I was just wandering for those on this forum that have been diagnosed with palate cancer; how did it present itself? My lump is at the soft/hard palate junction near my gum, it's not ulcerated and it been there for atleast 2 years. I guess I'm just fishin for something to make me feel better until I see the specialist.

Youngin'...Of course, oral cancer presents itself in many different ways, so you can't diagnose yourself based on someone else's symptoms. That said....I had SCC that began at the gumline on the cheek side of my upper jaw, at a rear molar. My dentist mis-diagnosed it, and it remained there long enough to spread to the inner side of the gum, where it was missed again, and it spread to the adjacent hard palate (where the dentist STILL did not recognize it, BTW!) I noticed it when I was eating something salty and spicy because it hurt a bit. I felt it with my tongue, and it was flat and ulcerated. I looked, and it was not ghastly-looking, but it was definitely not normal tissue. It was red, with some little spots, and raised but flat...not a lump or bump.

I have no idea what your lump could be. To have been there for two years is odd. It seems to me that in two years it would have done something..would have changed significantly.

Have you just now noticed it? Or have you watched it from time to time and it has remained the same over that time?

I didn't realize that my lesion was there, and when my surgeon saw it, he said that because of its size, it had to have been there at least a year.

So.....1. When do you see the specialist? 2. Any lump is cause for concern. 3. If it has been there for two years un-changed, then I would feel that maybe it is something benign. 4. I don't know if there are ANY benign lumps and bumps that occur on the palate, but I'll bet that there are some. 5. If it has been there for at least two years, then whatever time (short, I hope!!) you have to wait before seeing the specialist won't make too much difference.

So....get into neutral until you can get some accurate information. ...easier said than done!

I'm here in Knoxville. Anne-Marie and company steered me toward Oral Surgeon at the local CCC. The earliest I could get in was May 3. You're right getting into neutral is easier said than done. As far as the lump being unchanged, I'm pretty sure it has grown some over time. Although I would definitely call it slow -growing. I have been watching it closely for a couple of months and it doesn't seem like it's changed much. I've had a dentist, a gp, and two ent's look at it and not even a biopsy. My job requires me to research things quit a bit. I've researched this thing extensively and either the internet is worthless for researching medicine or someone should have mentioned biopsy by now or atleast referred me to a specialist. At this point I've decided the safest thing that I can do is follow the advice of the folks that have fought this beast.

When I said that the Dr's looked at it, I meant felt it. You can't see it as it is sub-mucossal. I think its probably the size of a jelly-belly jelly bean (technical description). With the tongue it feels like size of uh, I don't know, Volkswagen beetle or something like that.

Hi All, on this subject, I just came from my oral surgeon and he found a lump in my upper palate and biopsied it, I am TERRIFIED! I did not even know that it was there, I have had an earache, sorethroat and a sore in my mouth for about a month, my oral surgeon was checking the sore and discovered the lump, anyone else ever had this? Thanks, Carol

My palatal lesion was not a lump. It was flatter, and on the surface. It was ulcerated and very obvious, once I felt it and had a look. My lesion began on my gums, however, and was undiscovered for many months. It was flat, and red, with some little spots/speckles. Sometimes it would look different, but it did not get better or go away.

You mention a lump......and a sore. Are they the same? at the same spot?

Please keep us posted. There are many things in the mouth that look bad but get better, and are not cancer, but of course you are doing the right thing to get it biopsied and tested. Please don't panic! and keep us posted.

I hope that what you notice is one of the many other oral problems that appear in the mouth.

Hi, thanks for writing. Well I had a sore in the very back of my mouth that my surgeon has been watching for two weeks, I went back yesterday and he said he saw the lump and wanted it biopsied and he also said it was worrisome....which of course, put me into a crazy state.....I love my doctor so much so I know he answered me honestly when I asked him.....I am praying the c is not back.....thanks, Carol

Carol,

So sorry that you have to go through this. You will be in my prayers and I hope that the biopsy comes back negative.

Jerry

Carol, you might want to start a new "thread." This one is straying from your own issues.

I sure do hope that your biopsy doesn't show that "the c is back." Tell us about your first go-'round. You don't have any information in your signature line. Where was your first oral cancer? What treatment have you had for that?

Good Luck! Please write us as soon as you know more.

Thank you Jerry and Colleen, At this point I am taking the pain meds and doing not much of anything else except of course praying I don't have cancer again. First time, it was in my tongue and lymph nodes on my neck. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers...Carol

Carol, when do you think you'll find out your results? I hope he will call you before the weekend! The waiting game is not fun, as you know!

