Hello,
I am 46 years old. I had a persistent blood blister on my gum line above the last upper tooth for three to four years. I kept popping it, it kept coming back. It is no longer a blister, but a small round mass in the same location. The lymph node just below on the same side is enlarged (has been for about 6 months). I have been to the dentist several times during this, but I go to the dentist when I have pain. The visits are usually concentrated on getting my teeth cleaned while I'm being treated for mouth pain in a specific tooth. When I am in the chair I never think about saying "what about this". I went to to my GP on Friday of last week. I had been in the prior month for sinus issues and had been given a shot of cortisone for the enlarged node and antibiotics. FINALLY, this time I showed him the gum line issue and explained my family history (my grandmother had oral cancer in her 40s). He ordered blood work, gave me another shot of cortisone, a shot of rocephin, and 5 days of Levaquin 750, and a referral to an ENT. That was a week ago. The node is still enlarged and has never been painful or tender to the touch. I have an appointment with ENT on Wednesday. Bloodwork shows elevated hematocrits, white blood count, and neutrophils. I've been reading everything I can find and my story sounds like a classic presentation including the delay in seeking treatment. After reading the steps of a diagnostic exam of the oral cavity, I have found a few more areas of concern, like bumps at the base of my tongue and some areas that look white. Then, my tongue turned completely white (I think that is in response the the antibiotics) with several little round red spots visible at the back.

Hopefully the ENT will give you some good news. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Welcome~

I'm glad you are going to an ENT to finally address the areas of concern in your mouth. Write all your questions down IN ADVANCE and take them with you so you won't forget. Write his answers next to each question and make him/her go slowly to give you a chance to write.

Keep in mind that no one, including this ENT will be able to tell you it's cancer unless a biopsy is performed and analyzed by a pathologist.

Also keep in mind that there is no hereditary connection with oral cancer at least not to my knowledge.

Are you a tobacco user? If so STOP.

Let us know what you are told and lets hope it's just an infection or irritation.