Hello everyone,

I'm new to this so I'm not really sure what to say! a few days ago I found a lump on the base of my tongue on the left side where my tongue rests against my teeth, the lump isn't sore or inflamed and is pretty much the same colour as the rest of my tongue. I have no idea how long its been there, I noticed it by pure accident.

I called and got an emergency appointment with my doctor who said that she thought it was an ulcer, I really don't think its an ulcer as they usually cause a bit of discomfort but I can't even feel my lump at all which I told her but she insisted it was nothing to worry about but I'm really worrying as I have smoked for around 12 years.

I have called my dentist and made an appointment in the next 2 weeks, is there anywhere else I can go? anyone else I should see just to be 100% sure?

Any advice would be much appreciated x

I am unsure of what is available to you in your country. Here in the US we would advise the patient to seek out an ENT (ear, nose and throat specialist) or an oral surgeon. Any sore that has been there for 2 weeks and has not healed needs to be checked by one of these professionals. A family doctor and some dentists are not familiar with oral cancer and wouldnt be able to recognize it. In fact the only certain way is thru a biopsy.

Also, the lump you found probably isnt really on the base of your tongue. The tongue goes way down into the body where it is not visible, only a small amount of a persons entire tongue is visible.

Best wishes!

Ask your GP for a referral to an ENT... I'm Canadian. we have a similar medical system.

A couple of points to note... a base of tongue lump you cannot see as your tongue is very long and it's base is inside your throat. If you can see it it's on your oral tongue and by the sounds of it is under near the back/side. Why I am making this point is that base of tongue cancer generally has a different cause (often - though not always - it's HPV related)

Oral tongue cancer can be caused by heavy smoking and / or drinking. Since you a smoker (take this as motivation to quit - even if it's not cancer - which it probably isn't) - Other people just get it - that's me - just look at my signature though I do have a theory.

Also tongue cancer can be painless. Though the deeper it is the more painful it gets - as you know if you've had ulcerations.

Mine started out as just a reddened area and it was painful and inflamed - but underneath was a lump. There was no broken skin just a lump.

You do not want to see a dentist if you know of a preexisting issue, they do dentist stuff, and can tell you if there is a problem (since they should do oral screenings ) but they cannot treat you or biopsy you so you are wasting time at this point. They can refer you to an Oral surgeon who can do a biopsy, but if it comes back as cancer you will need to see an ENT (a good one who deals with oral cancers) All of this referral process takes time. SO best to ask your GP for a referral to an ENT right off the bat, and then once you have a date if it is too long off push to be put on a waiting list.

In the mean time if it is an ulcer it should heal. ;o) If it progresses and becomes painful, ask your GP for a prescription of oracort. If I have a sensitive area that flares up - I step up my cleanings and rinse my mouth after I eat then apply some oracort to the affected and usually in a day or two I'm back to normal.

best of luck.

Thank you for the advice I am due to have my yearly check up at the dentist next month anyway so I will still keep the appointment but I will book another doctors appointment next week and ask to be referred to an ENT.

I would never have thought that at 26 years old I'd be worrying about this! I have ordered one of those electronic cigarettes and I'm not buying anymore real cigarettes!

Thanks for telling me that it's not the base of my tongue, I really have no idea how long it's been there for.

Hi Kayleigh. The same thing happened to Martin but with a small lump on the side of the neck. He went back to the doctor a second time and asked for a biopsy. So he was referred, it was quick, a couple of weekes I think. The doctor said :well I am sure it's nothing, but just for your piece of mind..." . So tell them you are concerned and why and ask for a biopsy. Good luck, and don't let them fob you off that's not urgent!

Hi cecilia, thanks for your reply

I'm definitely going to book an appointment at the doctors tomorrow and ask to be sent for a biopsy as its really playing on my mind now! People keep saying that I'm too young but age has nothing to do with it, I feel like the Doctor I saw wasn't really interested in the lump and she literally looked at it for about 5 seconds.

I will let you know how I get on