Jim, Welcome to the site. Sorry you were compelled to find us by a possible issue, but welcome. We will try to help as much as we can. As Lisa mentioned, this may not be cancer, but may only be a wake up call to get you to look at your life style and make some changes. My ENT told me it might be a wake up call, but he thought it was cancer, and he was right. But I had a swelling in my neck, not an issue in my mouth, so you may be OK. I would suggest you not worry too much, as that won't help anything, and if it is nothing, then that's a good thing. If it is something, we'll be here to help you through it. We have all walked the same or similar path and advise new folks what to expect if treatment is needed. So hang in there and again as Lisa said "It ain't cancer till the pathologist says it is". My prayers are with you.