Hi you all..im Kristie, i live in Lebanon, OR and im 41.

About 4-5 months ago, i discovered a pale lump on the left side of my tongue. I figured maybe it was a swollen taste bud or something and didnt worry about it..
For the last month, its developed to about the shape of an almond, and the size of a pencil eraser. Its still pale pink, but has a whitish harder "shell" that splits open..It doesnt hurt or anything, its just bothersome because i can feel it, and its starting to affect the talking and chewing motions. It hasnt bled, that i know of.

I had an appointment with my doctor today, and he called it Leukoplakia, and has referred me to an Ear Nose and Throat Doc, for a possible biopsy.

I am definately nervous...i saw pictures of the leukoplakia, and ive heard that women that have leukoplakia are more at risk for developing squamous cell cancer..

Will have more information as time goes on.. i have the feeling this will be the start of a novel.

Thanks for listenin!
Kristie

Hello Kristie

It may not be a cancer. Let us know know how you get on. Good luck.

Best wishes
Vinod

Hi Dr..
Im hoping its not...i peeled the white outer layer off yesterday, leaving the lump ..its lighter than my tongue tissue, and there is still a little of the white tissue remaining. It did not peel off easily, and did not bleed.
It actually looks like it did before it developed the whitish "plaque". They have scheduled me to see an ENT on June 13th. Way too far out to me..but they must not think so.
Keep ya posted..
Thanks for responding.
Kristie

I woke up today, to another lump forming on the opposite side, of where the lump is., its a faint pink lump, with a white little pindot, that can not be moved..

What is this...??
This is making me so scared..
Kristie

Hi there,
I had my appt today with the ENT doc. The lump on the side of my tongue is a fibroma, and he said just to watch it for changes. No biopsy, and he doesnt think its anything to worry about. I had a crown done near where the bump is last year, and i have a allergic reaction to surgical steel, which may be the result of this lump. He also said that my tongue is too large for my mouth, and that my teeth may be causing the lump also, when i snore at night..
So....i feel better..LOL.
Thanks
Kristie

Hello Kristie

While therte may be nothing to worry about, the lump should be biopsied. Get an appointment with an oral and mxillfacial surgeon and get the 'fibroma' biopsied/removed for a histological confirmation and comfort in the mouth as the lump will only rub against your teeth causing the white patch (hyperkeratosis) especially if the ENT said your tongue was too large for your mouth (really , what does he think the right size for a mouth is?).

Best wishes
Vinod

The lump and white patch are back, the white patch is split open. I called my ENT today because they instructed me to do so if the lump "reappeared" with a white patch.. They have me going in today on a rush appt at 4:00pm..

We'll see what happens today..

Hi Kristiabella

I've read your postings to Vinod and was wondering how you are doing? Please let us know.

Your story sounds like how mine began, and now I'm a 3 year survivor of stage T2 N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma.

Julia