hey i'm 18 and have a fary big big painless lump in the lower right side of my mouth about the size of a small grape the lump is for the most part very soft expeft for a small part in it it has no pain what so ever tho i makeing a app to the dennis friday after next my oral higeny is kinda of the low side due to to much sweets and such. any one have any idea what it could be i knowtance it for about 2 or 3 weeks now but it could have been there longer and its not growing from what i can tell and i also have another q how fast dose oral canser grow on average?

Hi there Abaddon,

If you search and look around on this forum (click search and type in the words) you will find several people your age have asked the same question as you have. Generally the response you will get is that ANY sore or lump, that lasts for more than 2 weeks, should be checked by a Dentist, Oral Surgeon, Ear Nose and Throat Doctor, or any combination of those specialists. In addition a biopsy (small sample) should be sent to a Pathologist for microscopic analisys. You didn't mention if you use tobacco (chew or smoke). Your risk of cancer is fairly low at your age so don't worry too much yet. DO GET IT CHECKED OUT and then take good care of your teeth. You don't get any more than you have know.

What do you mean by "...and such". Like you chew tobacco or something even dumber or more disgusting than not maintaining your oral hygiene(your girlfriend puts up with that?)?

Having been down that path, I wouldn't trust a dentist OR an oral surgeon to make an accurate diagnosis. Although some have been very fortunate to get an early detection from their dentist. Brian's working on changing that.

"Painless" is not good. Infections are usually always accompanied by pain. Cancer is usually painless although not always. There are also benign things it could be (which could also be painless so don't freak out yet).

Your age is working for you but don't let people blow sunshine up your ass and tell you that "people your age rarely get cancer". If it doesn't respond to antibiotics within a week or two (most of us go through a round or 2 of antibiotics before they start to get serious) get a referal to a competent ENT or head & neck surgeon and insist on a biopsy.

Oral cancers can be be very aggressive once they find a good blood supply. My head & neck surgeon told me that my tumor probably got started 1-2 years prior to the Dx. It was quite large by time they zapped it.

I compliment you for seeking us out and having the courage to get to the bottom of it quickly. Oral cancer is nothing to fool around with. Just don't drop the ball.

i went today t othe dentist and he took a full mouth x ray and said it want canser but he didn;t know what it was he going to look out for it and in 2 weeks if it don;t make move he going to send me to a oral surgeon. oh and i don;t smoke or dip at all i hate that stuff