What would differentiate an irritated throat with some cobblestone swelling, from throat cancer? are they potentially indistinguishable without professional evaluation, especially if you had both at the same time?

Throat cancer cant be accurately diagnosed by visual appearance alone and needs professional evaluation. If you have the symptoms at your age there are very low chances for cancer. Pl see an ENT for proper diag. and management. In the meantime use saline gargles.

Watch for growth, increase in size of an area like a nodule, mass formation which is painless. Cancer nodules are painless initially, grow in size over 1-2 months and tend to ulcerate and bleed. Later stages cause pain in throat or the ear.. Any of these changes are a signal to seek medical evaluation by a physician.