| | Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 3 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 3 | Hello everyone. I'm 27. I don't smoke and rarely drink. Occasionally I get canker sores but they typically last a few days to a week max. About 2 months ago I got something that I thought was a canker sore but it has not gone away. I have a picture of it and it was rather difficult to get a decent enough shot. I am calling my dentist in the morning to get in there asap but I thought I would check here if anyone has an idea to what this might be. [img] http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/Resolance/IMG_0047_zps7eebb6fa.jpg[/img]
Last edited by Zalithian; 01-19-2014 10:15 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | You are doing the right thing! Keep us posted.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 3 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 3 | Thanks. I have an appointment tomorrow morning. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | The rule goes like this... Any sore you have in your mouth that has been there for 2 weeks or longer should be checked by a professional. By professional, I mean either an oral surgeon or an ENT who specialize in oral cancer. Many dentists focus only on teeth and not on mouth tissue problems.
Im very sorry but even with a photo its highly unlikely anyone here would be able to help diagnose you. Our group is made up of oral cancer survivors and caregivers, not medical professionals. Find yourself an ENT who's specialty is oral cancer patients and they should be able to help you. A biopsy will probably need to be done to determine exactly what is going on.
Hope its nothing serious! Best wishes.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 3 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 3 | Thanks for the replies. I was just hoping someone here may have had a similar experience and could provide some insight. I made another post on a website with dentists and 3 seem to think it's leukoplakia from the picture I posted. Obviously that is no substitute for an in person examination. I have an appointment with my dentist tomorrow morning. I also scheduled an appt with an oral surgeon later this week but I feel I may cancel that as he wants $150 to take a look (exam fee + panoramic x rays). I'd imagine a biopsy or anything else would cost at least $100 extra. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | Zalithian,
Where there are many of us who have a lot of experience with these things, and even get to plug into some of the brightest minds in dentistry, oral medicine, and otolaryngology, and even Dr's who review these posts, no one can diagnose over the "internet".
The truth is a biopsy, that involves a pathologist examining the cells under a microscope, is the only way to determine if it's cancer or dysplasia. There's a saying used in the industry "a lot can go south in the mouth", dysplastic tissue in the mouth can be quite a number of things (cancer, precancerous, leukoplakia, lichen planus, a lichenoid reaction, etc) .
The general rule is that anything that hasn't resolved itself within two weeks should be checked by an oral medicine specialist or ENT that deals with oral cancer. Preferably one that uses a fluorescent screening tool as it gives the practitioner a different view of the affected area, which can lead to a wider area to biopsy and monitor.
Costs should be the least of your concerns, as if it is cancer, that money will seem like a bargain if caught early.
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
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