South Africa
A 17-year-old female asked:
i have a painless pea sized bump on my upper gum that has been there for six years now. i do not smoke nor drink. could it be oral cancer?
5 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Gary Sandleranswered
Dentistry 54 years experience
Painless bump?: Could it be oral cancer? Yes, but very unlikely if there was 6 years without any change in size\ symptoms. However, it could be other things such as an infection which has also been known to cause serious effects both locally and systemically. People have actually died from infections. See a dentist to diagnose it! don't take chances! no pain is not equal to nothing serious.
4.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Robert Mokbelanswered
Dentistry 42 years experience
Little chance: There is always a chance that this lump can turn into a cancer, with your smoking and drinking the possiblity is higher. No one can sy really without a clinical examination and even a biopsy. It could be just fibrous or bony. Get it checked out. Good luck, dr mokbel.
4.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Sal Aragonaanswered
Dentistry 41 years experience
Possible: Oral cancer rates have stayed about 5% of all types with increasing rates in younger age groups that have been associated with hpv. Don't guess with this, i urge you to get it check out asap!
4.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Kiyan Mehdizadehanswered
Dentistry 9 years experience
Unlikely: Cancer, by definition, grows aggressively. If you have a bump that has been there for 6 years and has not changed in shape, texture, color, or size, then it is not cancer.
4.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Paul Grinanswered
Pain Management 36 years experience
Traumatic fibroma: also called Irritation Fibroma. It is common, benign mucosa enlargement due to chronic trauma (e.g. biting lip, sharp tooth margin). The treatment is excisional biopsy. See your dentist for definitive diagnosis and treatment if needed.
It is not an oral cancer.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Last updated Mar 17, 2016
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