#83987 11-11-2008 04:28 PM | Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 1 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 1 | Im still at school, and have a small lump formed on my left cheek. I can move it with my tounge. I can feel it with my tounge and it looks like a tiny lump in the mirror. I tried speaking to my friends about it, but they laughed thinking i was being stupid.
What is it?
Is it cancer?
What should i do?
Last edited by jamt; 11-11-2008 04:30 PM.
Im scared...
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 |
First, take a deep breath. How long has it been there? If its been over two weeks then might want to check with a doctor. They will probably then send you to an oral surgeon for a biopsy. Thats the only way to tell if it is cancer. It takes about a week to get the results and then you will know. Try not to waste your time worrying about this, unfortunately that will not change the outcome.
I wish you the best of luck with this.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 475 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 475 | Yes, just as Christine said, if it is there for more than a few weeks, you need to get it checked. Do not wait any longer. It will give you piece of mind and an answer. Let us know how it turned out.
Good Luck!
Susan Lauria - OCF Director of Events - Always looking for volunteers to help spread the word about early detection! Contact me if you can help!
*Brother passed away from tongue cancer in 2006 at age 47, was co-caregiver, he was non-smoker/casual drinker
LETS MAKE ORAL CANCER HISTORY!
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 | If you go directly to an Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) Doctor (aka Otolaryngologist), he/she can do a biopsy if needed.
BTW, for general information, I have had trouble getting medical insurance to cover seeing an Oral Surgeon because they are sometimes considered as Dentists, rather than Medical Doctors.
Age 67 1/2
Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05
Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08
Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08
Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06
Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08)
Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08)
On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 790 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 790 | Yes- Just get a referral right away- insist upon it so you can put your mind at easre. I was misdiagnosed for 3-4 months because peopel thought Iw as being a hypocondriac.
Tongue Cancer T2 N0 M0 /
Total Glossectomy Due to Location of Tumor
Finished all treatments May 25 2007
Surviving!!!
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 | BTW, your concern is legitimate and it is your friends who are stupid to ignore warning signs of this nature -- However, I'll be charitable and presume your friends are acting this way in denial that something bad could happen to you OR them.
Age 67 1/2
Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05
Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08
Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08
Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06
Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08)
Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08)
On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 583 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 583 | Jamt,
We all are scare the first time we hear the words CANCER. The first thing you need to do is learn all you can about what you have. This site is a wonderful and great site to learn what you need to know..
So keep in touch and keep asking the questions you need to know.
Take care. Diane
2004 SCC R.tip 1/4 tongue Oct. 2005 R. Neck SCC cancer/Chemo Cisplatin 2x/8wks. Rad. Removed Jugular vein, Lymph gland & some neck muscle. TX finished 1/20/06... B.Cancer 3/29/07 Finished 6/07 Bi-op 7/15/09 SCC in-situ, laser surgery removed from 1st. sight. Right jaw replacement 11/3/14. 9 yrs cancer free as of Jan. 2015
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 794 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 794 | Jam, I hope you'll write back and let us know if you got an appointment and what the doctor said. Go to an ENT or an oral surgeon and get a professional opinion. If the lump is still there in two weeks, go back, no matter what the doctor says, and ask him to look again and take a biopsy, so that you'll know for sure that what you have is not dangerous. You must have an answer, and there is no reason to allow this lump to grow. You are smart...and alert....to notice it and to be concerned. Good for you!
Please write back!
XO--Colleen
Colleen--T-2N0M0 SCC dx'd 12/28/05...Hemi-maxillectomy, partial palatectomy, neck dissection 1/4/06....clear margins, neg. nodes....no radiation, no chemo....Cancer-free at 4 years!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 531 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 531 | I agree with Colleen we all get a little concerned when we don't hear back!!! We just wish the best for you...
Dianne..treatment at cc at Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario...insulin dependant, Surgery Sept 8/08 Tracheotomy,composite resection and bilateral neck dissection, left radial forearm free flap... T2N0 squamous cell carcinoma. No radiation A little over 2 yrs clear YAY
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | It isn't cancer until it is confirmed with a biopsy. Just go after your Dr for a referral , if he can't do a biopsy himself.Don't even give him time to relax or sleep by making him him so curious that he will do what is needed. Good luck and we are all with you.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
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