| Oral cancer? Freaking out.
Note, I've attached a picture of my "lump in question". Just a warning in case pictures gross people out, although it really doesn't seem gross looking to me.
Hey everyone,
My name is Jess, I'm 23 years old. In late December 2010, I found a lump on my gums. It's right at the top gumline, between two teeth, towards the front of my mouth. It's white in color.
I saw my dentist in December and he said it was nothing to worry about. My gums were swollen at the time because I was a smoker (I quit a month ago).
I saw him again in March for a cleaning, the bump was still there. It did not change in shape, color, or size since December. He told me to floss with flouride around the bump.
I saw him again 3 weeks ago and it was still there. Again, no change in shape, size, or color. He said at this point I should have an oral surgeon take a look at it and get a biopsy. He did some sort of treatment to it, something that sounded like "carsage" (if anyone knows what I'm talking about, I'd love to know the actual name). He did this because it thought it might be some kind of fibro condition (can't remember the name he said). When he did this, it got a little smaller. But, 3 weeks later, it is still there.
Since he did the treatment, the teeth around the bump have become sensitive and sore. I have an appointment with the oral surgeon this week but I'm freaking out. This is because I also have bad ear pain (both ears) and neck pain (but no lumps in neck, lymph nodes aren't really swollen). My doctor and dentist both say this is because I have severe TMJ. However, in the past week I've also developed a sore throat (thought my doctor said my blood work shows I have allergies and some say TMJ can affect the throat).
So, basically, I'm freaking out. I smoked for 4 years, 2.5 of which I was a regular smoker. I also drank heavily for awhile (clean and sober now for 2.5 yrs). I read that oral cancer is becoming more common among younger people. Does this sound like it could be a cancerous tumor? I know I'm seeing a doctor this week but the wait is killing me, plus the biopsy results take 2 weeks. Can anyone give some informal advice or ideas about this? I know I can't consider advice here as official or equal to professional analysis, but I'd love to see some ideas so I'm not in the dark.
Thanks!
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