Oral Cancer Scare

[marnold]

I JUST NOTICED THIS ROUGH PATCH IN MY MOUTH AND IT LOOKS TO BE WHITE. I AM A 24 YEAR OLD BLACK MALE WHO SMOKED BLACK AND MILDS FOR 3 YEARS ( REMOVING THE FILTER AND INHALING) AND NEEDLESS TO SAY WORRIED. I HAD AN ULCER ON MY UVULA 2 WEEKS AGO AND IT SEEMED TO HAVE WENT AWAY, BUT I THINK IT HAS RETURNED OR NEVER LEFT. PLEASE RESPOND AND LET ME KNOW YOUR OPINIONS DOCTORS.
THANK YOU, MARCUS

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi Marcus,

This rough patch in your mouth , does the white surface scrape off and bleeds?

Is this hard and elevated?

Is this painful?

Would you be able to describe the ulcer in your uvula?

Do you have any swallowing difficulties?

Any palpable mass in the neck?

Any change in taste sensation?

Do you use any dentures?

A white patch in the mouth described to be plaquelike is termed as leukoplakia. A lesion in the mouth may indicate irritation  or inflammation of the surrounding structures.Constant irritation may lead to swelling, ulceration or bleeding. Chewing tobacco or smoking exposes this region to toxic substances which may irritate the thin lining ( mucous membranes) of the mouth and nearby air passages.A decrease in one's immune response ( defense mechanism of the body )  or prolonged use of antibitics and steroids may cause white patches to form which is actually fungal growth known as thrush.Viral infections may cause ulcers to form in the sids of the mouth and they may be painful.

Consult with an ear nose and throat specialist fo further work up of the lesion. Although most mouth lesions are of no  grave concern, a proper work up is necessary espesially when factors like smoking is present.


Keep us posted Marcus.

[marnold]

HELLO DOCTOR,

I AM GOING TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS IN ORDER:

1. NO, THE WHITE PATCHES DO NOT SCRAPE OFF AND BLEED.

2.NO, I WOULD NOT DESCRIBE THEM AS HARD AND ELEVATED, JUST ROUGH

3. NO, THEY ARE NOT PAINFUL.

4. MY "ULCER" LOOKS LIKE 2 BUMPS ON MY UVULA. I NEVER THOUGHT IT WAS A ULCER, BU THAT'S WHAT THE DOCTOR IN THE ER SAID IT WAS. IT IS NOT PAINFUL AT ALL, LIKE AN ULCER  USUALLY IS.

5. NO I WOULDNT SAY  HAVE TROUBLE SWALLOWING, BUT WHEN DOING NOTHING I SOMETIMES FEEL LIKE MY WIND PIPE IS SLIGHTLY OBSTRUCTED.

[marnold]

6. NO PALPABLE MASS, BUT I WILL GET EXAMINED AGAIN.

7. NO, THERE IS NO TASTE DIFFERENCE.

8.NO, I DO NOT USE DENTURES.

MY MAIN QUESTION AND CONCERN IS THIS: SINCE I SMOKED AND INHALED FILTERLESS BLACK AND MILDS WHICH I JUST FOUND OUT ARE WORSE THAN CIGARETTES, COULD I HAVE SPED UP THE CANCER PROCESS?
FACT: 1 BLACK AND MILD HAS THE NICOTINE LEVEL EQUIVALENT TO A PACK OF CIGARETTES. ALSO 1 BLACK AND MILD HAS 17 GRAMS OF TOBACCO, WHILE CIGARETTES HAVE ONLY 8.4 GRAMS PER CIGARETTE. JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

THANK YOU DOCTOR,
       MARCUS

[marnold]

P.S. TODAY I FELT THIS BUMP NEXT TO THE WHITE PATCH INSIDE MY LEFT JAW, AND IT SOFT AND LOOKS CLEAR-ISH. TUMOR?? THANKS AGAIN DOC.

[marnold]

P.S. TODAY I FELT THIS BUMP NEXT TO THE WHITE PATCH INSIDE MY LEFT JAW, AND IT SOFT AND LOOKS CLEAR-ISH. TUMOR?? THANKS AGAIN DOC.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

Your history of smoking and in your case also inhalation of tobacco increases your risk  for developing new growths in the oral area.

The next step is to discuss with your physician regarding a biopsy .A biopsy is usually done after a thorough physical assessment has been performed and more common causes ( eg infections, trauma) have been ruled out to be the likely cause.

An ENT or a medical oncologist may be able to help you.Importantly, an online verbal communication is never a substitute for an actual physician consult.

Stay proactive and  smoking cessation will surely help.

Keep us posted regarding anything.Good luck!

[lolita620]

i really need help to stop smoking.i have stage1t1a vocal cord cancer 6weeks of chemo and 6 weks of rad. they everthing looks good im so scared now i have earaches will rad do that  i think that is how this started im 5mos out of tx , just went on nov 5th everything was fine.go again jan 14th
ears hurt just at times also fighting bronchitis

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

I just responded to your other post.

Quitting smoking is hard and takes a lot of will power.Discuss with your physician the use of smoke cessation drugs and its possible interaction with your other medications.


You may also seek consult with a clinical psychologist and contact support groups like the American Cancer Society's Quitline.They have a phone counselling program that can help you.


I hope this information helps.Keep in touch
Good luck.

[lolita620]

will vocal cord cancer spread to lymph nodes on oppisite side of neck.just went to ent in nov said everything was great.i had vocal cord cancer on the right vocal cord  stage1t1a.is it normal to have spasms this long after chemo and rad im almost 5 mos out.i think ifeel a swollen gland on the left side where your big pulse is please help. i hope im panicinking  fo nothing

i go back to ent the14 th of jan.dseems like for ever
i also have been taking pred and all kinds of anti botics for bronchitus