Hi all,

I hope I'm just being a hypochodriac but I'm a bit nervous. I have been a habitual marijuana smoker for many years (I'm 33) and I've heard that it can lead to mouth cancers. I've had pain in or on my tongue for a couple of weeks and I have redness on the side of my tongue (almost looks like I bit the side of my tongue). I am going to the doctor this week, but what else should I be looking for?

Not sure on what to advise you to look for since my husband has tonsil cancer and didn't have any signs that involved his tonge. John had a lump on his neck that he insisted was nothing for several months. BIG mistake. Good that you are going to a doctor asap.

It didn't happen to my husband but some people have been put on antibiotics and given a wait and see set-up which can waste valuable time if it's more than an infection. Might be good to raise the possibility of being seen by an ear/nose/throat specialist if your family doctor doesn't suggest it.

Mary

Thanks Mary. I'm hoping I am just being hypochondriacal, but I am definitely nervous. If I am ok, I am done with marijuana.

There are several, several things this could be. I think it's human nature to jump to the worst case first-I don't know why? Yeah, my dad went to 4 doctors before being correctly diagnosed. Make an appointment-I hope it's just a sore.

My problem began with what I thought was a simple ulcer that I had on the left side of my tongue that wouldn't go away. I knew it was more than a simple ulcer when my energy level became such that I had to sit and rest after doing small tasks. I also had some neck pain, almost like a stiff neck that wouldn't go away. Best advice I can give you is to get it checked. Hopefully it's nothing. It's better to know for sure than to speculate. By the way, I never had tobacco in any form in my mouth and have never consumed an alcoholic beverage. That's one of the reasons that I felt that I had a certain comfort level prior to my diagnosis. Don't put it off.......get it checked.

John

You don't mention what type of doctor you are seeing this week. That could be important.

Any redness and pain that doesn't go away in two weeks definitly should be checked. Don't worry about anyone thinking you are a hypocondriac. You are doing the right thing.

Please keep us posted as to what you find out.

Jerry

BMerk, you should not be looking for anything. These cancers can't be identified by just looking. Let the doctor do her/his thing. If the doc wants to "wait and see" then remind them that this has been there already for several weeks. If they seem unsure, politely ask to have a referral to an ENT for further evaluation. There are many things that aren't cancer so don't get too worried.

Take care and let us know how it turns out.

BMerk - I will echo what has already been said. There are many possible explanations for your complaint. The type of doctor you see can influence the advice you get. Many docs do not deal much with oral cancers, and might miss an important diagnostic feature. If your condition is something serious, your very best move is to act quickly. Getting a second opinion is money and time very well spent. Don't delay in finding out. If you do have an oral cancer, early diagnosis is really, really important. Take action. Keep us informed and best of luck. Tom

Another thing to look for is swollen lymph nodes in your neck. Do you have any "lumps" that are new? If you do, getting a doctor to check you out is a good precautionary measure. Not a sign of cancer, necessarily, could be a sign of infection, but still good to have them looked at.

A.

I found it hard to get in and see an ENT, they were "booked up" for about 2 months. I found it easier to get in and see my dentist who not only have more leway in their schedules but are trained in doing a full oral exam. You may have the best luck with this route. Good luck,
Erik