How worried should I be?

[csteinman]

Hi, my name is Chris.  I'm 20 years old and from Ohio.

A spot on my tongue appeared 5-6 days ago.  The first couple of days i just assumed that i had bit my tongue, since that's what it felt like.  Then a couple days ago i looked into the mirror and realized that i have a small spot on my tongue.  It's grey/white/red/pink colored; hard to describe; it seems to change from white to red.  It looks exactly like the spot in this picture here:

http://www.neck.co.nz/tongue%20cancer/tongueindex.html

While it says on this site that that is a benign "ulser"... i really have no idea what that means.  As well i've come across several materials (i can be quite the researcher) that suggest this is a benign tumor.  However, many of these resources suggest that a benign tumor will take the form of a "patch" without mention of a "spot" which is what i would describe the imperfection on my tongue as.  Also i've come across a few accounts of malignant oral cancer starting in the form of a "white spot" that feels like a bit tongue at first.  So, i'm obviously a little worried.

It hurts in that spot alone, but nowhere else.

I have indeed been a smoker for 6 years regardless of my young age, which obviously doesn't add to the situation.  Ironically, i have quit smoking for about 2 weeks.

I'm going to see the doctor on Monday.  Until then i'm probably going to be very worried and impation though.  What are the odds it will go away on its own?  What's the chance that it's malignant?  Please respond!  Any information, forwarded resources, suggestions, or recommendations would be greatly appriciated.

Thanks,

Chris

[csteinman]

thank you for your responses.

"It seems to me that you may worrying a lot over something that is of not much consequence."

-hard to not worry about the idea of having to have part of your tongue cut off in any event, if you ask me.  

"Benign means it isn't a bad cancer. "

sure, but while it may not be the 'worst' scenario i still most definitely prefer having NO cancer.

thanks again, both of you.

[leep1]

It seems to me that you may worrying a lot over something that is of not much consequence.  Benign means it isn't a bad cancer.  An ulcer is a place on your skin or in your body that has lost the top layer of cells exposing the area to irritation.  
See you doctor and stop worrying.
One footnote.  Don't start smoking again.  Do whatever you need to do to keep off cigarettes (or whatever).  Your life depends on it.  

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi Chris,

If your tongue "spot" looks exactly like the picture in that web site, it probably isn't cancerous (which is what the term "benign" means).  Those whitish to reddish shallow ulcers in the tongue are called "canker sores", a very common condition caused by a viral infection.  If this is the condition you have, it should go away on its own after a couple of weeks or so. No need to be too worried about it.

Although you most probably don't have tongue cancer at present, you are increasing your risk of developing this condition if you don't stop smoking for good.  I am glad to know that you've already taken the first steps in the right direction. I hope you will stay firm about your decision to quit smoking.  Good luck.