Hi there,

First off, let me thanks you all for keeping such an informative web page. Your stories are amazing and I am praying for you guys!

About 3-4 weeks ago I noticed a lump on my bottom gum, just above where the base of my tounge is on the inside of my mouth. It is pea sized, and is hard. There is no pain, however it does move around a bit when I touch it with my tongue. I do not believe that it has changed in size, although I am freaking out a bit and touch it all the time with my tongue, so I'm sure it is helping things any. I am trying not to consume my thoughts with worry, as that only makes things worse, but I am really scared.

I have a dentist appointment in a week. I am 25 yrs old and smoke about 7 cigs a day, rarely drink. I know this MUST stop...

The pictures that I have seen do not seem to match the description, as you cannot visibly see the lump in my mouth. It is the same color as the rest of my gums, and is not significantly raised.

Thank you in advance for any comments or advice in helping me worry less.

Take Care

Hi Frank

Most mouth cancers in the floor of the mouth don't present as you describe it, so that should help ease your mind. But you must keep your appointment and let your dentist have a look. Let us know how it turns out.

Do try and stop smoking; it will be the best thing you did to improve your health!

Best wishes
Vinod (from sunny Crete)

Thank you so much for getting back to me. I will let you know how the dentist appointment goes. I still worry about it a lot, but I am doing my best not to, and to leave it alone in my mouth. (Much easier said than done...especially for someone who is a worry wart!).

Thanks again, muchly appreciated.

Take Care

Hi there,

Just thought that I would let you know that I saw my dentist. He said that all is well.

They took X-rays of my mouth, and it showed nothing out of the ordinary. It took him some time to actually find the little lump in my mouth, but he eventaully did. He explained it with some medical terminology (that I have heard of only because of this board) and I totally forget what he called it as I was just relieved that it was not a concern.

He did a really good exam of my mouth and said that all the landmarks look good, and that there is no real concern with this. But to come back if I ever felt that there was a concern.

I am thankful for your response Dr. Joshi, and I think that you do wonderful work.

Take Care & God Bless