Bump on inside of lip

MitchellM
MitchellM Member Posts: 48
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hi All -

 

I have a scare that I am really quite concerned about and was looking for information that might help put me at ease. I have been an on and off dipper (chewing tobacco) user for 6-7 years, I'm 27 years old. It was actually to the point where I had stopped for a long time (~6 months) and then relapsed a couple of weeks ago. I only had 3 dips over a 5-7 day period and am now sick to my stomach. I have a spot on the inside part of my lower lip that looks like an ulcer, but seems to be more inverted originally but has now become flatter. The edges are red and hurt whenever I eat or drink anything. My dentist doesn't think much of it, as I only noticed it a week ago, but I know deep down inside it is something wrong....There are only so many times you can pray and make promises that this is the last time you'll do it before you stop getting looked after. The spot is 0.7 cm x 0.4 cm and continues to grow, it seems to be growing quickly on a daily basis. In addition to the white center and red edge, there is also deep red gums that extend to the top and bottom of my lip, close to the jaw. I am really really scared and was trying to see if this is a common area for cancer? Most of the oral cancer I see is either on the gum, jaw, tongue, bottom of mouth, and haven't been able to find anything about inside lip. Moreso, if this is cancer, can it be caught early enough to remove, even though I have a history of tobacco use? I know that these types of cancer are typically less treatable versus HPV+, etc.

Anyways, I'm headed to another dentist today that said he'll do a brush biopsy. I just feel like this is my punishment for making so many promises to quit over the year and coming up short. Worst part is, I am about to start a new job and will be off insurance for about a month. I am hoping I'll also have a job if this does end up being cancer and I need to be treated. Very, very scared.

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #2
    what do I have.

    Hi MitchelM,

    You would be better served by a visit to an ENT (someone who deals with H&N cancer).

    I don’t know what you have going on, but we generally define cancer after a positive biopsy.

    Good luck.

    Matt

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    edited August 2017 #3
    Mitchell....I agree with Matt....

    Going to dentist after dentist and not knowing if they proficient in identifying cancer is a waste of your time and money.  Go to an ENT (Ears, Nose, and Throat) Specialist, and get a definative answer.  There are pre-cancerous conditions....conditions that go away when the irritant causing them goes away....for some it's a jagged tooth, or ill fitting dentures...for you it's probably chew.  

    Go to Walmart and buy some patches to help you get off the chew....and quit beating yourself up.  We all have weaknesses because we're human.  God doesn't punish us because we break a few promises....geez, I'd have died 50 years ago if that was true....but He does want you to take care of yourself.  Git thee to an ENT, and take the pressure off your mind.

    p 

  • MitchellM
    MitchellM Member Posts: 48
    #4
    Thanks Everyone

    just finished up with getting a biopsy taken and he said the ulcer was much deeper than expected and went into the salivary glands. I didn't really like the tone in his voice when explaining this, even though he said he wasn't overly concerned, and will now be dreading the 2 weeks until I get the results. 

  • Tonita
    Tonita Member Posts: 197 Member
    #5
    I went through that.  I had

    I went through that.  I had what I thought was a canker sore on the side of my tongue.  When it didn't heal, I knew it was bad.  I was a heavy smoker.  Turned out I was right.  It was squamous cell carcinoma.  It was caught in time so I had surgery to remove the tumor and no after treatment. 

    Take a deep breath and don't get ahead of yourself.  Whatever it is, you have to face it head on and you will.  Day at a time.

     

  • MitchellM
    MitchellM Member Posts: 48
    edited August 2017 #6
    Tonita said:

    I went through that.  I had

    I went through that.  I had what I thought was a canker sore on the side of my tongue.  When it didn't heal, I knew it was bad.  I was a heavy smoker.  Turned out I was right.  It was squamous cell carcinoma.  It was caught in time so I had surgery to remove the tumor and no after treatment. 

    Take a deep breath and don't get ahead of yourself.  Whatever it is, you have to face it head on and you will.  Day at a time.

