I'm a 33 year old Male. I've had this ulser on my tongue for over 2 months now.

I first thought it was a canker it was hurting when i ate salty foods ect. but i've never had one before. After 3 weeks i called my Dentist to have him look at it. He saw my Ulser at the 4 week mark and told me that if it wasn't getting any better in three weeks to call an oral surgeon and he gave me a refferal.

over the next several weeks i noticed it less because it stop'd hurting as much. Also some days the area would look just a bit red and others it would have a white look to part of it. (like the skin lifted up in that area)

I saw the oral sergeon and he told me that it most likely isn't a canker because they don't last that long. He has sceduled me to have a piece of the area cut off to be anylized.

One of my worries is that it might be cancer but i'm not a smoker or drink all that much. I feel like i don't fit any of the risk factors for it.

When i feel my tongue i feel no lumps and when i touch the ulser its smooth. the best way to describe the pain is when you burn your mouth on hot pizza cheese and 1 to 2 days later its still irritated.

I took a picture to show a nurse friend of mine and here it is. It was taken at the 4 week point of the ulser. this is when it hurt the most. today 6 weeks later It doesn't look as bright red and the white spot comes and goes. One day the white spot is there then the next its smaller or gone.

Note: I have Geographic Tongue (i think the white line above the ulser is due to that condition and not part of the ulser?)





Thanx for your help in advance!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,

Hello KMD

I have had a look at the picture you posted. You should have this ulcer biopsied as soon as possible for a definite diagnosis. I am concerned that you haven't already had it biopsied by the oral surgeon. Please expedite the matter. If it is nothing, great! 25% of mouth cancers occur in people with no known risk factors, so it is best not to dilly-dally.

Let us know how you get on.

Best wishes

Vinod

Thank you Doctor for your quick response to my e-mail. I took your advise and I called my oral sergeon to reschedule my appiontment for ASAP and was able to change it from May 20th to May 13th. How long does it take to get the results of a biopsy?

Your e-mail has increased my worries about this and I'm a bit concerned that durring my consultation on May 1st the doctor had no problem secheduling me for biopsy for May 20th. Kinda leading me to believe theres no real urgency. He was reffered by my dentist and has a good reputation in my area but after your e-mail i feel like his desicions wern't in my best interest.


Thanks again for your time.

Hello KMD

Try not to worry about it. Based on what he saw, your surgeon may have thought it could wait but it is always better to be prudent. Let's hope for a good result. The report from the biopsy is usually available in a few days, depending on the pathologists workload and urgency requested.

Best wishes
Vinod

Hi Dr. Joshi

I have been doing more active research online now that my concern about my ulcer has grown greatly. I have a few questions for you.

1) I've read that ulcers leading to cancer tend to bleed easy and you can feel lumps. Is this true for all cases?

2) What other conditions could this ulcer be caused by besides cancer?

3) I read that a lot of people are consulting Ear, Nose, and Throat doctors for exams in these cases. I went to an Oral Sergeon. Should I be seen by an ENT as well?

Thanx again for your helpful information!

Hello KMD

Seeing the oral surgeon and having a biopsy is all you need to do. An appointment has been arranged earlier because it is prudent, not because it is a mouth cancer. Stop worrying and researching.

Have a good weekend.

Best wishes

Vinod

Update

I went for my biopsy today and instead of taking out just a small piece he ended up taking a good portion out. basicly he took the ulcer out. He told me that he doen't think it is cancer adding that the biopsy will tell exacty what it is and scheduled a follow up appointment a week from today to make sure my tongue healed well and to go over my biopsy results. I told him i was a bit worried about the possibility of it being cancer and he told me that he would call me asap when he gets the results. If i don't hear from him by friday he told me to call him.

Hello KMD

Your tongue will feel a bit sore for the next few days but it is good that the entire ulcer was removed for biopsy. Let's now hope for good news.

Best wishes
Vinod

The results of my biopsy came back and I'm happy to say it came back negative! So I guess now the big question is how did I end up with an ulser that wouldn't go away? I see my oral surgeon again on Tuesday to check how my tongue is healing ect. I'm sure he'll talk to me more about it then. My primary care doctor saw me last thursday and said it may be a condition called Lichens Planus.

Thank you Dr. J. for all your help!

Congrats, KMD!

What wonderful news and at the sane time, what an odd disease. I especially didn't like reading where it can affect women.

Lichen Planus

Hope it clears up quickly and easily and am glad you didn't have to join our exclusive club.

Mimi

Hi KMD, I am so happy about your results. Congrats! You must feel great. Can I ask your if your biopsy cost you anything? I was just wondering. I have heard if you go to a hospital it is covered. Andy's was done in a office so he was charged 350.00. We are really happy for you.

Jilly

quote:

Originally posted by KMD:
The results of my biopsy came back and I'm happy to say it came back negative! So I guess now the big question is how did I end up with an ulser that wouldn't go away? I see my oral surgeon again on Tuesday to check how my tongue is healing ect. I'm sure he'll talk to me more about it then. My primary care doctor saw me last thursday and said it may be a condition called Lichens Planus.

Thank you Dr. J. for all your help!

My biopsy was done in the office and fully covered by my health insurance. I guess it depends on your coverage?

Hi KMD,
Congratulations on the result of your biopsy, you must be relieved. Without wanting to scare you, I would like to stress that it's important to keep on to your doctor or dentist for regular monitoring .
I also had lichen planus on the side of my tongue (extremely painful) for 3 years, confirmed by biopsy after two years. When the soreness returned 9 months later, I wasn't too worried, but when it got quite bad, I had another biopsy and it had mutated into a squamous cell carcinoma, stage I. I had the big op, partial glossectomy and partial neck dissection, thankfully no radiation, and am feeling fine today, after almost 4 years. So please keep an eye on any ulcer in your mouth. If caught at an early stage, a possible carcinoma can be dealt with successfully.
Best wishes
Patricia

Hi KMD,

I had something almost identical to what you describe for more than 10 years. My first two biopsies indicated lichen planus but it eventually turned into a squamous cell carcinoma and I had a partial glossectomy about 9 months ago. I urge you to watch this carefully as there is a possibility for it to ultimately become cancerous if the lesion persists. Don't be lulled into complacency based on the biopsy - be diligent and do whatever you can do to elminate the lichen planus.

I should mention that my surgeon indicated that there was nothing I could have done to prevent it from turning into cancer but I think the solution exists but possibly hasn't been found.

I don't smoke or chew tobacco and only have a glass of wine now and then. I did however chew gum excessively (sugarless) and suspect it may have contributed to the problem but there is no evidence that supports this - in fact my surgeon doesn't think there is a connection but I thought it worth mentioning.

And I agree with Patricia47 - early detection pays huge dividends. Prevention, if possible, pays even larger dividends. Get a periodic biopsy - if the lesion persists and it doesn't respond to topicals, any change in the lesion (getting worse) shouldn't be ignored.

Best of luck!

Bob