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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

Jaw cancer - irrational or a possibility?

38 replies

Natashahopkins123 · 27/12/2013 12:50

I've had a hard lump on my lower gum for a few weeks now which hasnt been helped with antibiotics.
Dentist has done an urgent referral to the hospital and I am seeing them late next week.
Doesn't look like mouth cancer but jaw cancer can show as a lump in the mouth apparently,
Anyone shed any light?

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ProfPlumSpeaking · 27/12/2013 12:52

Awww, no idea what it might be (am not a doctor) but feel sorry that you are worried and glad that you are dealing with the issue. Most things are false alarms (she says helpfully) but worrying nonetheless. I hope someone more knowledgeable will be along in a moment to allay your fears more comprehensively!

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Natashahopkins123 · 27/12/2013 12:55

Thankyou for your reply
Can't pretend I'm not going out of my mind with worry especially as the dentist has referred me under the 2 week rule although to me he said its not cancer, most probably a cyst! Little confused I have to admit!

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Natashahopkins123 · 27/12/2013 13:34

Anyone that can help at all?

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Blippybirthday · 27/12/2013 13:49

I hesitate to say this but...have you Googled? I don't think jaw cancer is a 'thing'. Actually best not to Google but rest assured I have severe health anxiety and every time a professional has said 'cyst' it's been a cyst despite repeated scans etc on my insistence. So sorry you're worried - it's awful. X

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Natashahopkins123 · 27/12/2013 13:55

Yeah it was google I found jaw cancer on.
Never thought of it prior as the lump is on the gum.
Just didn't know you could get a cyst on the gum!
I had one removed from my head last year but am shocked that this one literay appeared overnight

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Blippybirthday · 27/12/2013 14:02

I had one under my arm and honestly I just couldn't cope until the scan came back 'cyst'. It was awful so completely sympathise. I'd just say keep in mind that the professionals have said more than likely 'cyst'. My auntie had breast cancer, had lump felt and the doctor said (straight away) 'more than likely cancer'.

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Natashahopkins123 · 27/12/2013 15:13

Thankyou.
Just so scared.
I have a young toddler, the worst just terrifies me if I'm honest.
The dentist didn't seem terribly concerned but the fact he's used the " 2 week rule " referral makes me wonder

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Mrsmorton · 27/12/2013 15:47

your first post Natasha? There's another poster on here with precisely the same issue as you.

Stay away from google. No one on here can help you, it's totally impossible to say, if it were easy then your dentist would have diagnosed you, he's seen you and your x rays. He probably knows how worried you are and that's why he's referred you urgently with the unintended consequence of worrying you more.

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luckyclucky · 27/12/2013 15:55

DM has this at the moment, she was also referred in under 2 weeks, turns out its an extra (3rd) tooth.
She's not looking forward to having it removed under GA but its much better than the scenario she had convinced herself of.
I just wanted to give you another 'it could be this don't worry' story.

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LoreleisSecret · 27/12/2013 16:07

Jaw cancer is definitely 'a thing' what a strange comment.
Hope everything's ok in the end OP.
X

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Natashahopkins123 · 27/12/2013 16:17

Really? I search jaw cancer mumsnet and nothing came up.
This is my first post on here I was a member last year but had forgotten my log in.
Thanks for the quick replies, do you know if yet are likely to tell me at the appointment Thursday what they think or will it be another waiting game?

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Mrsmorton · 27/12/2013 16:24

Maybe search form emilycreaven999 and have a chat. She's had some good advice on here.

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Tanfastic · 27/12/2013 16:27

May or may not help as all lumps and bumps are different it I had a hard lump (painless) come up on the roof of my mouth a few years ago. I left it a few weeks and it disappeared.

It's never come back but I did mention it to my dentist who noted it but didn't seem concerned.

