Hello this is my first post here. A little over 4 weeks ago i developed what i believe was a painful canker sore on the tip of my tongue from a mild bite. During that time i was also under going an extreme amount of stress. However as these 4 weeks went by the sore hasnt really healed at all. I have had some pretty bad canker sores in the past in my mouth usually from bites or brushing my teeth too hard etc., however even the worst ones have lasted maybe 3 weeks at the most.

I have also developed a strange soreness in my teeth and an occasional mild ear ache, more like a feeling that they are plugged up.

Please tell me can i make an appointment at one of the big cancer care facilities on your list or do i have to see a regular dr first for a referral? I know you recommend ents but is there a way to bypass them and go straight to the ccc? I just want a biopsy done as soon as possible. I feel like its all over for me. Im only 30 and am devastated right now. I know trauma has led to oc and with this not healing i know what im probably in for.

I can imagine each CCC may have different guidelines so make a call or 2 Monday however you may be better served at this point to call and get an apt with an ENT and ask if they have experience with oral cancer first.

First, welcome.

Second, you cannot get into a cancer center without a cancer diagnosis. That has to come from a work up by an ENT that has experience with oral cancer.

Third, address your anxiety. Nothing good will ever come out of that.

Good luck and I hope it's nothing to warrant worry and concern.

Thanks for the advice im going to try calling different ent dr offices on Monday to get something scheduled. Ill make sure to ask if they have experience with oral cancer patients.

While you may have some symptoms of oral cancer, chances are slim that it is. You are relatively young and stress and other things can cause the symptoms you are experiencing. We do advice to have any non-healing sore in your mouth to be checked out by a medical professional, so making an appointment with an experienced ENT is the first step.

Good luck and try to stay calm!

[quote=Susan2992]While you may have some symptoms of oral cancer, chances are slim that it is. You are relatively young and stress and other things can cause the symptoms you are experiencing. We do advice to have any non-healing sore in your mouth to be checked out by a medical professional, so making an appointment with an experienced ENT is the first step.

Good luck and try to stay calm! [/quote]

Yes i am trying my best to be calm but everyday that i wake up and observe the sore not healing my mind goes into a dark place and all i feel is dread.

Although im fairly young i do know that oc among people my age is not uncommon. I did smoke in my late teens/early 20s but havent since then. I rarely drink, maybe once a year.

I just want the biopsy done as soon as possible. Ive never had a biopsy done before can you tell me what it all entails and how much pain is involved?

I had my first biopsy (tongue) done by an oral surgeon in the office. He numbed the area, removed a small sample, and then stitched it up. It wasn't pleasant, but not as bad as I expected. The next day I got on a plane to attend a business meeting. I was able to eat and talk, but it was a little uncomfortable for a few days. It took a few days (maybe a week) to get the results, and most doctors will schedule you for a follow-up appointment to go over the results and to check to make sure you are healing OK from the biopsy.

Some ENTs may refer you to an oral surgeon for the biopsy, but the ENT that treated me did a few biopsies right in the office. If the ENT decides to do a biopsy, they may have you come back for another appointment. This is something you can ask when you call to make an appointment.

Yes, OC does not discriminate because of age, and we have a number of forum members that are your age. But again you are relatively young and there are a number of things it could be besides oral cancer. It is best to have it checked out.

It is hard not to worry once you think you have cancer. Only a biopsy can determine if it is cancer. Make an appointment tomorrow to have it checked out. Then try to think of other things and keep busy! Worry won't help!

Welcome to OCF. As other have stated first stop is to get to an ENT or oral surgeon and get it looked at and a biopsy as needed. This is the most expedient way to get more indication of what is going on.

This is a very common procedure so what I would ask when you call around is your desire to have a very fast turnaround. You should be able to find a provider who can ensure you receive a report out in one or two business days at the most.

The reason I raise this is it mind numbing to learn how long the delay is for some folks to get the report. This is something important to you, given your heightened level of stress and anxiety.

Good luck

If it is determined to be oc or tongue cancer via a biopsy, are my chances any better of it being in stage 1 or 2 status since it is being diagnosed while the sore is still fairly small? Or is the size of the sore not really indicative of the current stage that its in?

Also the sore hurts bad just like a severe canker sore would.

Only after the doctor's exam, a biopsy and a PET scan can the stage be determined. What shows on the outside isnt the entire sore...that is IF its cancerous. Take one step at a time and get checked out first. Hopefully its nothing serious and can easily get corrected.

Best wishes!

Please do yourself a favour before you Google yourself to death. Not every headache is a brain tumour, and not every doctor is a clueless hack. Your condition could be something very easily diagnosed and not malignant. See your doctor first. If he excludes cancer there is probably a very good reason and if there is any doubt at all he'll do a biopsy. Let us know how you go.

Short answer is the sooner cancer is discovered the better the chance of success.

Did you guys have your biopsies done by an oral surgeon, ENT, or head and neck doctor? Ive been making phone calls to set up appointments and have been getting conflicting information.

Either an oral surgeon or an ENT is qualified to do a biopsy. Ive had them done by both. For most its preferable to have an ENT do the biopsy. For most it makes it easier to have who will be managing your care do it.

Ok thanks for the informative response, Christina.

Now, I have been in deep despair for the last 2 weeks because I truly believe that I have OC. But for the sake of giving me hope, what else could this over month-long canker sore on my tongue be if it isnt C? I see some responses here saying that it might very well not end up being OC, but what could it be then?

There are many, many different things your sore could be instead of cancer. It could be leukoplakia, oral lichen planus, dysplasia, a benign cyst, erythroplakia or maybe even thrush to name a very few possibilities. Mouth sores can be caused from a tooth rubbing on delicate mouth tissues or even from medications or compromised immune systems. I think there is an association with epstein barr as well. See, all kinds of things can cause this and also it could be any number of things. Try not to worry until you know what it is for certain then make your battle plan on how to deal with it. Stress does not help at all it could make whatever is going on worse so please do yourself a favor, relax and keep busy with positive things.