Hi all,

First off thank you for reading this. I am pretty worried, i have a growth on my hard pallet, its grown over the whole left side. its flattish, painless, and hard. I have had it for quiet some time since late august early september.

I've finally worked up the nerve to be seen by my gp on tuesday. till then i just keeping reading cancer stories. Causing myself panic attacks. At this point i am not even 100% sure yet that it is. so i am a bit embaressed to be posting this. Does this fit the description of oral cancer? i'm only 30 and a non drinker/smoker. I do have A few dental implants could that have caused this?

Hi Nicole, I'm very new here myself so I can't give you answers. I can tell you though that I have found this to be a welcoming place with very knowledgable people. so,I don't think you should feel it is wrong to post here. This is a good place to get some reassurance and information.
I'm glad that you are going to get it taken care of. Hopefully, it will be nothing but it is better to address it than let it go,

Nichole,

The first thing folks on this site will tell you is that it's not cancer until you have a biopsy that say's it's cancer. The biopsy is a simple matter and only takes a few minutes. It could be something else entirely.

FYI my GP and an Oral Surgeon both told my they did not think I had cancer. It was an ENT (Ear Nose and Throat) doctor that did the biopsy and determined it was indeed cancer.

The reason I say this is that you need to have a firm answer about exactly what it is from someone. Your GP may not be able to give you a firm answer. If he can't, make sure you make an appointment with an ENT.

We have a few dentists on this site, so one may be able to chirp in with a suggestion.

Kelly

Thank you both so much for posting.it really helps to know someone out there is listening. my mom thinks its all in my head. and most of my friends have issues of thier own i don't really want to burden.

I will definatly be insisting on a biopsy of the area asap. though honestly i am a bit scared since i let this go for way to long. but for now i will just enjoy the next few days..once i dig myself out from under all the snow

nicole,
kelly is right...the biopsy will tell the tale. and i know its hard not to get freaked out and scared about what it could be. but just try to remain calm. u will have a few days to wait after the biopsy which will be even more excruciating. it will seem to take forever, and if it is positive, things then move so quickly..u wont be able to keep up.

so take a deep breath, try to relax...and let us know what happens. hang in there. we are all here for u.

Although it's unlikely an implant would cause a swelling on your palate of the size that you describe, but if it did, the swelling would more than likely be right next to the implant. The implant would NOT cause cancer.

Your GP is not the best doctor to get a diagnosis from since they don't do biopsies. Biopsies are best done by an oral surgeon, ENT or cancer surgeon. Since this area has been there more than 2 weeks, it should be biopsied as this is the only way to know what it is.

Good luck and please let us know what you find out. Any more questions, you can post them here, email me or send a private message.

I like the ENT as advice. That's who found mine after others just dismissed it as nothing for months. Whoever heard of OC then? It sure wasn't this guy.

Thanks for all your support and advice guys. I am definatly going to seek the council of an ent. I managed to find the best one in my area and called to make an appointment but he requires that i get a refferal first. so the appointment with my Doc is still on for tommarrow. A bit scared still but i confided in my closest friend and she will be there for support. anyways I should be going, Heading to the movies tonight to forget about this thing for a bit.

TTFN
Nichole

Have fun at the movies Nichole. Let us know how your appt goes, we are here for you.

Please keep us posted. Definately see the ENT. As you can tell from my signature line, I was diaganosed with cancer on the hard pallet. I first went to my PCP, who gave me antibiotics. About a month later, when it was still there, I insisted on seeing a ENT. He immediately did a biopsy and a week later I had a diagnosis. Will be glad to answer questions if you have to go down this path.