| | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 18 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 18 | Hi All my name is Shannon and I have had a lump on my lower gum for many months, I hadn't really had a concern about it until recently when another smaller lump came up next to it and I started thinking could this be cancer. All the pic's I have found online look horrible (scary) and I haven't found anything that compares to what I have.
I want to go have it checked out but I have no dental or medical insurance and I cannot afford to pay even a $40 doctor visit... my husband is self employed and things have been very very slow and we have used up all of our savings just trying to survive.
My question is has anyone had anything like this, the lump isn't very big and it is basically the same color as my gum. I have not said anything to my family because I do not want to freek them out if it is nothing.
Thanks for any advice,
Shannon | | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Welcome to OCF.
It could be something very simple that is irritating your gum. Or it could be serious. Only way to tell is to go get it checked out. Its not possible to diagnose online. Without insurance, I dont know what to tell you to do. A sore in your mouth that has been there longer than 2 weeks needs to be checked. If necessary, a biopsy would be done by an oral surgeon or sometimes dentists and ENTs do them too. The only way to confirm oral cancer is a biopsy.
Please try to get this looked at as soon as possible. If and Im saying IF it turns out to be something serious, early detection is the key to surviving.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 18 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 18 | Thanks ChristineB
I will try to get it checked asap. I know early detection is key, my sis-in-law had thyroid cancer that was found early and after treatment she was cancer free, at her 1 year check up they found another lump and it was hodgkin's lymphoma, she did that treatment too and she has been cancer free for a couple years now. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | The fact that the color of the lump is the same as your gums is a good sign. It could be a gum or tooth infection.
However, as Christine said, this cannot be diagnosed over the internet. As you can see, I am a dentist and even I would not be able to tell you.
You must find a way to get in to see a dentist. I would hope that if you explain your concerns and lack of money to a receptionist, she would talk to the dentist and he/she would agree to see you. Nobody should be turned away because they can't afford a visit. I would try every office in the phone book if I were you.
Most of the time a quick check and an x-ray can help to tell what is going on. Of course, if it does look suspicious, a biopsy would have to be done.
Please let us know how you make out.
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Amen to both . These 2 are very good with the right answers.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 18 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 18 | Thanks guys... I am going to talk to the local dentist which is my 2 youngest boys dentist and I am hoping he will understand and take a look and not charge me or at least bill me so I can make payments when I can.
Right now the side of my mouth that has the lumps kinda feels weird (kinda numb but not really numb) but I am fighting a head cold right now so I am hoping the weird feeling is just from the pressure from the cold.
I am really glad I found this forum so I can talk about what is going on without making my family worry.
Thanks again I so appreciate all your advice and I will let you know what the dentist says.
Shannon | | | | | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 357 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 357 | Hi, Shannon -
A bump on the gum is exactly how my cancer presented itself. The presentation (bump) and location (gum) was neither normal nor common for OC. This made made the route to diagnosis difficult. I don't know why I developed a bump - the cancer actually lurked between the roots of one tooth and hadn't invaded my jaw.
Still, I was lucky: the cancer was small and we caught it early.
Your bumps could result from many things, not necessarily cancer. But you won't know unless a doctor checks it out.
Listen to Jerry. See a dentist. Then you can rest easy.
Good luck.
Marlene
Marginal mandibulectomy 6/17/08 resulted in DX of Stage I SCC - gingiva (3 mm) right mandible, buccal side. Clear margins. Occasional social drinker. Smoked last cigarette in 1979. Clear pet: 12/08; 7/20/09. Yay!
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 | Shannon, I agree with others. We all know the fear of not knowing and the only way to relax is to have a professional look at it. Hopefully the dentist will take a look and maybe not charge you.Please get it looked at it and let us know how you make out. Hopefully it's nothing and you won't have to become member of our group:)
Suzanne
***********
T1 SCC on right side of tongue
Age 31...27 when diagnosed
4 partial glossectomies
No chemo or radiation
Biopsy on 2/2/10-Clear
Surgery needed again...no later than April 2011
Loving life and just became a mother on 11/25/10
It's not what we CAN'T do..it's what we CAN do:)
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 396 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 396 | you need to get it checked. at least for peace of mind. you are concerned enough about this to come to this site, and i see you have already researched it.
if it IS cancer, there are programs out there that can assist you.
GET IT CHECKED OUT ASAP.
Teresa
-----------
CG to ANDY. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC)
T2N2cMxG4 stage 4. 43 @ dx 8/31/09
tx 9/21/09-11/06/09 cispatin/docetaxel/5-FU X3
PORT 9/9/09, PEG 12/07/09
35 IMRT-1/wk carbo 11/30/09-2/3/10
tx stopped due to complications
IMRT BOOST 3/08-3/12/10
PET 4/12/10 CLEAR!
PEG out 4/14/10
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 18 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 18 | I found a clinic that is about an hour away that charges based on income... I have an appointment tomorrow (Tues. 4/6) I am nervous, but I have a friend that is going with me. I still have not told my family cause I don't want to worry them if it is nothing. Thanks everyone for your support and I will let you all know what the doc says. Have a Blessed Day Shannon | | |
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