Cancer from Untreated GERD at 23?

I was diagnosed with GERD 10 months ago.  I also had it for maybe a year I think before that.  I have pretty much ignored it until this point by drinking milk and taking tums as needed.  I was diagnosed with it after complaining to my General Practitioner about a feeling of a hair on my throat.

Well my situation has intensified and I have also lost my Medical Insurance.  My throat now flares up on my right hand side when I smoke Marijuana.  However there is a weird feeling always there regardless of smoking or not but it gets worse when smoking (cigarettes or marijuana but the marijuana is worse).  The feeling makes me want to constantly swallow as to clear something from my throat and its only on my right hand side.  I have now quit smoking Marijuana (I quit cigarettes 6 months ago) and have begun using Prilosec as I was told to 10 months ago.

I'm worried however about Larynx Cancer and possibly developing Barretts Esophogus.  The Larynx cancer because my chance of it was only multiplied by the untreated GERD and smoking.  I do also have a symptom of Larynx Cancer as I feel like I have a lump in the right side of my throat now but it comes and goes, from searching on the net I don't have any of the other symptoms and definetley no change in voice.  The Barretts Esophogus because of not treating my GERD for so long.  I must mention I'm only 23 years old and caucasian and have smoked Marijuana for a little less than a decade with a large decrease in the last three years.  

So I guess my question is what is the chance of someone my age given this situation to actually have developed Larynx Cancer?  Have you ever seen or heard of it happening to someone of my age?  Also what about the Barretts Esophogus?

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
Barrett's esophagus is not common in this age.
I have also not seen anyone of your age having laryngeal cancer.
Though you have the risk factors, 23 years is too early to develop these.
Lump in the throat is one of the symptoms of  GERD.
You can have upper GI endoscopy done  to rule out these issues.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D.