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UsedToBeNDP · 27/12/2013 16:34

Mouth cancer rates are on the up and it's something that GP's and dentists are being encouraged to refer for if they see any 'red flags'. However red flags or things that appear to be red flags do not necessarily mean cancer. A 2ww referral does not mean that you have cancer. The consultant you see for your appointment may be able to tell you immediately that it is not an oral cancer or they may wish to perform investigations if they are unsure.

The likelihood of oral cancers are greatly increased in heavy drinkers, users of chewing tobacco, heavy smokers and older people. It is rare in young, healthy, non smokers and light/moderate drinkers. Even if you fit so e of the criteria for higher risk factors, you are not guaranteed to have it.

See the Dr and try to keep things in perspective until your appointment. No one here can tell you whether or not you have cancer.

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Tanfastic · 27/12/2013 16:58

I think the two week thing is common for any lump to be honest. My ds was referred urgently within two weeks with a neck lump that hadn't disappeared but the consultant said immediately nothing to worry about.

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paddyclampo · 27/12/2013 17:04

I had this and the only thing that made it go away was root canal! It was a really hard lump, almost felt bony!

Doesn't oral cancer usually show up as a sore on the tongue / inside of cheek rather than a lump?

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paddyclampo · 27/12/2013 17:05

Forgot to add, antibiotics had made no difference!

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Natashahopkins123 · 27/12/2013 17:06

Thanks again.
I don't know how to search for Emily's post, how do I do that?
Glad that come Thursday I might have more of an idea.
I'm 27 and have never smoked, drink only on special occasions and even then only a glass or 2.
The dentist said he didn't think it was cancer of any sort which is why i was quite surprised to be referred under this 2 week rule which is for where malignancy is suspected

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Natashahopkins123 · 27/12/2013 17:08

Paddyclampo,
Many thanks for your reply.
The bump is rock solid, tender if pushed hard but certainly not causing disruption to my life!
I actually had root canal on my 2 back teeth a few months ago, so am wondering if it's something to do with that not being successful?
I hope the dentist who did all the treatment would have noticed anything then if it was cancer, seems quite co incidental that 5 weeks after my last root canal treatment this has happened

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timidviper · 27/12/2013 17:13

You mention that this thing came up overnight. I might be wrong but I imagine that a cancer would grow more slowly than that and would keep growing where yours seems to have stopped. Hopefully that means that what you have is likely to be a cyst

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Natashahopkins123 · 27/12/2013 17:23

Hi,
Yeah I imagine so too however I've had a few cysts and those too didn't come up overnight, they started small and grew.
Although I guess it could have got infected hence the swelling and slight pain and that's why althought it went down a little with antibiotics it def didn't clear it altogether

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Blippybirthday · 27/12/2013 17:37

Excuse me! I was trying to be supportive. I've never actually heard of jaw cancer. What a strange response to someone trying to reassure.

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Natashahopkins123 · 27/12/2013 17:40

To be fair I had never heard of jaw cancer either!
Until I googled it an bham, refereed that's wheat u have after all

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Mrsmorton · 27/12/2013 17:44

Blippy you probably wouldn't have heard of it referred to as that! it would be an osteosarcoma or some such but still, very rare. It's like calling it your back bone I guess. No one would say backbone cancer? Don't take offence to whoever said that ope get dead rep us on these "have I got cancer, my Dr couldn't say but I think MN might diagnose me" threads.

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RunRunRuby · 27/12/2013 17:51

The two week rule is there because some lumps are cancerous. Some lumps are obviously something else and can be easily diagnosed. If there is no definite diagnosis and no tests have been done, then no one can say it's definitely not cancer, so it is referred under the two week rule. Doctors tend to err on the side of caution. They can't tell for certain by looking who has cancer and who doesn't, and therefore who to refer under the two week rule, so they'd rather refer everyone quickly than miss the one rare case where a lump looks benign but isn't :)

He wouldn't have told you it's unlikely to be cancer unless he was fairly sure, they're always careful not to offer false hope/reassurance.