caffeine and alcohol
• ingestion of corrosive agents, such as ammonia or sodium hydroxide
• chemotherapy or radiation treatments for cancer (mucositis)
• excessive vomiting
• allergies

Ulcers or granulomas found on the voice box may be related to or caused by conditions such as:

• injury from intubation — where a tube is passed down a person's throat into the trachea to aid in breathing
• laryngopharyngeal reflux, an inflammatory condition caused by GERD, where stomach acid gets into the lower throat and voice box
• excessive coughing or use of the voice
• cancer

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms associated with throat ulcers may depend on the underlying cause and include:

• a sore throat
• fever and chills
• joint pain
• difficulty swallowing
• pain with swallowing
• stomach acid regurgitation
• chest pain or burning (heartburn)
• feeling as if there is a lump in the throat
• nausea
• vomiting with or without blood
• choking sensation
• voice changes
• frequent coughing or clearing throat
• taste changes (acidic or bitter or sour taste in mouth)
• smelling changes
• ear pain
• Diagnosis

In the first instance, doctors will do a physical exam and evaluate a person's symptoms. They may then need to take throat cultures, using mouth swabs. Sometimes blood tests and urine tests may be required.

However, diagnosis of throat ulcers will depend on the suspected cause of the condition and may include:

• Barium swallow X-ray: To evaluate for esophageal narrowing, hernias, or mass lesions; this is done by drinking a barium liquid solution that coats the lining of the throat, esophagus, and stomach.
• Esophageal endoscopy: To evaluate for abnormalities in the esophagus by using a lighted camera that is placed in the esophagus. Biopsies or skin samples may be taken at this time.
• Laryngoscopy: To evaluate the larynx and hypopharynx (area of the throat where the pharynx and esophagus meet behind the larynx), using a fiber-optic camera or small mirrors.
• Laryngeal videostroboscopy: To evaluate the vocal cords and voice box with strobe lighting through a laryngoscope and video recording.
• Panendoscopy: To evaluate the mouth, nose, throat (including the larynx and hypopharynx), esophagus, and trachea for potentially cancerous tumors.
• Other imaging tests: These may include a computed tomography (CT) scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. In some instances, especially if a doctor suspects cancer, they may recommend a positron emission tomography (PET) scan.