I have had a small pale white mark that noticed on the side of my tongue over three weeks ago. The dentist told me it was an ulcer but it didn't clear up. She told me to go to the GP if I was worried. It doesn't look like an ulcer to me as it's not red or sore. Today the GP looked at it and said it has rolled edges and is probably only 2mm in diameter. He gave me an urgent referral to an oral surgeon. I have had a sore tongue for the last few years and went to see a periodontist about it several times, but he said it was nothing. I also have had recurring mild earache on the same side. I don't know what to think and am trying to remain calm, but am really concerned.

I would suggest seeing an ENT, one that specializes in treating oral cancer patients. Not saying what you have is cancerous but this type of physician would be most knowledgeable on things like what you described. Our golden rule is any sore in the mouth that has not resolved itself within 2 or 3 weeks should be checked by a specialist (meaning an ENT). Some oral surgeons are ok to see but some mainly treat wisdom teeth or TMJ while others will surgically remove the spot before knowing what they are dealing with. Believe it or not, many dentists and family doctors are not familiar with mouth sores. Hopefully an ENT will do a biopsy and then you will know for certain what you are dealing with. Hopefully its nothing serious.

Good luck!!!

Thank you so much for answering me. I am worried out of my mind. It is very small and I'm holding on to hope that this would be in my favour.

Definitely push for a biopsy - it is the only way to know for sure what it is. If you live near a major cancer center they should an ENT (ear nose and throat specialist) on staff. Not to scare you even more, but the first sign that I had cancer was a small painful canker sore on my tongue. Wishing you the best!

Thank you Susan. I was given an urgent referral by my GP so should be in next week. Do you think I should be going to emergency instead of waiting? I'm in the UK and am not sure how things work here at all for something like this.

Joce, I'm in the US so I'm not familiar with the procedures in the UK. I don't think a visit to the emergency center is necessary unless you have acute systems (servere pain, fever, etc) as I don't believe they will do a biopsy in the ER.

In my case, I went to my GP first, who referred me to an oral surgeon who did a biopsy in the office (on my second visit). When it was confirmed that I had cancer, I went to an ENT who did my surgeries.

I don't know how things work in the UK, but when I first called the ENT's office to make an appointment after I was told I had cancer, the "first" available appointment was weeks away. I made that call from the parking lot of the oral surgeon who just gave me the news I had cancer, so I went back into their office and they made the call to the ENT and I got an appointment with the ENT that week.

Thank you so much, that's so helpful. It's a wonderful forum, thank you for being here.