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What Causes Blood In Mucus Phlegm?

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Posted on Mon, 6 Apr 2015
Question: I woke up and went to the bathroom while in the bathroom I sucked the back of my throat and spit. It looked to be lightly tinted with olive green mixed with red blood. Is this cancer? I also have allergies all year
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pranjal Kulshreshtha (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Looks like a mild allergy or infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
I have seen the picture that you have uploaded.
It does not look anything sinister as it has a very slight staining that does not look like blood.
This is very common in throat infections and allergies.
Just start yourself on an anti-allergic medication and do warm saline gargles twice a day.
Follow this treatment for a week.
If the staining disappears then there is nothing to worry about. However if it persists or re-appears then you need to get your throat examined by a doctor.
Hope that answers your query. If you have any more I will be glad to answer them.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pranjal Kulshreshtha (7 minutes later)
It has been on and off for 15 months but has not got any worse sometimes I'll spit and it will be slightly bloid stained for 3 spits then return to nomrsl I just hope it is not cancer do you think it is. Or probably just sinuses
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pranjal Kulshreshtha (45 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Need to undergo tests.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
If this problem has been going on for 15 months, then you need to undergo some tests before attributing it to allergy.
These tests include--
1. throat examination by a doctor.
2. chest x-ray.
3. an endoscopy called fibreoptic bronchoscopy by a respiratory physician.
4. sputum testing for infection, tuberculosis or cancer cells.

Only after these tests being normal can we attribute this problem to allergy alone.
Hope this answers your query. If there are no more, then please rate the answer and close the thread
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pranjal Kulshreshtha (36 minutes later)
Thanks sir if it was cancer wouldn't it have gotten worse in 15 months my doc says allergies I had blood work 7 months ago in which everything was normal
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pranjal Kulshreshtha (49 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Unlikely to be cancer

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
It is less likely to be cancer but the possibility cannot be ruled out completely. It may not show any other symptoms till late even if its getting worse inside.
Even besides cancer, there may be other non-cancerous reasons besides allergy that may need treatment.
Blood tests will not pick up these abnormalities.
Hope that answers your queries. If you have no more, please rate the answer and close the thread
Take care
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Pranjal Kulshreshtha

Oncologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 366 Questions

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What Causes Blood In Mucus Phlegm?

Brief Answer: Looks like a mild allergy or infection Detailed Answer: Hi. I have seen the picture that you have uploaded. It does not look anything sinister as it has a very slight staining that does not look like blood. This is very common in throat infections and allergies. Just start yourself on an anti-allergic medication and do warm saline gargles twice a day. Follow this treatment for a week. If the staining disappears then there is nothing to worry about. However if it persists or re-appears then you need to get your throat examined by a doctor. Hope that answers your query. If you have any more I will be glad to answer them. Take care.