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#195559 01-02-2018 07:15 PM
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Male 38
Smoked for 10 years into my 20s. Quit in my late 20s. Using a vaporizer now and no longer smoke.

I’ve had a white lump on my gums for almost 5 months now and my Dentist seems to think it’s no big deal. I was concerned, so I booked some time with an oral surgeon that my dentist referred me to.

The oral surgeon took an sample that came back as HPV, but says the lump isn’t something I should worry about. He schedule time to cut it out but doesn’t even think it needs a biopsy. Is this normal? I’m convinced it’s cancer.

Bless you all.

Last edited by ChristineB; 01-03-2018 05:14 AM. Reason: removed picture

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Welcome to OCF! A few things you wrote concern me. Your dentist showing no concern is NOT right! Neither is how the oral surgeon took a sample and told you it is HPV. Wasnt that a biopsy he did? I would NOT have it removed until you know exactly what you are dealing with. If you dont already have copies of the HPV pathology report, ask for it along with any office visit notes for the past 5 months of when the spot was found. Then get yourself to an ENT who specializes in treating oral cancer patients. Specifically ask when making the appointment, you do NOT want an ENT who mainly puts tubes in childrens ears. Im not saying its oral cancer (OC). It could be any number of things that are not serious. But you need a qualified professional (ENT) to give you a thorough exam and biopsy that spot to find out exactly what it is. Its likely going to be a few weeks until an ENT can see you so find positive things to do that will keep your mind focused so you dont worry as much. Worrying never changed anything or made anyone feel better. I know waiting to find out stinks but its a necessary evil that we all must go thru to find out what our concern turns out to be. Hopefully yours wont be anything serious.

Now I want to address vaping. I know vaping is newer and is touted as being a safe alternative to smoking. In reality, vaping does not have all the years of testing behind it to even know all the dangers it entails. Some studies have uncovered even when the package says its safe, there still are cancer causing chemicals released when vaping. I suggest you put a conscious effort into avoiding vaping (hopefully quitting completely) and any other irritants like alcohol or mouthwash that contains alcohol. As a former smoker I know its not easy to quit. But, please let this scare be your wake up call and eliminate ALL forms of tobacco for good. You sure dont want to look back on your years of vaping and say to yourself .... "if only I had quit" while suffering from some of the many life altering ailments caused by smoking and vaping. To be completely honest with you, thats something I could say and oh how I wish I could turn back time. I could have avoided going thru over 10 years of hell and losing half my lower jaw all due to my little "habit" of smoking. Sorry for nagging but please get rid of tobacco in any form. I would hate to see anyone go thru even alf of what I have when it is preventable just by avoiding tobacco in all forms.

Please let us know how you make out. Best wishes!!!





Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
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Thanks Christine!

The surgeon said the bump was no big deal, but wanted to do a scrape test to see if I had HPV. That was the only test he did, which came up positive for HPV 22. After I got the results, he told me that he wasnt going to do anything. That didnt sit well with me so I pressed and he finally said that he would cut it out to "ease my mind".

I took you advice this morning and made an appointment with a ENT cancer specialist at a top rated school out here, but sadly I wont be able to see him until the 18th. I already told their switchboard that I was specifically looking for a biopsy and gave them the entire history of the issue. The worst part now is waiting even longer for a result. I feel terrible because the wife and I are on a vacation and I can't seem to have any fun or enjoy this time.

Also, I think you're right about the Vaping. I've quit before and I can do it again. I got tricked by the "safe alternative" but from what I understand any irritant can cause Leukoplakia and it wouldnt shock me if vaping did too.

P.S. Sorry for posting the images, I wasn't sure if it was allowed or not.


Praying
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No problem about photos. They take up too much space on the server. Plus this is a group of OC patients/survivors and caregivers not medical professionals we wouldnt know by looking what it was anyway.

Glad I was able to help convince you to avoid all tobacco even "the safer" alternative to smoking, vaping. It hasnt been around long enough to know exactly what long term use will have on users. I remember when they first came out . There were alot of claims made about being completely safe since they contain no nicotine or harmful chemicals. Those claims even though plastered right on the package were proven to be incorrect. That shows they are only in it for the $$$, not to actually do anything helpful for their customers.

Glad to hear you got an appointment on the 18th. Thats actually not too bad, only about 2 weeks. Please do yourself another huge favor and try your very best to stay busy and avoid the "what if" thinking. It only makes you feel worse and more upset. Being on vacation, you should be enjoying time with your wife. Dont let what might be steal away the precious time you have to be happy. If you cant push yourself to have fun, think of your wife and do it for her. With your appointment being not until the 18th, you probably will be waiting for at least 3-4 weeks until you know for sure what the spot is. Unfortunately waiting is something all of us detest but we have had to learn how to deal with passing the time. I always suggest doing things to stay busy that are positive, read a good book on something your interested in, start a new hobby, anything thats positive to keep your attention will work and help you pass the time easier.

Im not sure why the oral surgeon would bother to do a test for HPV. It serves no purpose at all knowing if you have HPV or not. From my understanding, the only accurate HPV test was for women when they had pap smears. The male HPV test was not very stable and didnt always give correct results so its unusual for any doctor to be testing for HPV. Just because someone has HPV (there are around 200 different strains of it) does not mean they have one of the cancer causing strains. Plus even if the patient would have one of the strains that could develop into cancer, odds are it will not ever progress into cancer. HPV is the biggest STD out there where the majority of patients with it dont even know as it causes them no ill effects or problems. Patients can have it for years and never know it. Most will clear it from their bodies with no issues with it at all. If your interested in reading more about HPV, just click on any of the HPV letters that are blue to go to the main OCF site for more detailed HPV info.

Best wishes with your upcoming appointment.


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile

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