Hi! my name is Cathy and I am a 52 year old nursing student. I have smoked for most of my life. I have a red lump that has been in the front part of my mouth for over a month now. To begin with there was no pain. Now I am beginning to have some pain but it radiates to the jaw on the same side. I notice tingling and numbness in my lip. Are these symptoms any of you have suffere of oral cancer? I of all people know I should go get it checked but I keep putting it off. I just got over a severe case of laryngitis a few weeks ago. I had coughed so hard from a sinus infection that I strained my vocal cords. Right after that I had an eye infection on the same side as the lump in my mouth. Coincidence???

Hi Cathy
I can't answer your question but I will tell you to have it checked as soon as possible.
My cancer was first thought to be an abcess until it didn't clear up and my dentist sent for a second opinion.
Please get it checked.
Cathy

I would get this checked by a throat specialist as soon as possible. They can do a biopsy and find out what it is. I would not wait. Good luck.

The lump, the pain, the tingling, all COULD be signs of something bad. They fall into the group of signs and symptoms associated with oral cancers, but of course could be related to something else. You obviously know that the key to surviving any really bad aliment is to have it diagnosed and begin treatment at the earliest possible time. You should not delay any longer, as each day only allows a potentially lethal disease to prosper if it is cancer. Monday make the call and get yourself into someone. Start with an ENT or and Oral Surgeon. You have a good dental school at the university in NC and they will have an oral pathologist on staff, that is another possibility. That doctor willhave the most experience in diagnosis. Just do something right now. You will not find the answer that you are looking for on the Internet, it has to be a first person examination.

On a side note, I find nothing more disturbing than a medical professional who engages in a habit which they, from first hand contact, know harms and kills people. Perhaps this will be the scare that gets you to give up tobacco. No good will come of it in your life. If you are severely nicotine addicted and have a problem quitting, get one of your doctors to prescription Rx level nicotine inhalers till you can wean yourself off of it. You now have an opportunity to take proactive and positive direction. Quit the tobacco, get the consultation and diagnosis. IF you find that it is something bad, we will all be here in support of your efforts to get well....