Panicking- I have a lump on my tongue.

[hellymelly]

I have had a little lump on my tongue, near the base at the side, for ages. I meant to ask the dentist about it last time I went but forgot. Anyway this week I have noticed it has got larger .I missed calling the GP yesterday but will go this week. Tonight when I logged into my emails yahoo was running something about mouth cancer, saying there's been a 90% increase, and as I read feeling increasingly worried, the words "base of the tongue" were mentioned. I feel sick now and properly scared. I've ignored it as I have a small bump on the other side in the same place so I thought I shouldn't worry about it. Don't know what I expect anyone to say really, I suppose I'm hoping for some "oh that lump is totally normal" type comforting comments which I realise are not likely. I'm really frightened.

It's more likely to be a blocked salivary gland. Does it get larger when you eat? Pop and see your GP, you can get an ultrasound so they can look at it.

I don't think it gets larger when I eat, at least not that I've noticed. They can ultrasound your tongue?? Blimey. That's good I suppose. Do blocked glands get larger over time then?

Yes, it's cool. They stick a little lemon juice on your tongue and run the ultrasound probe under your chin. They change in size and can get painful. You need to pop and see your GP. Don't google, that thing can change a cold into the plague!

Is it soft or hard to the touch?

I have something similar, right at the very back of my tongue (more where it joins to the back of my mouth). Like you, I've been worried about cancer. The GP is going to refer me for a scan, but he reassured me that it's unlikely because:

• I'm the wrong age (42 but mouth cancer usually happens older)
• Not a smoker
• Not a heavy drinker
• The lump is soft and not hard

Most likely diagnosis is a salivary gland problem. Apparently as well as the major salivary glands there are lots of minor ones, all around the tongue/mouth, and they can get blocked/damaged.

Can't say I'm entirely relaxed about mine, but hopefully both of us will soon be fully reassured .

I did google a couple of days ago and there seemed no reason I could find for a lump there other than a cancer so that was the beginning of me getting in a panic.... I do realise one should never google if one is of a rather panicky disposition (I convinced myself dd2 had terrible reflux when in fact I had a fast let down and she was a bit of a guzzler). But sometimes it is hard ro resist. I vowed I wouldn't look at it again until I'd seen the GP but then all the STUFF appeared on yahoo and frightened the hell out of me.

Just pop and see your GP.

My lump isn't soft, it is firm to touch. Can't tell if its is actually hard as such because its difficult to press it properly. I guess its about a cm along my tongue from the back at the side edge. I'm not a smoker, but according to the bloody yahoo report they think the increased cancer rates are due to oral sex (!!!!)

There's no way of anyone on here knowing. You're best off going to see your GP. Stop panicking, there's loads of things it could be.

Yes, I know that's the only sensible course of action. Thanks for the advice, I will see my GP asap. I suppose I just hoped that someone might say something consoling that would stop me feeling so terrified until I can get an appointment. I never used to worry about health stuff but since having my dds I really panic easily. Maybe as I've had them in my 40's. I'm aware things can start to go wrong. DH just raised an eyebrow when I said I'd posted about it....