A year ago August had a partial glossectomy and neck dissection. The nodes came back clear so I've been seeing my Dr every two months. No chemo or radiation was done.

The last couple of days I've had a sore spot on the side of my tongue, but on the opposite side. I couldn't really see anything, but I caught sight of a white bump/lump waaaaaay in the back on my tongue, again on the other side of my previous cancer. I looked again this morning and it's still there and I have no idea how long it's been there. Like I said, it's way in the back and very difficult to see (at least for me). It's right where the tongue meets the way back of the throat.

The thing is, I was just at my Dr this week and it wasn't mentioned. Not even sure he saw it actually. Should I just keep an eye on it and call the Dr if it doesn't go away? I feel kind of stupid to call about it since I was just there.

Thoughts?

Cathy,

As you can see by my signature below, I've been dealing with oral cancer since 2005, had a recurrence in 2010, and dysplasia in 2011 - all the same area as my original tumor. Over the years I've had a few sore spots pop up on my tongue (both sides), and for the most part they resolved themselves within a week.

The general rule is if the sore is there for 2 weeks or more to have it checked out. For now I would keep an eye on it - take a good look in your mouth with a flashlight, perhaps take a picture or have someone else take a look, so you can watch for changes (getting bigger or smaller, color, etc.).

If it doesn't go away soon, contact your doctor to have it checked out. If is better to have your doctor check it out than to keep worrying that it could be cancer again.

Wishing you the best!

I get those on my tongue, the inside of my cheeks and inside my front lower lip. They have been caused by biting myself when I eat.

[quote=Uptown]I get those on my tongue, the inside of my cheeks and inside my front lower lip. They have been caused by biting myself when I eat. [/quote]

I get those too, but this is different from that. This is a white patch, about the size of a pencil eraser. It is on the tongue down near the gum. It's so far back that it is very hard to see. It is not the spot I went looking for that was sore. This is something different.

I'll watch it for a week or so and see what happens. I so do not want to go through this again!

Could this be the start of thrush?

Im always extra cautious so I would suggest giving your doc a call. It doesnt hurt to get checked out again, if for nothing else than to ease your mind. Better to rule anything serious out than to end up regretting a delay later.

Hopefully its nothing serious!!!

You know what... I would go see the dr. asap. It'll be on your mind until you do. I know we don't want to face the unknown - but it's better to know now what's going on than to wait too long to find out.

Chances are it's nothing and you'll be breathing a sigh of relief in a day or two but better safe than sorry.

hugs