     

    Thanks for the response

    Thanks for the response Tonita!

     

    How long did you notice it before you got the biopsy?

  • OKCnative
    OKCnative Member Posts: 326 Member
    #7
    MitchellM said:

    Thanks Everyone

    just finished up with getting a biopsy taken and he said the ulcer was much deeper than expected and went into the salivary glands. I didn't really like the tone in his voice when explaining this, even though he said he wasn't overly concerned, and will now be dreading the 2 weeks until I get the results. 

    I would definately seek

    I would definately seek advice beyond a dentist. Who did your biopsy?

    My symptoms were originally dismissed by my PCF and the first ENT I saw. It wasn't until I went straight to an Oncologist (on my own) that I was thoroughly looked at and then referred to a much more competent ENT.

    That ENT did the biopsy himself and rushed the lab and I got my results the next day. He said he didn't want me to have to wait long because he knows how emotional that can be.

  • MitchellM
    MitchellM Member Posts: 48
    edited August 2017 #8
    OKCnative said:

    I would definately seek

    I would definately seek advice beyond a dentist. Who did your biopsy?

    My symptoms were originally dismissed by my PCF and the first ENT I saw. It wasn't until I went straight to an Oncologist (on my own) that I was thoroughly looked at and then referred to a much more competent ENT.

    That ENT did the biopsy himself and rushed the lab and I got my results the next day. He said he didn't want me to have to wait long because he knows how emotional that can be.

    Hi OKCnative, a dentist did

    Hi OKCnative, a dentist did the biopsy. I just called the place that does the dictation and they said it should be ready today. What freaks me out is the ear and neck on that side of my face is now getting considerably more painful. I'm a nutcase right now, as I have searched for some time and can't find anyone that had issues in the same spot as me. 

  • Tonita
    Tonita Member Posts: 197 Member
    #9
    MitchellM said:

    Thanks for the response

    Thanks for the response Tonita!

     

    How long did you notice it before you got the biopsy?

    It was around the holidays

    It was around the holidays (Christmas) that I noticed the sore.  I went to the doctor in February and he sent me to an oral surgeon who sent me to Yale to a head and neck cancer specialist.  I had the biopsy in mid February and had the surgery in March.  I was concerned about all that time but I guess it was typical.  My advice, and I know it's really hard, but don't get ahead of yourself.  Take every things as it comes and deal with it then.  You will drive yourself nuts.

  • MitchellM
    MitchellM Member Posts: 48
    #10
    Tonita said:

    It was around the holidays

    It was around the holidays (Christmas) that I noticed the sore.  I went to the doctor in February and he sent me to an oral surgeon who sent me to Yale to a head and neck cancer specialist.  I had the biopsy in mid February and had the surgery in March.  I was concerned about all that time but I guess it was typical.  My advice, and I know it's really hard, but don't get ahead of yourself.  Take every things as it comes and deal with it then.  You will drive yourself nuts.

    Thanks for the response

    Thanks for the response Tonita!

    I got the biopsy result back and there was no cancer to be found. Still a bit concerned that my lip is numb / tingling a lot and that the swelling hasn't subsided, but definitely relieved about the results. I'll have a follow-up with the dentist in 2 weeks. I'd imagine if the biopsy didn't see anything, I shouldn't be concerned right?

    MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION: (Tissue staining is appropriate for interpretation) Histologic examination reveals a two trimmed and fragmented soft tissue specimen consisting of ulcerated mucosa. A portion of the specimen is covered by statified squamous epithelium which shows slight parakeratosis. Over a portion of the specimen the epithelium has been ulcerated and replaced by a birinous exudate which suspends inflammatroy cells. The ulcer base consists of inflamed granulation tissue. The epithelium at the ulcer margin shows no viral or obvious dysplastic change. Chronically inflamed minor salivary glands are also present. There is no evidence of a neoplasm and the lesion appears relatively non-specific histologically.

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