Good afternoon,
Im a 23 year old male and iam worried that i may have oral cancer.
It all began September of last year i felt a lesion on the left back side of my tongue and so was very concerned as a result since then I have seen a total of 6 ENTs 1 oral surgeon and 1 dentist...I had an excisional biopsy done of the area which came back benign and it read a chronic inflammation of the salivary glands the ENT who performed it assured me that it wasnt oral cancer yet was going to perform the biopsy in order to give me some piece of mind, however as she was doing it i told her to extract tissue from the bump i felt and she said the following "I've been doing this for thirty years kid i know what iam doing" and so now im afraid the biopsy is not as reliable because I can still feel the small lump...all other ENTs have taken a look at it felt it put their fingers inside my mouth and also assure me that it is not cancer and i should have nothing to worry about...I had a cat scan done of my throat which stated that i had inflammation of the glands about 6 mm and the ENT said not to worry that it was normal...lastly i was seen by an ENT at the hospital who stuck a camera through my nostril and said I have severe acid reflux and my voice box is severely irritated which i know and have been taking medication for yet it does nothing to ease my pain...after that i saw a dentist who referred me to an oral surgeon the oral surgeon took a look i showed him the results of the biopsy and after seeing the lesion stated that he was convinced is not oral cancer i asked if he could remove the lump and he said that there was nothing to be removed that if he did so he would be cutting into my tongue.....the reason for my worry is that ive experienced and continue to experience symptoms of oral cancer such as ear pain that comes and goes constant throat pain to the left side although it doesnt hurt to swallow chew or eat i have chest pain on my right side and the doctors say that it can all be attributed to gastric acid or the reflux i have, yet im not convinced because the medication has done nothing... i dont have health insurance so finding an accurate diagnosis has been quite costly...my only last option is to go back to the ENT and have an endoscopy done so they can check the structures on my throat.....what appalls me is the degree of certainty these specialists have when they tell me its not cancer its reached a point where they tell me that i want to be told i have cancer which i find ridiculous...I JUST DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE IM AFRAID I HAVE CANCER AND COULD BE DYING DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT HAS ELAPSED I NEED SOME ADVICE AS TO WHAT STEPS TO TAKE NEXT...PLEASE HELP

Find a top ENT who deals specifically with oral cancer. You are (unfortunately) not too young to have it - our youngest member was 18 when diagnosed and he - like many others here didn't have any precursors for it. I'm one of them. And frankly what you are saying rings very clearly with me - I had issues with my left oral tongue (at the back on the underside) this went n for some time - I saw an ENT - he biopsied it saying - well its all red, but I don't know here to take the biopsy from as its a large area. I had no lesion just a lump which he would have felt if he'd palpated. My biopsy came back inflamed tissue. He blew me of didn't even suggest a follow up. 18 mos later it became super painful (a step up from really painful). Another ENT biopsied it again. DX - oral cancer.

Please don't freak - this doesn't mean it's cancer, it could be major irritation for your reflux, but gdor your own mental ease you need a definitive DX either way. Do not let them blow you off. The demographics are changing for this disease,

Best of luck and let us know what happens.

Thanks for your reply i greatly appreciate it.....
Ive been freaking out thinking im gona die soon due to the fact that the ENT's ive seen all six of them along with the oral surgeon tell me that i shouldnt worry and ive been looking for an answer for about 6 months now and they say its nothing that its all acid reflux and that they see around 10 to 15 oral cancer patients on a daily basis and my lesion doesnt look anything indicative of oral cancer yet the small lump is still there and now its beginning to turn white...its really small and its on the underside and the back of the tongue looks inflamed as if its swollen and i mentioned that i was afraid it can be a tumor and they said that if it was a cancer tumor it would grow by now...they said to rest a sure its not cancer....i hear a crack in my throat when i cringe my neck its really weird thats been ongoing Ive told every specialist that im afraid its oral cancer and explain all my symptoms and they tell me its not that im going to be fine and not to worry... i also went to a dentist hence i felt tooth sensitivity on that same side and he said that he didnt see anything abnormal in my xrays which were forwarded to the oral surgeon i was referred to....it bothers me that they cant find a definitive diagnosis and i continue to feel this way thats why i dont know what to do....
The ENT who performed the biopsy has been a practicioner for 30 years she is also a head and neck surgeon and was actually referred to her by the receptionist from a different ENT i saw hence the receptionists husband was being treated for cancer and the ENT who i consulted had diagnosed him and was currently treating him...
THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT EVERYTHING IS OUT OF POCKET SINCE I DONT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE SO THE BIOPSY AND CAT SCANS IVE HAD TO PAY FOR.

