I am interested in knowing more about HPV in mouth. I have recently noticed that the entire back of my tongue has bumps some small and some more prominent. I have been to the ENT 3 times but he has never done a direct scope only looked down my throat with a long mirror stating at he does not see Anything. I pointed out the bumps and he states that it is normal. I also showed this to the dentist who stated the same thing. I have always noticed that my taste buds are a bit prominent but these bumps go beyond that. It gives the sensation of a something being lodged In the throat. With HPV would it be possible that bumps will spread like that. I am uttering with this right now and Ny feedback will be appreciated.

Stef,

OK now remember none of us are Oral Cancer docs, just battle tested. You have been to your normal front line dentist and he/she say's it's normal; you have been to an ENT THREE times and he/she says it's normal. They both are schooled, trained and licensed to practice in their respective fields. Even if you had not gone to an ENT that would have been our recommendation. So if I were you I would stop worrying.

It's not that easy as I see all these bumps in my throat/tongue. In your experience would the bumps/lumps be present in the entire area. I stick my tongue out very far with a flashlight and I see the large bumps going into my throat. I understand you cannot make a diagnosis I'm just asking have you ever had any similar stories. I'm suffering mentally and physically with this and just looking for someone to shed some light. This just started about 5 or 6 weeks ago and I have read that OC is usually only caught at late stages. I have 2 small children and cannot fathom the thought of dying and leaving them behind. I have read so much on OC and barely come across anything encouraging. I'm not trying to be annoying but this was the only site that seemed informative. I'm a severe hypochondriac just seeking assistance.

Hi Stef,

As already mentioned, three exams from your ENT and one from your dentist and they say you're ok. I would take that as pretty good odds that you don't have oral cancer. If they thought something was suspicious, they would have said so and done more. Personally, the only symptom I had was a swollen gland that didn't go away. No bumps on my tongue, no pain, no issues swallowing. A fine needle biopsy of the swollen gland showed the cancer.

Of course we're not doctors but what you described doesn't present itself as oral cancer, at least nothing I experienced or read here. A very specific strain of HPV is responsible for oral cancers and only a very small percentage of people infected with the HPV virus get oral cancer.

If I were to give any advice it would be: Don't smoke, stay away from drinking hard alcohol and speak to a therapist about your health anxiety.

Positive thoughts and prayers

"T"

I understand what you are saying but the fact that I am experiencing intermittent ear pain sometimes in both ears but mostly the right and the sensation of something in throat I do feel like I have a legitimate fear. Each time I look in my mouth it scares me further. I pull out my tongue as far as I can with a cloth and its disgusting how I have all the bumps some big and some small. When I look at the pictures online It appears in one spot. This scares me because if I should have cancer it now makes me feel like it spread throughout my entire mouth. I don't want to seem crazy but this forum was put in place for support and information. I'm fairly young and do appreciate your comments and insights. Please continue to shed some light on this. I'm scared out of my mind.

Perhaps you should consult with a Comprehensive Cancer Center and get the ENT to scope you like Memorial Sloan.

Well i went to another ENT doctor and she scoped the throat and stated that she did not see any abnormalities. she played the video back for me and showed me my tonsils, tongue, vocal cords and cheeks. although i did not know what to look for she stated nothing looked bad. she stated that the bumps did not look concerning and contributed it to lymphoid tissue. Would this scope have seen the base of the tongue and the orphanyx? Is this reliable? I say this because i just cant shake the symptoms and i am still afraid.

Yes the scope can see all the way down there.

Thank you. I'm just very concerned because I am still having symptoms. So would it be okay to trust all is well or should I continue to see someone else in case something was missed. I greatly appreciate all responses from others who have been faced with the same issue. It really helps to have support. Thanks again.

[quote=Stefsoscared]I'm a severe hypochondriac just seeking assistance. [/quote]

Stef,

Based on your statement above, let me ask you... Would it matter if we said you have nothing to worry about? With all due respect, IMO, the assistance you seek would best be served by a mental health professional specializing in health anxiety disorders.

Positive thoughts and prayers,

"T"