Hi, first of all I would like to say that I am not diagnosed with oral cancer but I am very worried because of my symptoms. I am 20 years old, I smoke about 15 strong cigarettes a day and I drink rarely. First of all I have a small Leukoplakia (I think this is the case, it may be something else), secondly I have a very small lump on the inside of my lower lip. Both of them are not painfull , so I can't tell when they occured, I only found them several days ago. I already have an appointment with my dentist. Even if it is cancer I am optimistic that everything will be fine, because it is in early stage, no pain, no open wounds, etc. I would be gratefull if you share some of your thoughts and oppinions. If someone knows another medical condition associated with those symptoms please share it, it would be atleast some relief until my appointment with the denstist comes.
I forgot to mention that when I get up in the morning I have bad breath, regardless of the fact that I care for my teeth big time and that I have no tooth ache!
Thanks in advance!

Welcome to OCF. Hope you do not need to be here! I am unsure of how things work in other countries regarding dentists, ENT (ear,nose and throat specialists) and oral surgeons. here in the US when a person suspects something serious they would see either an ENT or oral surgeon who would do a biopsy. Many professionals can suspect what it may be but only with a biopsy can they be certain.

Here is an image gallery from the main OCF pages. Click on each photo then click on the word 'diagnosis'. You will be able to see why its so difficult to visually diagnose only by sight.

You may encounter dentists who are not familiar with oral cancer. You may also find them dismissive due to your age. Im sorry to say, you are not too young for this. There are many younger people who have been diagnosed with oral cancer or some pre cancers weather a smoker or non smoker due to HPV. In the US both male and females under age 26 can get a series fo 3 shots to protect them from HPV (which is known to cause oral cancer). Any sore that has been in your mouth for 2 weeks or longer should be checked by a professional.

As far as the smoking goes, quit. There are hundreds of chemicals in tobacco and any one or combo of them could be irritating your throat. You do NOT want to end up looking like I do because of a silly habit. Im a former smoker myself and am now disfigured for the rest of my life all from making the bad choice and smoking. Im very lucky to be alive as Ive seen so many others not make it. PLEASE!!! QUIT!!!!! Let this be your wake up sign, you may not get another chance.

Best wishes!!!

OCF photo gallery

Thanks for the response, fortunately the situation in my mouth if far, far better than those in the gallery, so if it is something it's just starting. I had a conversation with my personal doctor, and she said that this may happen because of lack of some types of vitamins. For that manner I bought some vitamins and see of there is any improovement. My appointment with the dentist is on Monday. She is familliar with oral cancer and said to me that age does not really matter. I am also going to check myself for HPV. Thanks for the quick response!

Bryan,

Don't belittle this and make sure you get a Dx from a qualified oral professional. Most, if not all, front line dentists in the US would refer your presentation on to an ENT. It may be nothing but it also could be cancer. At present there is no reliable oral HPV test and with the location of what you describe it's unlikey related to HPV so I wouldn't bother. I would look into the HPV vaccination. Also we all agree with Christine's advice re STOPPING THE TOBACCO USE. Good luck and keep us posted.

Bryan - you mentioned your small lump not being painful. I would not minimize this, as Oral Cancer is not always painful when it occurs. My son kept putting off seeing an ENT and only did so when the lump under his tongue became very painful and the doctor told him the pain was due to the OC being wrapped around a nerve. I sure hope for you that it turns out to be nothing, but in any case you would be doing yourself a tremendous favor and prolonging your life by giving up the tobacco in any form.

Agreeing with all of the above.. Go see a qualified ENT who has experience with oral cancer. Smoking can definitely cause oral cancer so quitting is primary but young people who have leukoplakia - etc. can develop a very aggressive cancer with no precursors for the disease. Not to say that all leukoplakia will become cancerous.. But there is the potential it will, so quit the cigarettes be seen by an ENT and most importantly keep an eye on your mouth. Take care and good luck.

Hi Bryan, my oral cancer started out as Leukoplakia - no one told me it was pre-cancerous until it was too late unfortunately. I don't think it started out as OC though; at first it was just a white patch, but then over a period of a few months a red bump developed underneath it. Do you notice if there is any bump under the spot? I think that is the point where it turned into cancer, from what I can tell. I have a very high tolerance for pain, so I blew it off until it was too painful to eat. I got a dentist family friend to look at it, who then sent me to an oral surgeon. He didn't want to be the one to give me the bad news, but later on he said he knew immediately that it was cancer, so your dentist might be able to at least give you an opinion while you wait to see an oral surgeon/ENT. Where is your leukoplakia? Mine was on the left side of my tongue. Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

No, I don't feel any bumps. The way I found out about it was by moving my tongue around my mouth and I felt somethning rougher than the soft tissue in the mounth. When I took a closer look I saw it is white. It is barely noticable if you don't know what you are looking for, but by the description found on the internet I think it is Leukoplakia, it may be something else, I am not sure. The lump I've got ot the inside of my lower lip worries me more actually, but I'll see. I have appointment with my dentist and my personal doctor on Monday so, untill than I can only guess what and if somethning is wrong.

Bryan - This is how to know if you've had a good oral cancer exam:
GoodOralExam

I am glad to say that since I started taking vitamins and washing my mouth with some herbal water my Leukoplakia patch is starting to decrease in size and is also getting smoother like the rest of the tissue in my mouth. Regardless of that I am going to my dentist and then to a specialist to get fully checked out in order to make sure that me and my dentist didn't miss something.
I am also giving my best to quit smoking. Yesterday I smoked just 1 cigarette, today not even one so far.
I'll keep you posted