Hello…I am so scared I can’t eat or sleep. It started a couple of years ago with an infected impacted wisdom tooth…pericoronitis. My holistic dentist confirmed and cut the infected flap of and cauterized it leaving a rough edge of gum around the tooth crown. He said it would grow back and I would have to see an oral surgeon for a coronectomy where they remove the crown of the tooth because it’s too dangerous to remove the whole tooth. I put it off and put it off and the flap did grow back. It looked infected again. I saw the dentist again for a cleaning and he just talked about the coronectomy again. I still put it off because I couldn’t / wouldn’t find the time. I went to my other dentist, had another cleaning, talked about the pericoronitis, looked infected, did antibiotics in prep for a surgery consult. The antibiotics didn’t do much of all of anything. 2 years from the original visit I did another round of antibiotics and saw the oral surgeon. He looked in my mouth and said it didn’t look typical. He said I had a mass growing outward from my gum…in addition to the “pericoronitis” and it needed to be biopsied. I thought all along this was just spread of the pericoronitis and the cauterized edge of tissue…but he said it was hard and not soft. He took the biopsy yesterday. He said it was solid…not like it was infection. Also should mention that there is a piece of jaw bone close to the impacted tooth that is gone. He said it could be from infection below. I have a thin neck and he did not find any enlarged lymph nodes. I just turned 60 but am young for my age. I am besides myself with worry and anxiety. I can’t find any stories on here that are similar.

Hi Bella B,

Welcome to the OCF forum. I am so sorry for the pain and anxiety you are going through. A biopsy can really play with your mind. But, you are best to get it done so you know. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 tongue cancer in early 2020. Waiting on the biopsy was stressful. I only leaned on family for support because I had not yet learned of this forum.

I am hoping someone who has had a similar experience as you can jump in here. But, what I can tell you, is that I have been active with OCF for over four years and that you are not alone. And, if you do receive a positive result, that treatments are far advanced from years back. I was stage four and they took half my tongue and rebuilt it with flesh from my arm. I can eat, drink, speak, surf, run, ski, etc again. I have the same full life back, plus a cute yet sometimes annoying lisp, and then some. By going through my cancer experience, I was able to deepen my faith and change my life to one of more gratitude and learning to be more present in each day.

Hang in there and please keep us up to date as you continue on this journey.

Stay safe and keep the faith,
Nels

Thanks so much for the kind words.

I just keep thinking that if it is cancer, and it was misdiagnosed 2 years ago, it should be well advanced..

Hi, for what it's worth, my husband also had a missed diagnosis although the time frame was a tad shorter - 18 months. He was diagnosed three weeks go and went through CT scans and a PET scan and no spread of the cancer. Point being, don't despair - every case is different and it may still be local. Either way, please get the biopsy and necessary treatment asap because knowing is better than not knowing. Getting treatment started soon is the most important thing!