I went to the dentist for a cleaning and she found a small white patch of what she called scar tissue on the inside of my cheek towards the front kinda where my teeth hit. I don't knowingly chew or bite at my cheek so I'm not sure where it came from. Unless I do it in my sleep, but idk. Anyways she is having me see a specialist. I never really thought much about it, but after reading that a white patch could be a symptom of oral cancer it has started to freak me out. The only other issues I've had with my mouth is that during my last job which was very high stress (preschool teacher of 23 three year olds) I would get kinda like small ulcers every once in a while that would quickly heal. This was only during the time of high stress. After I started my new job in March, I noticed that the sides of my tongue hurt like there were ulcers or canker sores on them, but I when I would check I would never really see anything. The soreness went away after about 2 weeks and in the past 4 months I haven't had any issues. I do like to drink a lot of OJ and Pepsi which I'm sure doesn't help sores and I would take something salty over sweet any day. Anyways, Has anyone had any experience with these symptoms that lead to cancer? If it were cancer would the soreness have come back by now? Sorry, I'm just one of those people who google symptoms and freak out, but I just think the white scar tissue is weird. I have no idea how long I've had it because it doesn't hurt. Thank you.

BTW, I know cancer could happen to anyone, but if it helps I'm 26, never smoke, and rarely drink.

Kris, welcome to OCF. Hope you do NOT need our services! Being young if it would be something serious that would hopefully help you to recover quicker from any treatment. Unfortunately being young, it does not eliminate you from having oral cancer, even without smoking. Do yourself a favor and stop googgling your symptoms! You can find horror stories which are not always factual on the internet. You have found this forum which is filled with correct up to date medical info.

I would suggest you remain calm. This process will take a couple weeks. Getting upset will only make things worse, especially after hearing about stress bringing on the other mouth issues. First find an ENT who is familiar with oral cancer patients. They will need to do a biopsy or possibly send you over to an oral surgeon for one. The biopsy will take about a week to get the results. This is the only way to know for sure what the sore is. The rule goes like this... Any sore that has been in your mouth for 2 weeks or longer and has not healed by itself should be checked by a professional. A small white sore that is painless could be any number of things including oral cancer so go get checked and then take care of whatever it is. Stay busy so you keep your mind off worrying.

I hope it turns out to be nothing serious!!!

Kris,

Like Christine has said, stop Googling symptoms and freaking out, believe it or not stress and anxiety lowers your immune system due to hormone response. The white patch on the side of your cheek is called dysplasia and it's very common and can be caused by a number of things, even prescription medications called a lichenoid reaction, or lichen planus caused by an allergic reaction to amalgams fillings.

The point is that you have an area in your mouth that is concerning you, if it doesn't resolve itself within 2 weeks get to an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Dr and have him biopsy the area to send to pathology. We have a saying on these boards that we live by, mostly to keep from freaking out, that "It's NOT cancer until a biopsy says so".

Now if you would like an education on dysplasia, causes, statistics, cancer rates etc I recommend reading some of Dr. Edmond Truelove's research (Head of Oral Medicine at the University of Washington). I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Truelove, and one of his researchers, at one of his recent lectures in Seattle and really enjoyed the education, although I think it maybe a little dry for you depending on your interests.

Anyway, get it checked out, don't freak out, the odds are in your favor

I just sounded like the Hunger Games just then...

Eric

The white patch MAY be dysplasia! It could even be cancer. A biopsy should be done to find out for sure what it is. It is not possible to accurately diagnose anyone over the internet.

Here is a gallery that will show all kinds of tumors. Click on each photo and then click on the word diagnosis. I was surprised by the things I would have thought were cancer and they werent.


Oral Cancer Gallery


Please let us know how you make out! Do not let the ENT dismiss you due to your age.

Good luck!!!