Zalithian,

Where there are many of us who have a lot of experience with these things, and even get to plug into some of the brightest minds in dentistry, oral medicine, and otolaryngology, and even Dr's who review these posts, no one can diagnose over the "internet".

The truth is a biopsy, that involves a pathologist examining the cells under a microscope, is the only way to determine if it's cancer or dysplasia. There's a saying used in the industry "a lot can go south in the mouth", dysplastic tissue in the mouth can be quite a number of things (cancer, precancerous, leukoplakia, lichen planus, a lichenoid reaction, etc) .

The general rule is that anything that hasn't resolved itself within two weeks should be checked by an oral medicine specialist or ENT that deals with oral cancer. Preferably one that uses a fluorescent screening tool as it gives the practitioner a different view of the affected area, which can lead to a wider area to biopsy and monitor.

Costs should be the least of your concerns, as if it is cancer, that money will seem like a bargain if caught early.