#28172 08-01-2006 02:28 PM | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 7 Member | OP Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 7 | I have had a bump on my inner cheek for about two mounths. I am an ex-dipper, so I am a little worried about it. There is no discolorarion and it cannot be seen. You can not feel it when rubbing it with your fingers, but when I it with my tounge it feels pretty large~1cm diameter. I went to the medical clinic last week; I saw a nurse practitioner and she could not see or feel anything. She said whatever it is, it is not cancer. The area is sore. Do any of you all think I should go see a dentist about it? It seems to be growing, but that could just be my imagination. I know I am probably being paranoid. Just looking for some input.
Thanks, Ben | | |
#28173 08-01-2006 03:03 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 | Ben, if you have a regular dentist, go seehim. If not,ask around about who is really good- for your own peace of mind. Amy
CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease
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#28174 08-01-2006 05:20 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 235 Gold Member (200+ posts) | Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 235 | Hi Ben,
I like to err on the side of caution. I would make an appointment to see a knowldegable dentist for a full oral cavity examination. If you are not comfortable with your current dentist's abilities, I would ask for a referral.
Dave
Mom's caregvr. DDS failed to dx 01/03. Dx Stg IV SCC 05/03. Induct. chemo, IMRT, 5FU, H, Iressa, Neck disect, radiation. Dad's caregvr. Dx 01/04 Ext. Stg SCLC. Mets to liver/bone 08/04. Died 11/12/04. Mom tongue CA dx 06/13, hemiglossectomy (80% removed) 08/13. Clean margins and nodes, but PNI. 6/15/15: Tongue CA at base of remnant tongue. Declined further tx; hospice. Died 10/13/15. What a long and difficult journey.
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#28175 08-01-2006 07:04 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Ben, I am am not sure that I agree with either of the previous posts. Diseases of the head and neck, which is an extreamely complex area, require the diagnosis of a specialist, either an ENT or a head & neck surgeon. My dentist has only seen 3 cancers in a patient in over 35 years of practice. (I was one of the three and he didn't know what it was even though the tumor was larger than a golf ball).
It sounds like an infection but with your previous history of dipping tobacco I wouldn't risk a mis-diagnosis. Early detection is key.
Gary Allsebrook *********************************** Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2 Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy) ________________________________________________________ "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#28176 08-02-2006 03:05 AM | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 7 Member | OP Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 7 | Appreciate the responses. I called to make a dentist appointment this morning. I would prefer to go to an ENT, but all I have is university insurance and for the insurance to pay the clinic I first attended would have to recomend it, which they did not. Thanks, Ben | | |
#28177 08-02-2006 04:31 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 235 Gold Member (200+ posts) | Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 235 | I should have known better based on my mom's experience with a dentist. Gary is so right, an ENT is the way to go. I apologize. I was pissed off at myself after giving my original response some more thought. Sorry again.
Mom's caregvr. DDS failed to dx 01/03. Dx Stg IV SCC 05/03. Induct. chemo, IMRT, 5FU, H, Iressa, Neck disect, radiation. Dad's caregvr. Dx 01/04 Ext. Stg SCLC. Mets to liver/bone 08/04. Died 11/12/04. Mom tongue CA dx 06/13, hemiglossectomy (80% removed) 08/13. Clean margins and nodes, but PNI. 6/15/15: Tongue CA at base of remnant tongue. Declined further tx; hospice. Died 10/13/15. What a long and difficult journey.
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#28178 08-02-2006 04:57 PM | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 7 Member | OP Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 7 | Gary, judging from your information, you had an 18 cm^2 tumor that your dentist did not diagnose. All dentist cannot be judged on this one case, but it does make me want to go to an ENT. I have a dentist apointment next week; I am going to wait and see what she has to say. Ben | | |
#28179 08-02-2006 05:19 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | An ENT visit is about 70-80 bucks out of pocket. Your life is well worth the investment. I am not judging my dentist - it's just not their field of expertise. It's like bringing my BMW to a Subaru dealer for repairs.
Gary Allsebrook *********************************** Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2 Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy) ________________________________________________________ "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#28180 08-02-2006 05:52 PM | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 7 Member | OP Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 7 | Point well taken. I'll give the ENT a shout tommorow. Ben | | |
#28181 08-10-2006 03:38 PM | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 7 Member | OP Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 7 | Well, I tried to get an appointment with an ENT but they were booked up for a couple of mounths, so I went to the dentist today. She was able to locate the lump; she said it was probably nothing, but I did need to have it seen about.
I went back to the school clinic and obtained a reference for an oral surgeon, but there is still one problem; I could not get an appointment untill the end of September.
I would really prefer to get this whole situation ironed out, but I have no Idea how to go about it. I made the apointment, but a month and a half is a little longer than I want to wait. Any ideas???
Thanks, Ben | | |
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