oral cancer? - Cancer: Oral Message Board

chrisw_18 · 02-18-2004, 08:34 AM

Over the last 6 months I have noticed a series of lumps on the inside of my gums. They have not really increased in size in the last 6 months but they also don't seem to be going away. The flesh on the inside of my mouth appears normal and the only irregularities are the lumps. Some are more firm than others and they cover the entierty of the inside of my lower lip and part way towards the back of my mouth. They also occur on the inside of my upper lip and gum but they are much smaller. Could this be a sign of oral cancer???
Thanks for your help

mnemosyne · 02-18-2004, 05:13 PM

How many lumps do you have? Do you have any risk factors for oral cancer? What size, etc.? I'm not sure whether they are on your gums or on the skin inside your lip, or both, or otherwise. Given your description, I think this is some sort of benign condition. However, it is definitely something you should have checked out by a physician or dentist. Hey, you should have your teeth cleaned twice a year anyway, and dentists can perform a really good evaluation for oral cancer, so... have it checked out.

chrisw_18 · 02-18-2004, 09:09 PM

Thanks for your responce
There is a large number of lumps. More than can be reasonably counted. Some are very small while others are larger. The lumps are located on the inside of my gum, under the skin and they are not visible by superficial examination. It is only by feeling for them that they can be detected. I have chewed tobbaco, but it was only for a few months during last summer, and fairly infrequently so i couldn't see the lumps being related to that.