[quote=fishmanpa]Chances are......

I may be a little off on these statistics so please correct me if I am...

Approximately 90% of adult US population has been exposed to the HPV virus and their system clears it without the virus ever creating a problem or any ill effects. Only 1% of those with HPV ever have the HPV continue to turn into something more serious such as anal cancer, genital warts, cervical cancer and oral cancer. Of the HPV+ oral cancers about 95% of those are located at the base of tongue or tonsil areas.

The "light" your dentist discussed with you will show abnormal areas in a patients mouth. The test will not identify exactly what is abnormal about that area. Only thru a biopsy will you get a definitive cancer yes or no answer. Being that your biopsy report was clean, that leaves means you're clean whether you have the virus or not.

"T" [/quote]

The vast majority of the above post is not what I originally posted. The "T" and the end and the initial sentence asking to "correct me if I am..." are mine, the rest is not. Not that the information is incorrect, but I didn't write it! Now, the option to edit my own post are gone.

When I asked to "correct me" in the OP, I didn't ask to have my words altered and my message changed. I've read the T&C and see nothing that states a post would be altered. There was nothing in my post that was in violation of the T&C. Do the admins of this site alter the posts of it's members?

"Tom"

I'm editing your post so you can see what happens if anyone does ( which we do not unless what you say is harmful to someone and then we just delete the post as a rule.) So I've changed your name to Tom and added this copy you are reading. Notice that it makes the post as edited and I don't put that part in, the system software does. If I go back to edit the post again, I do not see that system comment where I can delete it. But it changes the time of my editing.

Poor leo, you are really frightened. I know the feeling but have celebrated the fact that the ulcer i had has tested negative for cancer, lucky me. Neck ultrasound tomorrow, hopefully be ok. And then lump in gum to be looked at and whatever the decide to do, x ray etc.....and want my strange little and large tonsils looked at, please no more biopsy, i didnt handle the first one too well. At least i have quit smoking now and its amazing how easy it is after all of this, funny how perspective changes.

Good luck. All the specialists you have seen are reassuring you. I am having counselling for health anxiety and generak anxiety, it helps. X

hi

Got a small lump at the bottom of outer gum by third fourth molar, i only noticed it recently because of concern about mouth, could have been there for years.

Des anyone have any ideas about what it might be? It feels bony but can move the whole area about.

tamsin x

If it was cancer and you've had it for a while, you would be in serious trouble/pain and not just concerned about a small bump. So I wouldn't worry about it too much. There are lots of things that form little hard, benign spots in your mouth. It's probably something that your regular dentist can look at and put your mind to rest about.

Thanks a lot brian. I will see the surgeon for follow up from ulcer biopsy, which thankfully was negative, and get him to have a little feel. Hoping to put all this behind me. On the upside i have thrown the tobacco away and not going to smoke again.

Brian

I dont know its been there for years, it may not hav been, but no its not painful, the gum tissue looks healthy normal, i just noticed it because i had a biopsy on ulcer and started feeling around with my finger, its not even visible.