HomeAnswersDentistryprecancerous lesionI have a lesion in my oral cavity. Can you suggest if it is something to be concerned about?

Can you advise on what kind of an oral lesion this is?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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iCliniq medical review team

Published At May 27, 2022
Reviewed AtSeptember 5, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have been suffering from a lesion for the past three days. I have attached the picture. Can you please tell me if it is concerning or not?

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I will examine the picture (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity) and get back to you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Sure doctor. I am waiting for your valuable opinion.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Though not precisely so prominent, I can observe the lesion inside your oral cavity from the picture. You can follow these treatment options and let me know a few answers so I can help you sort out your issue.

Is the lesion painful? Did you notice any bleeding from the region? Is there any discomfort in eating warm, cold, or spicy foods?

The lesion looks acute in origin, so I suggest you implement these measures (consult with a specialist doctor, talk with him or her, and take medicine with their consent).

1. Start with saltwater rinsing several times a day. The water should be lukewarm. Then, every two to three hours, you can do the rinsing for a week till the lesion subsides.

2. Use an antiseptic mouthwash like chlorhexidine gluconate regularly for three months.

If the lesion does not subside even past one week or fifteen days, you need to get checked by an oral surgeon in a clinic to examine the texture and consistency.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have very slight pain and no bleeding. Does it look like cancer to you?

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It would be better if you could upload me an even slightly clearer and not zoomed photo. If it is paining only in the last three days and is mild, then there is no need for a painkiller if it is tolerable. Can you also, along with the picture, tell me if you are noticing the lesion as a red or white patch?

I suggest you start with antibiotic prophylaxis (consult with a specialist doctor, talk with him or her, and take medicine with their consent). Then, you can apply the ointment Dologel-CT (Choline Salicylate) or Dentogel (Choline Salicylate and Lidocaine) or Benzocaine and 2 % Metronidazole combination gel upon the lesion for up to fifteen days.

It does not look like cancer at all. But also need to make sure it is not precancerous, so a slightly clear picture would help.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thanks for your response.

I am terrified of having tongue cancer. Are you reasonably sure it is not, and what could it be if it is not cancer? That bump looks huge to me. Please let me know if this photo is any better for you. I suppose I feel like there is some white on the side of my tongue. Is tongue cancer painless?

Please help, doctor.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Are you referring to the ulcer-like bump on the lateral side border of your tongue, right? That might be an inflammatory lesion as well. Tongue cancer may be painless, but there are a lot of other clinical symptoms attached to it, which I can not see here. The lesion is acute, so it might not be cancerous. Do you have any smoking habits?

There is nothing to get tensed about. Precancerous lesions never convert to cancer so soon unless they are aggravated. So I would advise you to start (consult with a specialist doctor, talk with him or her and take the medicines with their consent) with lukewarm saltwater rinsing, chlorhexidine mouthwash at night, and gel application as recommended. You can use ointment Evion (Vitamin E and Aloe Vera) over the inflamed bump to reduce it down.

If it does not come down even in a week, then you need to show it to the dentist or surgeon in person so they can examine it correctly. But do not worry. I am not feeling from the visual that it is cancerous at all.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Achanta Krishna Swaroop
Dr. Achanta Krishna Swaroop

Dentistry

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