Hi Everyone, I wasn't sure where to post a question and introduction so I chose this area.

I live in Ann Arbor, MI and am 54 y/o past smoker of 30 years. This past year was tremendously difficult due to fighting my way through the medical jungle. After a year of spinal taps and many sub-specialties I was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

About 6 weeks ago I noticed I had a canker sore. It was more painful than I remember. I looked at it several times and thought it strange that it kept getting bigger. Two weeks ago I had an acute Parotid Gland Inflammation and was placed on antibiotics for 10 days and referred to an ENT.

I was concerned when two more lesions/sores appeared. None of these looked anything like a canker sore. They are gray looking with shades of pink and white. The tongue feels thickened where the sores are. I just thought I would have the ENT guy look at them when I saw him.

My appt. was yesterday. I friendly doc introduced himself and asked why I was there. I explained the Parotid thing. He said "these things generally resolve on their own". I said mine was mostly resolved but not entireley. He suggested that I massage my cheek and express the pus through the cheek gland (I have no idea where this gland is). I am thinking--why in the world am I here???

I mentioned the things on my tongue.

He took two wooden spatulas and examined my tongue with them. I never touched my tongue or anywhere inside my mouth. He never touched the outside of my mouth. Actually he touched nothing.

He said "they are aphthous ulcers, they might be just starting or they might be healing up now". I asked him, "how do you tell if they are these ulcers or if they are cancer". He said "the borders on yours are fairly consistent.

I was not given a follow up. It have to wonder why I was referred by the urgent care doctor.

I hope to god that he is right, and these are these ulcers. my concern is that my mouth is burning. Sometimes it feels hot. I eat and don't taste---then the burning starts.

The absense of taste happens with MS but not to this degree and not with the sensory sensations of burning.

I don't know what to make of all this. I feel bad that my insurance had to pay this guy when he did nothing.

Is this going to be another battle? This time minus the neurologists and bring in the ENT's?

Do any of you have similar stories or outcomes?

thanks!!

Red

Since the 'canker sore' has been there over 2 weeks then it would be best to see another ENT to get it checked. This goes for any sore inside your mouth. A recent post by OCFs founder Brian, he mentioned that in any month most people have irregularities in their mouths that are not cancerous. It is quite common.

I do not want to scare you but my cancer started out looking like a canker sore on the inside of my cheek. Im not the type of person who panics or thinks negatively. Only thru a biopsy would you know for sure if it is cancer. Do not panic over this but do go to another ENT who will give you a more thorough exam.

Best wishes with everything.

Hi Christine

Thanks for responding to my post.

I am going to get my appt. with my PCP moved up this week to get a referral sooner. It's definately a change in my mouth but hopefully not cancer.

The 'canker sores' diagnosis was not thought out or really investigaged. Hopefully it won't be anything.

I will let you know when I find out.

Thanks, Red

Good Luck Red and let us know what happens.

As with Christine, mine started on my tongue and never went away. I wasn't on top of it like you seem to be.

Red,

The only way to tell if you have oral cancer is through a biopsy...if you are that worried about it, just request a biopsy...it will answer all of your questions. Just remember that it's not cancer unless a biopsy says it is so get an appointment w/biopsy and get your question answered.

Eric

Thanks to all for the info and support.

The apthous ulcer now of 2 months has gone down a bit to the size of a pencil eraser. I had an appt. with my new PCP last week but we talked about MS for most of the appt. WHen seated about 4 feet from each other I pulled my tongue out and over so she could see. She didn't get out of her chair but said if it isn't going down in 4 weeks we can do the ENT.

Since it is going down I am assuming it can't be cancer. My parotid gland issue has never fully resolved and it swells every night.

I'm not sure what to think. My 30 years of smoking made this a terrifying possibility.

Should I just relax about this?

Well, I wouldn't freak out but I wouldn't relax about it either. It could be a number of ailments. Why not just get a referral to the ENT now and get it checked out instead of agonizing about it for another month?

Tell your Dr. that you used to smoke and that you are in a higher risk category.
A biopsy is the only way to know for sure.

ok