I'm calling my ENT first thing tomorrow morning beacuse this has been one of the most horrible weekends of my life. I noticed a quarter-inch white/grey patch back of my mouth (oropharynx?)and, as a smoker, I think I've done myself in and will leave my wife and children without me.

I've been all over the internet, looking at pictures, got out my old Merck Manuel, looked at the spot in the bathroom mirror dozens and dozens of times. It is there.

Maybe it is nothing, but it is there. So is a great fear.

I've read just a couple posts on this forum so far, and I'm going to read more.

Just thought I should introduce myself and if anyone can tell me how to be reasonable and handle this fear -- whether this huge fear is justified or not on my part -- I would really be grateful.

John