#14147 04-25-2003 04:55 AM | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 2 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 2 | Hello everyone, My name is Lori. This is the first time I've posted anything. I need some advice, and I thought maybe someone could help me. I'm 25 years old, active, and take care of my body (don't drink or smoke and exercise. About a month ago I noticed a small lump on the lower right side of my mouth, below my teeth. I didn't think that much about it and asummed it would go away. It did get larger and I saw my Dentist so that he could take a look at it. There he took xrays. He was pretty sure that it was an abcessed tooth before he looked at the xrays, but my teeth are very healthy. He looked at the xrays decided that it wasn't an abcess, gum boil, or calcium deposit. He looked puzzled,and actually said he wasn't sure. He just told me that if I noticed any change to call him. The visit didn't make my feel any better. I decided I would do research on it myself. I found pictures on this web site and my lump looks very similar to an Osteoma. It has gotten a little bigger and I can feel it when I smile now. Should I go back to my normal dentist or see someone else. I would love any kind of advice. Thanks Lori  | | | 
#14148 04-25-2003 05:17 AM | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 20 Member | | Member
Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 20 | Hi Lori,
My advice would be to get a biopsy immediately. Then you'll at least know what you're up against , if anything. Call your Primary Care Physician and let him know.
The biopsy won't hurt and you'll have a better understanding of what is going on.
Reborn June 27, 2001
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#14149 04-25-2003 05:50 AM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | Hi lori, I don't want you to panic but I agree that this needs to be looked at. I wouldn't wait at all. I am not a doctor and I am not saying that I think this is something bad but I am stressing that it is not normal and It is not worth the risk if it is serious. Call today and get it looked at. Call your primary doctor and ask if it should be seen by a specialist.
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
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#14150 04-25-2003 01:10 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | Well, I'm going to be disagreeable with the previous posters here...(what
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
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#14151 04-26-2003 03:48 PM | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 14 Member | | Member
Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 14 | Lori
I am currently going thru this process. My upper gum was tender and then felt like an abcess. I went to my dentist and they put me on antibotics and I returned in 3 days...they were not pleased and referred me to an oral surgeon. The next day I saw the oral surgeon who did a biopsy. The biopsy was cancer.
For your own peace of mind and to make sure......
Find another dentist and if need be get the biopsy. | | |
#14152 04-28-2003 07:40 AM | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 2 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 2 | Hello again,
This is Lori. Thank you everyone for your advice. I have made an appoinment with an ENT for Tuesday the 29th. Altough the lump is still there, my mind is somewhat at ease knowing that I'm seeing someone who will(hopefully) help me. I will post the outcome. Thanks again, Lori | | |
#14153 04-28-2003 07:47 AM | Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 246 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 246 | Hi Lori:
I would add taht it is a good sign that your dentist did some testing and did offer you some thoughts on differential diagnoses. Sounds like he was indeed trying to be helpful and that is commendable.
I echo Brian's sentiments that a good provider won't be offended if you seek a specialty opinion and an ENT is a good place to start. Be sure to ask the ENT to send along a report to your dentist because it does seem the dentist was interested.
Best of luck,
Kim
kcdc
Wife of Dave,diagnosed with Stage III Tonsillar SCC,August '02
Modified radical neck dissection followed by radiation therapy
'There is glory and radiance in the darkness and to see we have only to look"
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#14154 04-28-2003 10:08 AM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | Good for you Lori, I'll Be hoping it turns out to be not serious.
As for "Disagreeable" Brian, I didn't take it as disagreement. In our local clinic system it is hard to get an appointment with a specialist without a referral. I suggested her primary care DOC because she would gain another opinion on her way to the specialist. I am all in favor of "going to the top" and in fact that is what I meant for Lori to do. I'll stress that more loudly next time.
I also agree fully with all of the comments in other posts about demanding results in a timely fashion: hours and days instead of weeks or worse! It might be their golf schedual but it is our neck on the line (sorry, pun intended)
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
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