Greetings all, and Happy New Year. I have been having a slight issue that I have been dealing with for the last few months.

Last Spring, I noticed a tiny, fleshy bump immediately behind my upper left molar - near where the jaw and cheek meet. In my infinite wisdom, I scratched it off. I thought "problem solved" as it hadn't given me any problems for the next month or so. Then, I noticed that it had come back and was a bit bigger, except that it had some swelling below it. Now it comes every two weeks or so, rather regularly, then disappears. It doesn't really have a color, perhaps reddish at times, but just swells up into a pimple-like spot, pops, then goes away for a couple of weeks. Once it pops, the only evidence is a small amout of swelling where it once was. It really does not look like an ulcer or canker sore, but it is somewhat hard to see due to its location.

I finally bit the bullet in November and saw a dentist, who in turn said it likely wasn't anything to worry about. However, when I visited him, the spot had already come and gone, so there was not really any discoloration or swelling.

I asked him if cancer usually acts in the manner of a "pimple" that swells, burst, goes away and is gone for a few weeks, then comes back again - in the same spot. He said it was unlikely but told me to schedule an appointment the next time it happens. (It has happened probably four times since, but usually on Friday night then is gone by Monday). I will make another appointment immediately when it returns on a weekday.

I will be honest, I do "dip" and have for the past three years (but after this scare I am done). I am a 25 y/o male and have a lot of work-related stress. Also, my teeth are very tight at the back, which may cause some rubbing sore (?)

My question to you all is: has anyone heard of something like this? I was under the impression that a cancerous lump would not swell up, pop, then go away for a few weeks. I am concerned because it does occur in the exact same spot everytime, with regular frequency, and does offer some slight discomfort. Does it sound something like what cancer could do, if not, any suggestions as to what may be causing it?

Any advice/opinions you could share would be VERY much appreciated.

Jay

I also had that problem a few months back. I lost my brother in May to tongue cancer and went to have this "disappearing pimple" looked at by my doctor in June. He sent me to an ear, nose and throat doctor because I would not take "it's nothing" for an answer. The other doctor told me the same but knew that I was very upset and had it removed there in the office (the white spot was not there but it had left a raised "piece"). Anyway...I sound crazy I know....the results of the biopsy came back negative and he stated that it could have happened because I do tend to bite that side of my cheek and just because pimples do come up. I must admit it has not returned since. Please let it be checked by your physician and then maybe he could refer you. I would have it checked just for piece of mind.

DEAR MESO_JR,
regarding your post on jan 2009.
I also have the same exact thing you described.
My dentist ignored it, now he says i never told him!!! finally i got fed up and decided to call an oral surgeon on my own.
at first the office said i needed a referral but since my insurance didnt need it i told them i had the sore and wanted to be seen. finally i have an apointment with the oral surgeon. I hope to ask him to do a biopsy of the area. also, i called the dentist and he now thinks i need to see an oral surgeon as well. so i will try to write again about any updates.
At least now it will be moniotred.
In my opinion if something is recurring you should go and make a big deal of it yourself and make sure it is documented and moniotred. and if your doctor is not taking it seriously go to a doctor that might do some tests. doctors need to do more tests instead of blindly assuming its nothing!

Thanks for your replies. I hope that all is well. I was finally able to see my dentist when the bump was there. He looked at it and said that it really did not look cancerous, etc. He messed around a bit and had be bite down, etc. and said that it was probably a recurring wound caused by my back teeth rubbing. I have noticed that my top wisdom teeth are *very slowly* emerging, which leads me to believe that that is the reason things aren't acting quite right. The bump still comes and goes, but with more and more infrequency. I also had my blood work done recently and nothing serious showed up.

My latest "problem/fear/overreaction" is that I think my submandibular gland on my left side (under the tongue, left side - same side as the bump) seems to be a bit swollen and I occassionaly get some slight discomfort under my jaw/chin. I am trying to think positive since there are a number of things that can cause this (TMJ, clenching teeth from stress, colds, etc.). And honestly, maybe it has always been this size but I haven't noticed until now and the tenderness is from gritting my teeth when I sleep. I am going to keep an eye on everything and see what happens... if it doesn't settle down in the next few weeks then I will go back to the dentist.

Please keep me updated.

Hi Meso

If your dentist isn't able or willing to help you, you really should make an appointment with either an oral surgeon or an ENT--go to a teaching hospital if necessary. You're doing a good job so far of not taking "it's nothing" for an answer.

Please let us know how things turn out

Julia