DO YOU THEN SUGGEST I GET ANOTHER BIOPSY AND IF SO WHAT TYPE IS MORE EFFECTIVE? I LIVE IN LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA AND THERES TONS OF ENT'S I DONT KNOW WHO TO GO WITH. AND THEY ALL TELL ME THE SAME THING SINCE I FIRST NOTICED THE LESION IVE LOST 20 POUNDS I CANT SLEEP IM DEPRESSED FRUSTRATED MY PARENTS THINK IM MAKING STUFF UP AT TIMES I FEEL LIKE JUST ACCEPTING WHATEVER IT IS BECAUSE WITHOUT A DIAGNOSIS FROM A SPECIALIST I CANT GET ANY TREATMENT......I WILL LET U KNOW....THANKS VERY MUCH

Thanks for your reply i greatly appreciate it.....
Ive been freaking out thinking im gona die soon due to the fact that the ENT's ive seen all six of them along with the oral surgeon tell me that i shouldnt worry and ive been looking for an answer for about 6 months now and they say its nothing that its all acid reflux and that they see around 10 to 15 oral cancer patients on a daily basis and my lesion doesnt look anything indicative of oral cancer yet the small lump is still there and now its beginning to turn white...its really small and its on the underside and the back of the tongue looks inflamed as if its swollen and i mentioned that i was afraid it can be a tumor and they said that if it was a cancer tumor it would grow by now...they said to rest a sure its not cancer....i hear a crack in my throat when i cringe my neck its really weird thats been ongoing Ive told every specialist that im afraid its oral cancer and explain all my symptoms and they tell me its not that im going to be fine and not to worry... i also went to a dentist hence i felt tooth sensitivity on that same side and he said that he didnt see anything abnormal in my xrays which were forwarded to the oral surgeon i was referred to....it bothers me that they cant find a definitive diagnosis and i continue to feel this way thats why i dont know what to do....
The ENT who performed the biopsy has been a practicioner for 30 years she is also a head and neck surgeon and was actually referred to her by the receptionist from a different ENT i saw hence the receptionists husband was being treated for cancer and the ENT who i consulted had diagnosed him and was currently treating him...
THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT EVERYTHING IS OUT OF POCKET SINCE I DONT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE SO THE BIOPSY AND CAT SCANS IVE HAD TO PAY FOR.

DO YOU THEN SUGGEST I GET ANOTHER BIOPSY AND IF SO WHAT TYPE IS MORE EFFECTIVE? I LIVE IN LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA AND THERES TONS OF ENT'S I DONT KNOW WHO TO GO WITH. AND THEY ALL TELL ME THE SAME THING SINCE I FIRST NOTICED THE LESION IVE LOST 20 POUNDS I CANT SLEEP IM DEPRESSED FRUSTRATED MY PARENTS THINK IM MAKING STUFF UP AT TIMES I FEEL LIKE JUST ACCEPTING WHATEVER IT IS BECAUSE WITHOUT A DIAGNOSIS FROM A SPECIALIST I CANT GET ANY TREATMENT......I WILL LET U KNOW....THANKS VERY MUCH

First, calm down!!!!! Its highly unlikely you are in the stages of dying at this point. Im not dismissing your symptoms at all. By being upset it does not do one thing to help your situation. In fact, being upset actually makes thing worse, it paralyzes you with fear and that makes it hard to think clearly. All that stress isnt good for your body and your mind is working on overtime with "what if".

It should be some comfort to you that the biopsy came back negative. There are all kinds of things that can produce similar symptoms, like TMJ or wisdom teeth issues, an infected tooth or even a throat infection. You didnt mention if you were a smoker or using tobacco. There are over 50 known cancer causing additives in tobacco. There are many irritants which can cause all kinds of issues in a persons mouth. If you use tobacco in any form, please stop immediately.

