Hello. I'm 33 years old with an appointment set for tomorrow to get a biopsy done on my upper right gums. Here's my story. Years ago, and I'm talking quite possibly 4 years ago I had a small white sore form on my upper gums on the right side. Honestly, I didn't think much of it, and that's mostly because it didn't hurt at all. Months passed and this sore didn't go away. Sometimes it would swell a bit, sometimes it would hurt but that was only after irritating it by eating or smoking more than a pack a day (I normally smoke about a pack a day). I've been a regular full time smoker since the age of 14. Even with this, I didn't think this might be the start or any type of warning signs of cancer. After months had passed and this sore was still persisting, I decided to go to my general dentist. What he told me, was that this sore was nothing to worry about and should clear up on it's own. Well here I am now, basically 4 years later, and that sore is still in it's same spot, still white. But now, I have another sore next to it which is red, and this one hurts more than the first one ever had. I quit smoking as of 2 days ago. Cold turkey. I'm too scared and not about to play with my life like that. What scared me, was looking up what these sores could be. I'm not sure of the duration of this second sore that has formed. I've had pain in that area for a while now. Sometimes it feels as though I have a toothache, which I think is impossible since I have mostly fake teeth, implants, crowns and bridges all along the top of my mouth. I am not sure I have one real tooth up there. After looking thoroughly in my mouth I think I've noticed another sore that is not painful, on the back left side of my tongue.
Here are some discomforts and symptoms I've had for the past few years. Most of them, now I can contribute it to possibly being the big C. But not all of them. Unless there are symptoms I haven't read about. I'm sure everyone is different and goes through sickness differently though. Like I said, I have an appointment to get a biopsy done tomorrow, but any help or information is much appreciated.

Symptoms (or are they):
Sores (that won't go away) in my mouth (gums and now tongue)
Bleeding when brushing. (This happens rarely and only on the side of the sores on my gums)
Vomiting in the middle of the night. (usually at least once a month)
I went through a bout of bad strep throat that just kept coming back, about 2 years ago. I had it about 7 times in that one year.
Headaches that feel like they are just sitting there waiting to get worse. I feel like the headache never actually leaves. Also, I went through a bad bout of migraines that would form and stay behind my right eye. I can sometimes still feel the pressure there when I have a headache. (All right side - which seems connected to me).
I sometimes have difficulty swallowing, but like the bleeding, this is rare but does happen more than the bleeding does. It doesn't matter what it is I'm eating or drinking even, it sometimes feels like whatever it is, is in the form of a lump trying to get down my throat. I can actually feel the drink, or food in lump form traveling it's way down. It hurts. It sometimes feels like whatever it is, isn't going to make it's way down.

I'm hoping this biopsy comes back negative... but I just have this feeling it's not going to be. The hardest part about all of this, is the possibility of having to tell my parents that their daughter has cancer.
I live alone with 2 cats. I'm also afraid that once I find out the results and treatment options, I'll no longer be able to live so independently.

Keep calm and wait for your biopsy results. It can be a million things but you will know more AFTER the biopsy.

I hope the strep was treated properly. That s a lot of times over and over to give me comfort. Did you have a rheumatologist that tested you with the ongoing strep issues?

I had gone to an ENT who actually told me that I was wrong and that it wasn't strep throat. That I couldn't possibly know my own diagnosis. I told him that when I was younger I used to get strep a lot, and that I'm pretty sure it's strep. (I had the nasty white stuff in the back of my throat and all). He did a throat culture and sure enough it came back as strep throat. He tried to give me antibiotics once again to treat it, but by that time, I gave up on antibiotics because I didn't feel they were helping, especially with it coming back so frequently. Once I gave up on the antibiotics, somehow I stopped getting the strep throat. I haven't had it since then which is about 2 years now. I do once in a while have a slight soreness in my throat but nothing close to strep. However, I'm sure that wasn't the correct way to take care of that problem.

You have done the right things in scheduling a biopsy AND stopping the use of tobacco. Regardless of what the bio results are you must never use tobacco products again. We all hate the waiting but it really doesn't help one bit to let it get to you. Please keep us informed and let's hope it's not cancer.

Thank you both so much for your replies. I will definitely be back with the diagnosis of the biopsy once it comes in. I'm really glad to have found this forum either way. And I will remain tobacco free from now on.

Thanks again, your words are much appreciated!

Welcome to OCF. Sorry you have a fright on but if it gets you to stop smoking that is something good. Do let us know about the biopsy results; it is a very good thing to do at this point.

Welcome to OCF!

Congrats on quitting smoking!!! I know quitting is not easy but it could be a life or death decision. PLEASE... NEVER use tobacco again! Its not worth the risk.

Hopefully your sore is nothing serious. You are doing the right thing to get it checked. Only thru a biopsy will you know for certain what it is. Oral cancer tumors do not always hurt, mine didnt hurt at all. But other patients experience alot of pain. Hopefully its nothing serious!

It usually takes about a week to get the results from a biopsy. Hopefully it will be nothing serious and you wont need our group. But, if it would be cancer then you are in the right place for info and support.

Good luck!!!

Thank you so much for your kind words. As of now, I have to reschedule this appointment with a different doctor because of conflicts with insurance. I've decided to call all ENT's who take my insurance and go with the first available appointment that I can find. Finding an oral surgeon or dentist has proven difficult since I don't have dental insurance. The oral surgeon I had an appointment scheduled with doesn't take my medical insurance.

Not all ENT's are experts in treating oral cancer patients or doing biopsies. Some ENTs specialize in putting tubes in children's ears. Look for an ENT who has taken the extra years of schooling and now specializes in patients with oral cancer, not just seeing one every now and then.

ChristineB, thank you so much for your advice. I decided not to go with an ENT because I can't find one that will not just be 'taking a look and referring me out to an oral surgeon'. With that, I decided not to care so much about the dental insurance that I don't have, and just go with the oral surgeon I feel most comfortable with. I called their office today and the girl I spoke to recommended the oral surgeons assistant who actually specializes in oral cancers and the like. I have an appointment with him in just a couple hours. On the road to knowing more soon.

Thanks again to everyone for their well wishes and kind words.