Well, not near as clueless as I was 10 days ago. I am not diagnosed yet. I have always had dental issues, was never taken to the dentist as a child. I grew up with 7 brothers and sisters, and if you didn't have a toothache you didn't go to the dentist. SO my whole adult life has been patch, patch, patch. Bridges, crowns, fillings, root canals, I have had them all. It became apparent as I entered my 50's that all the patching wasn't going to do anymore. Teeth under crowns and even root canal teeth were having to be pulled. After an extraction in May, at which I know this wasn't in my mouth, I made the descion to get dentures. I had three more teeth pulled 4 weeks ago. Last week, while looking in a mirror to see how the bottom extraction was heeling, I see something in the bottom of my mouth. It looks like a blood blister. It isn't bleeding, doesn't hurt, just looks like your figner when you smash it in a door. I am terrified. Black means melanoma to me. I have been reading your boards since last week and the few people that posted about oral melanoma didn't find any info, so not sure if there is anything you can tell me.
I did let a 4th yr student pull the teeth last time because it saved me 97. wich was my co pay. I am wondering if its even possible that he pinched the area cause it is in a raised place under the tongue? He was rough compared to my regular guy.
I hope that if this is bad news, I have the strength, the will, and the fortitude that many of you here have had. Many of your stories I have read makes me amazed at the tenacity of the human spirit. I hope if I have to make this journey I have half the stength that you have.
I would like to add, that I have never smoked, never drank (abusive alcholic parent)I tell my kids I am the only person my age I know that never tried pot, ever. So this has been a shocker and I am blown away by the age of some of at diagnosis.
If any of you from tx could recommmed ENTs with oral cancer experience it would be much apprecaited. I may need one afer my dental app tomorrow. Close to Dallas area would be better. I don't see that they have a CCC but it is where I need to start. Thanks for any info God Bless
Sheree

Sheree,

Welcome to OCF, glad you found us, sorry you had to!

None of us will be able to be able to give you a clue as to what's going on in your mouth as it could be a multitude of different conditions and not necessarily cancer.

You've identified the area of concern so any ENT will be able to biopsy the area and get a pathology report to check for malignancy. That is the only step to take at this point. Our saying on these boards is that its NOT cancer until a biopsy says it is so clear your mind and go see the ENT and wait for the results.

Don't scare yourself with too much info right now, just take the steps to get it checked out and go from there.

Good luck

Eric

Welcome! If you have a sore in yoru mouth that has been there for longer than 2 weeks you need to get a professional to check it out. Only thru a biopsy will you be able to tell what it is. You can call your insurance company and ask for some local oral surgeons or ENTs who have oral cancer experience. Some dentists will do biopsies too but usually they will send you to an oral surgeon or ENT. Get an appointment and get it checked. Its usually a 3 appointment thing, you go for the consult, then they set up the biopsy date, you return a week later for the results. Best wishes for this to be nothing serious!

of course you should have it looked at, but by way of reassurance, black means dried blood to me. Chin up, injury (ie blood blister) after tooth extraction is definitely a logical possibility so keep that in mind when you get it examined.

Thanks, I pray there is a logical explanation for this. It definately isn't dried blood. I guess black was too vague a description. It is darkish, definatley part of the tissue. It wasn't there last trip to the dentist. I will see the dentist tomorrow. Tried to jump past him and see an oral surgeon earlier in the week and they told me to wait until I had seen the dentist. I won't call them again. I feel like I am wasting time. Waited to see the dentist, then find an ENT, then wait for biopsy, then wait for results. I had a melanoma insitu on my neck 7 yrs ago. I had no idea what it was and was too naive to be scared. I know better after reading this board for the last ten days. Wish me luck. And thank you

Sheree - Hope everything goes well with your appointment today. You asked about best CCC - you might check out these links:

http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/resources/cancer_centers.htm

http://health.usnews.com/health/best-hospitals/cancer-hospital-rankings/

I noticed there is one listed in Housten, TX.

Hi there - good luck with your check up... This too sounds almost like a bruise or blister to me (one with blood in it. - maybe a small bleed caused by the extraction? try not to worry until you see the oral surgeon. It could be many things - best of luck and take care!

Thanks to all that commented. He feels it is likely a trauma, and wants to take a wait and see approach. I don't really like that. We shall see. Thanks to all that commented. I will still read your forum, there are some great people on here. Best Wishes

Never text and type at the same time. Makes for crazy looking posts :))

Welcome to the forum. I hope your appointment went smoothly today. I know MD Anderson in Houston is a very highly regarded center. Probably too far for you, but perhaps you could call them and ask if they recommend anyone in the DFW area? Hopefully this is something caused by the dental extractions and nothing to worry about. I hope you get some answers very soon.