I suggest finding an ENT who specializes in oral cancer. Not all ENTs do, so mainly put tubes in kids ears. The rule goes like this, any sore in your mouth that has been there for 2 weeks or longer should be checked by a professional. Only a biopsy will tell for sure exactly what the lump is. Since one was already done, maybe they need to go in and do a deeper biopsy. Since none of us here are doctors with years of medical training or have your whole medical history plus you in front of us, its really hard to say over the internet if any of these doctors have done a truly thorough exam. Unfortunately, being young does not rule out getting an oral cancer diagnosis. We have had a few members here who have been under 23 years old. Finding the right ENT and having a complete check up (possibly including another biopsy) should be enough to ease your mind. I agree with Cheryl, it could be all from the acid reflux. At some point you will have to put your trust in one of the physicians you see. You have seen quite alot of doctors and had a biopsy done so is it possible that all this is simply acid reflux? I would give it one more shot with a ENT associated with a major cancer center and put your faith in them. Hopefully what you are going thru turns out to be nothing as serious as oral cancer.

Good luck!!!

Hi - I would agree with Christine - do take comfort in the negative report but also see one more ENT, and ask them what they think. I would keep pushing until you get an answer or you can wait and see If it gets bigger. Some tumors are very slow growing some are not. I'd had mine for almost 4 years before I was dx'd, others have tiny lesions that are highly aggressive and move quickly. Based on the fact you've had it for 6 months with little change it sounds like what ever it is is slow moving. So you're not dying though I do understand your panic.

It's too bad this is out of pocket for you.

Thank you for replying and for the advice you have given me thus far is very helpful and greatly appreciated...I agree that perhaps a second biopsy of the lump would be the way to go i had cancelled an appointment for an endoscopy due to the lack of money but iam planning in getting it done once i find employment hence i just graduated from a four year university...in regards to finding a great ENT who specializes in oral cancer in the Los Angeles area do you believe that If i were to call the OCF locted in New Port Beach they perhaps can offer me some numbers of Doctors i may consult?...theres numerous ENTs in Los Angeles and to find the right one someone who will pay attention and take all your concerns into consideration is quite difficult and a task...Cheryld do you happen to know what kind of biopsy you had done the second time around?


And well right now i have to wait because i have no money and thats my biggest worry like you mentioned the "what if"?
And its worrysome becuase i did smoke for about two years was only a social smoker perhaps id say 4 to 6 cigarettes every week and a half or so and i did drink, however i quit smoking last july since then i havent had one puff.
Its startling to know that even those who have never smoked or drank and lack any precursors have been diagnosed with oral cancer..
Thanks Again for yor replys

I forgot to mention that my desperation got so out of hand I also saw two otolaryngologists In Tijuana Mexico due to the significant low cost of a consultation who also stated that it was not cancer that it didnt look anything indicative of that despite having described my symptoms to them one of them is a top head and neck surgeon in Mexico has had 25 years in practice...they along with a general doctor assured me that it was nothing and i was overthinking the situation and that i wanted to be told i had cancer which really angered me and in spanish he proceeded to say look your a young man you have nothing, go out and enjoy life.... and yet these symptoms persists which is why i think im going crazy...the doctors out there all said the same thing they told me here that its caused by acid reflux and i was told that i have a very severe case of it as a 23 year old....

Since you mentioned you are 23 years old have you had the Guardisil series of shots yet? This originally was for young women to prevent cervical cancer. This is now available to all young people between the ages of 12 and 26. It protects you against strains 16 and 18 of HPV which are known to cause oral cancer, anal cancer, penile cancer, genital warts and cervical cancer. If you have not gotten these shots, please do so immediately.

PS.... Do yourself another favor and stop seeking medical help from Mexico. There are many money making schemes that go on there which are not medically safe.

Hi there - .both my biopsies were excisional, they took a chunk of tongue the first guy just didn't go deep enough or hit the wrong area. I'm not sure what info ocf could give you re: drs. Someone here might have a good recommendation. I'd offer help but I'm Canadian. I would think that even someone at the top of their game in Mexico might still not be as good as someone in the states though that would depend on where they studied. Wait a bit keep an eye on it for a few weeks, if it gets worse or doesn't improve then go for another biopsy.

Best of luck