This is my first post to the community, and I do sincerely hope that my question is not stupid. Let me start by saying that I am in the middle of a health insurance change and I am currently unable to see a physician. (This is a temporary situation, as my new insurance should start up in no more than 2 weeks time) I am here because I need to alleviate my fears and get the opinion of others in my situation.

I am 25 years old. I used to be a VERY heavy smoker (sometimes up to 2 packs a day) and a drinker. I no longer smoke, but I do drink socially now. I smoked and drank to that extent for almost 4 years. When my husband and I became pregnant with out dear son, I quit cold turkey. That's just a little back ground information..

Here's where things get scary for me:

About a year and a half ago I woke to a lump on the right side of my (soft) palate. It was excruciatingly tender to the touch, and VERY hard. It was about the size of a writing pen tip. This lasted for nearly a week and a half and then subsided. This was my first experience with the lump.

Several times since it's first appearance it has returned, each time tender and sore as before, and each time it seemed to be a little bigger. Every single time I have considered going to a dentist to have it checked out, only to have it dissapear before two weeks.

Just recently the lump has returned. And it's impossible to say if it's related, but I have been experiencing sinus pressure in my right earlobe, and headaches. It has now grown to a little bigger than a pencil eraser. It has stayed with me for about 2 and a half weeks.

It hurts when I chew food. It's as if there is a pressure behind it that is exacerbated with any sort of touch.

As soon as my insurance has started again, I will get in to see a doctor. Until then , I have to know.. what are possible causes of this stigma?

Cancer scares me, as cancer runs rampant in both sides of my family.

Help!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RavenHeart,

Hello RavenHeart

It is most probably not a mouth cancer. It could be that the 'very hard' writing pen tip sized 'lump' was a bit of bone called the pterygoid hamulus that was traumatised (by food?). Cancer doesn't disappear and reappear. The earache and headaches could be unrelated to the'lump' but be myofascial pain related to clenching activity (anxiety?). Don't be scared, but please see your dentist for a proper diagnosis.

Best wishes
Vinod

Hi!
I was just wondering how your story turned out. I too am having issues similar to yours. Heavy smoker/drinker and have had displasia removed 2 years ago. I had quit smoking for about a year and have started again. I have constant pain in the area and it is seeming to turn white in color around the back left side of my tongue.
My concerns are the pain on the side of my face, in my ears and jaw issues. As Dr. Joshi noted it could be caused by anxiety which is very true as I am a teeth grinder in my sleep. I am just overwhelmed with worry and have an appointment with the dentist tomorrow, but worry that I will have future problems.
Please let me know how you are doing!