Hello everyone,

As I am sure most people are when they first post here, I am quite nervous about a sore in my mouth. It developed suddenly a little under a year ago as a white pimple like bump on my bottom lip. I must preface by saying I was currently drinking and smoking a fair amount on the weekends. Prior to that pimple I had noticed that occasionaly that lip would swell and tingle, in those cases I would avoid cigarettes and it would usually clear up. So anyway, this 'pimple' worried me, it was white and painful, I never should have but I popped it between my fingers and then smoked cigarettes that same day.

Around the same time I had broken up with my girlfriend who had been diagnosed positive for genital warts, I never had been, but I had been told I had papules. Also in my medical background, my father suffers from type 2 diabetes and I have suffered a pretty bad concussion. Just providing background.

In any case, I went to the doctor probably a few months after this morning, because the sore had not healed, at this point it resembled a normal small bump on inner lip but a bit swollen, it was possible to ignore but if bit would hurt and since it is in the front I always notice it and worry over it, touch it with my tongue etc. The first doctor was very noncommittal in her diagnosis, saying it was nothing at first, but then when I pointed out the irritation she said "Hm that could be bad." They gave me oral antibiotics to swish around and after the treatment was over the bump remained.

I was not satisfied and escalated it to the head and neck surgery department, where the doctor looked at it a week later and told me he thought it was basically a mucous retention cyst, that I had a lot of earwax on that side of the head (i don't see how that relates) and it was DEFINITELY not cancer. Obviously I was unconvinced as I am here- I felt that he also rushed through the examination, thinking the bumps were not big enough, and since I did not have leukoplakia and my glands were not swollen.

Here I am months later, basically a year from when it started, and the bump has not healed, it feels like there is a lump underneath, but there natural lumps underneath the skin anyway- this side does feel tingly and strange. I have used every over counter medication on it, probably to the detriment of the injury (?) and I am really scared, now without health insurance and crappy free clinics, I have learned nothing more. I should also mention I have a couple of jagged teeth on that side od the mouth and those could be reirritating it too, but they never did in the past. What should I do? Does this sound like anyone else's case? Am I just a hypochondriac, I mean one dentist (started there, forgot to mention, they couldn't diagnose but were concerned), one GP and one specialist scoffed at the idea of cancer, but everytime I look on the web I find oral cancer matching a non healing mouth sore. And the STD clinic says it's not a herpe either?

Should I demand a biopsy?

Sorry for the very long message, just scared and looking for advice. Thanks for reading.

quote:

oaklandmale28
Posted 28 July 2005 04:58 AM
Good point about the internet, this site is providing much more level headed advice than googling bump in mouth, I think mouth cancer is the first thing to be listed. It is a real bummer that some doctors do not take the time to alleviate these fears or talk you throught the process of a mouth sore healing. Also that not everyone has the right to health care in this country! I work full time and do not have it.

Is it safe to say though, that bumps that change in size like this are not cancer almost always?

Posts: 2 | Location: oakland ca | Registered: 28 July 2005

The fact that it hasn't grown bigger in the months since first detected points it not being a cancer. The initial lump could have been a mucous retention cyst (they tend to swell, then burst). There are other small lumps that can be felt in the lip and are natural like sebaceous glands or minor salivary glands. If in doubt, get another opinion. Hope that helps.

Best wishes
Vinod

(by the way my last question should have said are bumps that do NOT change in size or color are almost always not cancer)

Thank you for your response, doctor, I will get a third opinion as soon as I get insurance (stupid US health policies), just for piece of mind. I'm sure I have been aggravating the area by constantly prodding it with my tongue and fingers, also pulling lip down to examine in mirror, can doing this cause irritation and odd feeling? I am obviously putting a lot of mental anguish into one area of my body, that probably doesn't help matters. Is it possible I am diabetic and the sore area is healing more slowly because of that? Or that a sharp tooth (I do have one on that side) is constantly irritating it? Perhaps I should just try to NEVER touch it and see what happens. Not sure if I am a hypocondriach or just aware of something wrong- the area does not quite feel right.

Sharp teeth can irritate, your dentist can smooth sharp edges. Leaving the area alone will help.

Thanks again, doctor. I know everyone here appreciates your time and input. This site is a great service.

I realize this thread is long over with, but I thought that in case anyone decided to follow up or re-read it, my input would be seen... I'm 33 and I have had the same discolored bump on my lower lip for almost 3 years now. It started with many similarities to what I have read here - just a pimple-like sore on the lip that was festering and irritating so I popped it then applied hydrogen peroxide to clean out the infection. I noticed the area had turned purple by the next day but figured that was to be expected (bruising and such) and would eventually return to normal, but it never did. Instead it continues to stick out like a sore thumb (or lip, if you will) and I have tried lip ointments, vaseline, antibiotics, even re-bursting it to see if it would disappear for good, after which the bleeding was almost uncontrollable for an hour or so. It looked like it might heal up with no discoloration until the scab fell off - now it is back to the same as before - purple in color, and slightly upraised from the lip like acne, but no festering head. It is the first thing people notice about me and some have even asked what is wrong with me - but I don't have insurance so I can't get it diagnosed. I hope it isn't cancer, but everything I have tried has failed to get rid of it. Can anyone offer any suggestions? Thanks so much and God bless!

Hello Justin

You need to ask your doctor. It is not possible to make a diagnosis over the Internet. It might be a lip angioma. Do let us know how you get on.

Best wishes
Vinod