Hi. Sorry for the long post.
I first went to my GP about an 'ulcer' on the roof of my mouth in Sept 2007. I was referred to hospital in Jan 08 for a punch biopsy which was negative for malignancy and dysplasia. Was given some thrush medication. 'Ulcer' did not go and was/is not painful. It changes a little in appearance from time to time - seems to get redder and sometimes with whitish bits round the edges, but then will go back to just being red with a small 'hole' in the centre. It has not got bigger and does not bulge. It is sometimes slightly itchy along with the back of my throat like an allergy. The biopsy was redone in May 2008, again showed no malignancy or dysplasia, just a few 'atypical' cells, which the doctor said would have been disruption from the previous biopsy. Still no change and no explanation - no one seems to know what it is. They are now continuing to monitor it 6 monthly. It is now January and there is still no change. I have another appointment in mid Feb. It seems to get a little irritated if I eat much 'junk' (sweets etc)and settles down again when my eating is back to normal. As I said before it gets itchy at times - not on the actual spot, but just the whole back of my mouth/throat. There is no other unusual signs anywhere else in my mouth, and my dental health is good. Still not particularly painful. My dentist says it doesn't look like a typical mouth cancer (if there is such a thing), but she says it is 'not right'.
Right now it is a little inflamed, probably due to Christmas indulgence in rubbish food(!), but still not larger or more painful than it was.
My concern at this time is that I have recently discovered that I am pregnant (welcome but certainly not planned). Should I try to get a sooner appointment at the hospital - will it make any difference? I am concerned about the fact that after all this it is still there, almost 18 months on and I still have no explanation. One doctor mentioned 'non specific ulceration' but they seem at a bit of a loss. Should I be pushing for a more definite diagnosis/ second opinion? Are 2 biopsies likely to both be wrong? Is it ever 'normal' for this kind of sore to just stay unchanged indefinitely?
By the way, I am female, 36 and have never smoked and almost never drink any alcohol.
Would appreciate any thoughts on this.

Hi JH

Wow, you've certainly got a lot in front of you. Congratulations on the baby, and-- --welcome to the club no one wants to join.

Have you been to an ENT, preferably one who specializes in head & neck cancer, for the roof of your mouth? You might want to see if you can get in any sooner than mid February. The fact that it's been there for nearly 18 months concerns me. "A sore that will not heal" is one of the warning signs I remember from the old American Cancer Society ads.

Hoping for the best for all of you.

Julia

Hi JH

I would doubt that two biopsies would be wrong and hope they are not but hey ho, whats wrong with getting a second opinion if you are not happy.

The number 1 top sympton on the MCF posters is 'a sore or ulcer in the mouth that does not heal within three weeks' so go for it, you can certainly do without the worry, especially now.

Let us know how you get on, fingers crossed it is nothing.

Hi JH, I am with Angie on this one.
GO and ge another opinion even different hospital if you can.
I dont want to scare you but finding out asapis vital for mouth and neck patients.
I was told by my local hospital "go home you dont have Cancer" in a manner of "your wasting our time.
I have nevr forgot the Doctors face and would love to meet him now .
Please keepus informed of your progress and congrats on the baby and good luck.

Paul

This seems all too familiar! My husband noticed a small pimple on the roof of his mouth back in December of 2008. We finally got him in to see his GP and he brushed it off as nothing, but set us up with an ENT to get a 2nd opinion. The ENT also said it was nothing, but wanted him to come back in 6 weeks for a follow up. on his follow up appointment he was booked in for a biopsy since the "pimple" had changed shape and color!!?? The biopsy came back malignant and gave us a name of this cancerous tumor...Muco-Epidermal Carcinoma luckily it is a low grade of cancer. It doesn't stop there, by the time we got in to see his oncologist another month had passed, unfortunately, the cancer had spread to his hard pallet my husband underwent major surgery removing 85% of his pallet (roof of mouth) and reconstructing it with the skin and vein from his wrist. Again we are blessed with the cancer being low grade and not having to go through radiation!! I don't want to scare you, but if I can save someone from going through this awful ordeal I will continue to tell our story!! Don't brush this off as nothing!! Get a second opinion, and a third and a forth!! Good luck!!!

Ulcers on the roof of the mouth can be very uncomfortable. There are various natural ulcer treatment to relieve the pain and heal it. However, if it persists, it is always wise to have it checked out.