I have both smoked and used smokeless tobacco in great excess for at least 20yrs. I'm suddenly have dental problems and, of course am concerned these are early indications of oral cancer. Three years ago was diagnosed with leukoplakia(sp) from a dental hygentist (sp) and confirmed by dentit in one area of my mouth - ENT doctors I've seen shrug it off despite my honesty in sharing my addiction. Have had follow up visits sometimes they see the leukoplakia(s) sometimes they don't. On and off have had neck pain or sore throats, etc... I've been told and treated for lots of different things - allergies, stress/anxiety, TMJ, etc.... Recently mouth was feeling like sandpaper so went to dentist for routine cleaning, asked for an oral exam for signs of cancer - nothing alarming was noted; although have to say the exam wasn't very thorough. Crown work was suggested on a couple of teeth and all you-know-what seems to have broke loose since then. I've wound up with irritated gums (itching feeling around teeth), severe pain mostly on entire left side (but some in right upper jaw) which includes ear, jaw, gums, back of tongue. The left side of my face has felt tingly or numb at times - TMJ was diagnosed in that situation. Visible swelling was noted at one time. After complaining recently long and hard enough about pain the dentist sent me to an endondist for an xray and discovered an infection in an old root canal in bottom molar which is being treated right now with antibiotics. Just today noticed pain has spread to upper left back teeth, but dentist thinks its just pain radiating from bottom molar infection. I noticed today that most of my teeth on bottom and top of left side are literally loose. The left side is where the leukoplakia(sp) was first spotted behind upper back molar. Dentist and doctors I've seen were at first blaming TMJ problems due to grinding/stress so were treating me for that with muscle relaxants I also noticed a tiny lump on the right side of my neck today. Long story, longer - I'm concerned that the doctors and dentists I've seen might be possibly over looking the real possibility of early signs of cancer - I'm certainly a strong candidate for it considering my tobacco history, life style and family history with oral cancer. The pain I've experienced has truly been excruciating - like nothing I've ever experienced in my life. Of course I'm hopeful its an easily treatable dental problem, but at the same time I'm concerned they are overlooking something which might indicate cancer. I asked my dentist twice to do a brush biopsy just for my piece of mind and he refused to do it. Guess I am wondering if my symptoms and experiences sound familiar to those who were eventually diagnosed with oral cancer and wonder what he/she had to go thru first before doctors and/or dentists finally decided to take his/her symptoms a little more seriously and actually consider and take steps to rule out or diagnose cancer. What tests should I be requesting? I asked for an MRI but didn't get the okay to do that either. I just feel my concerns are not being taken seriously.