The dentist today noticed this in my husband's mouth: 9mm x 6 mm lesion with a tannish center and white and red border. He asked if it was painful -- it is, but my husband inexplicably said it WASN'T painful. He's had the lesion for a couple of weeks.

The dentist emphatically told my spouse to get an appointment with an oral surgeon right away for evaluation.

I know not to diagnose via the Internet, but I'd be very grateful for any comments people here about what the lesion means, and how serious it might be.

Thanks.

Martin

Hello, I know that is very stressful for you both.
However, I couldn't even begin to comment on what this lesion may be. None of here are Doctors. We are Oral Cancer Patients, Survivors and Caregivers.
Please stay away from Dr Google and all the misinformation there.
Either make an urgent appointment with an Oral Surgeon, or an Otolaryngologist. You don't want an ENT Dr who just does grommets for kids.
As your Husband has had this lesion for longer than 2 weeks , he needs to have it biopsied. Only a biopsy will tell you what this is.
Good on your Dentist for commenting on this lesion and recommending further evaluation.
I wish you the best and hope that this turns out to be benign and nothing to be concerned about.
Tammy.

Your sore could be any number of things besides oral cancer. But you still should get it checked by a professional, such as an ENT or oral surgeon. Make sure you select one who treats oral cancer patients so they are more familiar with what to look for. A biopsy is the only way to be certain what it is you have. Hopefully its nothing serious and you wont need our group. If it would be cancer, then you are in the right place for info and support.

Good luck!

Thanks, Tammy. Yes, the rational part of me is wary of Dr. Google; the anxious part just wants quick answers.

[quote=ChristineB]But you still should get it checked by a professional, such as an ENT or oral surgeon. Make sure you select one who treats oral cancer patients so they are more familiar with what to look for. [/quote]

Thanks, Christine. Making it more stressful is that the dentist told my husband, "You need to see an oral surgeon TOMORROW!" Can't get to the oral surgeon without a referral from the primary care physician. Couldn't get a next-day appointment with the PCP.

Call the PCP and ask for the referral over the phone. And ask to see an ENT (not oral surgeon) that deals with Oral cancer. I'm not saying that's what it is, BUT as christine said... you want someone who is very familiar with OC. and kudos to your dentist for doing his job!

The PCP gave him a referral -- not to en ENT, but to the same oral surgeon to whom the dentist made the referral. I suppose the doc has a reputation for expertise in the field. But he doesn't have any openings for three weeks. That did NOT please the referring dentist, who said he'd call the O.S. to make something happen sooner.

I'll tell you this much: With open enrollment underway at work, I'm thinking it's time to ditch the HMO and go with the wider network of the PPO.

Often a call from another doctor's office will make things happen sooner. When I first went to an oral surgeon for a consult, he had me come back a second time to actually do the biopsy. Push to have it done on the first visit if possible. If often is hard to get an appointment with an ENT that treats oral cancer until you have been diagnosed with oral cancer. Wishing you the best!

Thanks, Susan.

Appointment is for Monday. Fingers crossed...