How about fixing up your signature line at the profile page, and then starting a new topic, all your own, so we can find you easier and stay informed about your situation. You'll note that Youngin' last posted in this topic in April.

Here's hopin' that all is well! Be sure to tell us the news when you get it, whether it is good or bad, so we can rejoice or worry with you!
XO

Colleen, I am seeing my oral surgeon tomorrow am. I will fix up my signature line as soon as I can....Thanks, Carol

Good Luck tomorrow! I know you are nervous, but tomorrow will be here soon, and then you will have your answers. I hope you get good news! I'll be praying for that, and I'll check back here to see what you write.

Welllll, the oral surgeon said it is scc, probably stage 1. I will have a pet scan of head and neck Mon or Tuesday, Wed. will talk with surgeons re: my surgery. I have already had radiation,(5 years ago for tongue cancer) so at this point, it doesn't look like it would be an option.....the scariest thing is, well there are two things actually, hopefully it has not spread and the doctor mentioned having to split my jaw to get to it......all prayers and good thoughts welcome.....thanks so much, Carol

Jeez Carol 5 years and off you go again.

i cant find any words sweetie just love and pain for your situation.

love and huge hugs liz

Thank you Liz!

Carol: Don't rule out re-radiation! There are others here who can tell you more about their personal experiences!
I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Do let us help you get through this difficult time!

Lois & Buzz in NC

Carol,
Am thinking of you and sending loads of love your way!
Stage 1 is definitely not too bad on this horrible cancer scale--hang on to that and try and keep positive--we're all here for you!

Love, Brenda

Carol,

I'm sending lots of positive thoughts your way. You've caught this early, and you will kick it in the behind. I truly feel what you are going through, as I still have the remains of a suspicious lump. My ent is giving it till the end of the month to see if it's gone, if not I will be having surgery for a biopsy. It is not as prominent as it was initially,and no longer sore, but lump is wanting to remain, I'm praying it goes away.
lots of hugs,
Laura

Carol.....My heart goes out to you to think of going through this a second time.

My palatal surgery was able to be done without an external incision. I know that no two cases are alike, so of course, your surgeon will know best, but I would surely get more than one opinion.

Is your lesion on the hard palate or the soft palate? Where was your first cancer located?

Please keep us posted, and I will keep you in my prayers as you begin this second journey. You did it once, and you can do it again. I am just sorry that you have to!

THanks for writing to me all....Colleen, the first oral cancer was my tongue and two lymph nodes 5 years ago, geeeezzzzzzzz, I just bragged a bit too much I suppose this past May when I hit the 5 year mark....my oral surgeon, who I absolutely love, told me this a Second Primary of SCC on the soft palate......I will keep you posted, he is meeting with my oncologist and I am getting a petscan on Tuesday, then will meet with my surgeon and another surgeon at Univ of Md. on Wed......Love to All, Carol

Laura, I am praying your lump does go away, I went in for a check of a sore I noticed and my surgeon was immediately suspicious of the lump that he biopsied and turned out to be c, I hope yours goes away and NEVER comes back.....Lois and Buzz, I was told I had the maximum amount of radiation the last go around which was 7 weeks of radiation...but my surgeon is checking with my oncologist....my husband asked about chemo, no answer on that one yet....will find out more Wed.
Thanks everyone....please pray it is contained......Have a wonderful day, you guys are the greatest group of people!

Carol, you have a busy week ahead, but at least then you will have answers and a plan. That will help! I hopehopehope that you get good news, but if you don't, I can tell that you are the type who will shift gears and get down to doing what you have to do. I have a routine PET/CT in a few weeks, as part of my two-year checkup.

Thank you Sweetie.....I will be praying for your pet/ct too.......Love, Carol

This is probably not the correct place to post this question but here goes, has anyone had radiation twice or two different cancers, same area? Thanks, Carol

Carol....You'll get better answers to your question if you'll re-post it under your own subject line. It's getting lost here.

Good luck with your scan tomorrow. I will be waiting to hear!

I will be going to Houston tomorrow for surgery to repair my drooping eyelid, which is a result of nerve damage done in my neck dissection two years ago. The surg. will be Wed. morning, and, presuming that all goes well, we will be back home on Thursday afternoon. This is "small potatoes" compared with what so many have to deal with.