I noticed a lump on the right side of the inside of cheek, down very low. It is right next to the bony part of my lower gums, but in the soft tissue part about as far as one could stick their finger straight down and a bit to the cheek side. If you were to draw a straight line down from the first molar from the front, it is right there. I felt it w/ my tongue a couple weeks ago and made an appt w/ my dentist when I took a look in the mirror b/c it had a slightly gray color to it. I was refered to an oral surgeon and both said it was probably nothing, but O.S. is taking it out on Friday and sending it to pathology to be on the safe side. He checked my jaw, lymphnodes, teeth, and xrayed--all negative. But he said one thing that is scaring the hell out of me and that was, """Well, that's good. It does not appear to be in the bone, just the soft tissue.""" To me that implies """it""" could spread?!!! Did anyone have a small (3mm) rather firm, grayish in the middle cyst? It is moveable and does seem to change ever so slightly during the course of day. Doc said it almost appears to be a traumatized salivary gland--but no history of trauma and he said it's not really in the right place. What the heck does that mean? I am really really scared b/c of the color of it. Does not look healthy. Plus my best friend of thirty three was just Dx with cancer, and my dad recently died of esophageal cancer. Please help--really freaked out. Thanks, ----Laurie

Laurie, My advice go to your ENT as soon as possible nad get checked out

Paul

Hi Laurie

You have done the right thing and the lump is being investigated. They are doing a biopsy on Friday and only the histopath report can provide a definite diagnosis. No one can know what this lump is, so no point guessing.

However, the positive thing is that it is slow growing, not ulcerated, and bluish which are not features of a mouth cancer. .... and everything was negative. I hope that reassures you as much as it would me. So relax and take one thing at a time .

Let us know how it turns out.

Best wishes
Vinod :coffee:

Thank you so much for the replies. I have been checking all day! Thanks for the reassurance, doc. I'm glad it doesn't sound like the """typical""" complaint. I guess things w/ my friend and my dad got me really anxious. I will definitely let you know how it turns out. Say a prayer for me? I really just want to be there for my best friend right now. One more question if you do not mind. I am leaving for NY on Sat. one day after they take this thing out and he said it would be stitched. Will I be in a lot of pain? Will they typically give meds for pain or is it not going to hurt over the weekend? Should I ask for something just incase b/c I will be far from home? Sorry--way more than one question huh. talk soon, --Laurie

The stitch closes the (excision?) biopsy site, so leaves no raw wound. Avoid stretching the area affected - don't want to tear the tissue or undo the stitch(es). There will be a slight ache, so you will need to take some paracetamols. Apply cold packs (10-15 minutes on and off) over area to reduce any swelling for the first 48 hours. Avoid hot/hard/spicy foods and alcohol. You should be fine. No need for morphine, I think!

Best wishes
Vinod :coffee:

Hi again. Wanted to let you know what just happened. I was starting to feel quite ill, hot, and having facial and neck pain in the front on the side affected. It was really freaking me out and I put my tongue in the growth area I was so scared about and it is GONE! I looked it the mirror and I am swollen and in pain on the rightside of face and neck. I have a darn infection! A whole lot better than cancer! I started on a big dose of Amoxocillin until I can call tomorrow and ask what to do. I have had trouble with this tooth right above the affected area for a few yrs now, and xray showed no infection but it hurts. It has been route canaled, so no one believes me when I say it has been hurting. They think it is impossible--but I have told them for yrs it hurts off and on. Guess I had an underlying infection that decided to erupt. I am going to call doc tomorrow and see what to do--hopefully have it removed finally. Thank you for replying doc--I am so glad to see a doc on a website such as this. You have no idea how much it helps people to hear back from a doc and not just have them blow you off, so THANK YOU! Wishing you all the best. ---laurie