Hello everyone, I am new here on the forum! I have lots of questions and am also very worried. Okay let me introduce myself first. I am a young mother of a son of 3 years and married. 2 years ago I had cervical dysplasia due to the HPV virus, so I needed to be operated.

This last past year I have seen several changes in my mouth. (does this has to do with HPV?) I Have seen bumps in the back of my tongue and they have never disappeared. The doctor told me last year that it was swollen papillae. So I did not worry much.

But after a while I felt like my whole mouth was getting heavy and it was very painful on the inside of my cheeks. Also my gums have discolored at the time from healthy light pink to reddish. So the doctor sends me to the dentist. But the dentist told me everything was fine and not to worry.

Now things are getting worse, I have like cold symptoms pain in my throat and it does not go away. Also on my right side of the tongue I have developed little bumps all the way in the back and they hurt too. (tingling feeling or burning)

So I made an appointment with the doctor she tells me that I have allergies first, then she gave me medication and nothing was solved. I still have the same symptoms. I Went back to the doctor and this time she says I have lichen planus. (and I am worried about cancer and she assures me that I do not have oral cancer, but somehow I did not trust her)

SO she sends me to the dermatologist so that he can confirm that I have Lichen Planus. Now the dermatologist tells me another story that I do not have Lichen Planus and sends me to the nose,throat,ear specialist. (don�t know how you call this in one word in English) .. So I ask him could it be cancer? He says it is an possibility. So now I need an Biopsy done of the tongue and gums to confirm all this. Now these symptoms in my mouth are now going very rapidly. From one day to another I have a new symptom. Now my appointment is until 5 January at the nose,throat,ear specialist. But I cannot wait any longer anymore, so I am going to Colombia to do a checkup there. ( I an from the Caribbean) I am so worried that I have oral cancer. But I pray that it is not cancer but something else.

I am just so afraid and need people to talk to at this moment that understands me!

Hi there try not to panic!!! I know it's easier said than done - I have ferocious meltdowns occasionally and im cancer free at the moment. however we have a saying here - its not cancer until the biopsy says so.
That said do not wait until jan 5 - this has been going on for a very long time - don't let it continue. First off unfortunately I'm not sure if there is anyone here from the Caribbean - I wish I could give you more advice - re the medical system... However I'm at a loss where that is concerned.
But I will tell you to push - research ENTs and find one who is considered very good and has an amazing reputation. Make and appointment with him or her if possible - if you need a referral from your dr. Ask for a referral to this specific person. Call tell them you are desperate and will take any appointment - even a cancellation.
If you cave a comprehensive cancer center where you are or nearby - this is where you want to be seen. Perhaps you can made an appointment directly.

Personally I can't tell you if your symptoms are cancer related - most people claim little or no pain with oral cancer - that's why it's found so late - however I had redness for a few years and a lump inside my tongue. No sores and no swollen lymph nodes until after the biopsy. And the the sore from the biopsy didn't eal all that readily - so there was burning and pain.

I did not have HPV related cancer - and I was told, allergies, sharp tooth, and lichen plans prior to the real diagnosis. often HPV related cancer - is in the tonsil, or not visible as its located deep in the throat (base of tongue) - the kind you see in your mouth is often not HPV (oral tongue, cheek, gum etc...) hopefully you have somethin unrelated - fingers crossed for you try to move up your appointment. And maybe see if your regular dr is able to get a head and neck ct scan - that would be a great head start and give you some answers... Hugs and take care!

Vanessa, welcome to OCF. I know you are worried and unsure of which way to turn. All too often dentists will not recognize oral caner. From what you are describing, it does not sound like it is oral cancer. Of course its not possible to diagnose you over the internet but it does not sound like you have the right symptoms.

Best thing to do is find yourself an ENT (ear, nose and throat specialist) who is experienced with oral cancer. A biopsy is the only way to tell for sure if it is cancer. Is it possible to call back to the ENT you have the January appointment with and attempt to get the appointment moved up? Wherever you decide to get checked out just make sure they are experienced with oral cancer.

To me, it sounds like something has irritated your mouth. It could be all kinds of things going on. If you are a smoker, now is the time to quit. Oral cancer caused by HPV+ is usually on the base of your tongue or tonsils not on the areas you have described.

Best wishes!

Hi Vanessa - I'm so glad you found this site. You have great advice above. I have to agree that it would really be good if you could get your appointment moved up sooner than January mainly because stress can really make you think of all the bad stuff that might not even be the reason for the problems you are having. And stress can lower your resistance and make you physically sick. Do find someone experienced with Cancer patients and tell them how stressed and worried you are. Or you could have someone call for you. That's what I did. When my son was waiting for an appointment with the ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) doctor that was two weeks away, I was so nervous I couldn't even talk on the phone and my son's ex-wife offered to call (pretended to be still married to him) and got the appointment moved up three days away from when she called! So it is possible. At the appointment when my son found out I had involved his ex-wife, he was really upset with me but I told him I was glad I did it and that I would accept help from anybody, because it got him to see the doctor a lot sooner! Take care and let us know what happens.

My GP's administrative assistant gave me this advice when I was trying to get a rheumatologist appointment moved up: call every morning and politely ask if there is a cancellation or if they can work you in. Emphasize how much you appreciate their help. If you have trouble doing this yourself, having someone call for you or at least call you and encourage you to make the call.

Hello everyone! Thank you all for your fast reply! It really calms me down. I am so glad I found this forum where I can talk to people who understand me. My symptoms became worse, I have pain in my throat now which worries me even more now. I feel like something is stuck there.

I am from an island where we do not have lots of doctors. So I have done everything possible to change my appointment for an earlier date.But nothing really.. So I am going to Colombia where I have an appointment for the 6th of December. Am going to check everything there, so am also calmer that I will have an appointment abroad and faster than here where I live.

The doctors here really don't care and you are just a number. At least that is the feeling I got. And I have never gone to the doctor before except for having my son, and for pap tests yearly. I was always healthy as a horse ;-) Now I get the feeling that the doctor find me annoying because I come all the time for my symptoms, but I read everywhere, when symptoms don't go away for 2 weeks a doctor needs to be serious about this. For me it has been a year already.

I will keep everyone updated. I will be going to Colombia the 4th of December until the 17th. And I hope for the best!!

(ooh I don't smoke, drink occasionally only for a party, b-days, Xmas etc..I used to smoke in my teens and 20ties, but was more of a social smoker.)

Thank you for your message Cheryld. These days I am busy with my son's B-day! He will be 3 tmr.so those are happy things for me at the moment. I see that you went trough similar diagnoses as I did. They also told me I had Lichen Planus, thooth propably coming out, gingivitis, allergies, etc..

All we want is just an answer to all of this. Did you have oral cancer? Or did they find something else?