Tongue Neoplasm

My wife has had a tongue lesion or ulcer for approx. 7 years. We have seen a doctor about this several times but up until now has refused to go for further tests with a ENT Doctor. The doctors did not think it was cancer but were afraid itcould turn into oral cancer. She went to the dr. yesterday for a unrelated problem and he referred her to another ENT. I didn't give her a choice this time and we have an appt. in two weeks.

Sore is on the middle top side of the tongue. Right under her the back edge of her top dental plate. The tongue bleeds at times, and acts up (swells, turns red) with certain spicey foods. Much of the time it isn't sore but is always ulcerated. Very little white around the sore.

Brief History:

She had gall bladder surgery two years ago and was shown to be low in pottasium.
In the past she has had Anemia, and with her diet she may still be.
She suffers from GERD and is on medication for this.
She has always had bad teeth, and had to get dentures at a fairly young age.
The dentures she has are held in place with posts that were inserted in her bones.
She gets sores occasionally on the corners of her mouth. They tend to heal and come back.
She is pale.
She smokes.
She has been asked by several doctors including the one yesterday if she was bulimic. Even though he said her weight for her height is perfect.
One doctor pulled me to the side and asked me about this. Stating the stomach acid could be a contributing factor to her early tooth loss, her tongue and mouth sores, and her weight. She is not bulimic and if anything just the opposite. Until the past few years she was upset that she couldn't gain weight.


My suspicion with her tongue sore was always due to a vitamin defeciency and/or her upper denture plate. The ulcer is about quarter size.



I don't think I will be able to sleep until we see the ENT and I kick myself for not "making" her follow up with an ENT specialist earlier. Isn't oral cancer fast growing?

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

I would suggest you see an oral surgeon or oral pathologist. The latter can be located at a teaching hospital or a dental school. I feel they have more experience in diagnosising and treating oral lesions.