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Noticed Painless Bump Below Gum. Chances Of Ghastly Jaw Cancer? Worried
Question: i have a bump below my gum, below my 6th lower molar. You can't really see anything, i just feel a hard bony bump, it looks pink and normal on the surface. its completely painless. The tooth above has given me problems in the past and will prob need r/c in the future :( im female, 45. I don't smoke or drink. Healthy.
Feeling worried about ghastly jaw cancers.
Feeling worried about ghastly jaw cancers.
Hi,
Thanks for your query.
Bump below 6th lower molar has many a causes. You have told that the tooth has given you many problems in the past. I want to know the exact problems you had faced in the past for the tooth. Because if you have history of toothache, loose tooth, frequent caries, delayed eruption of tooth, poor oral hygiene, then chance of having inflammatory or developmental dental cyst is more. Pain may or may not be associated with this. There is also possibility of some malignant tumors of the gum though you dont have much risk factors for those. As you said the feeling of the swelling is like a hard bony bump, it may also be a bone tumor arising from mandible like osteogenic sarcoma, osteoma, pindborg tumor etc.
You have to do the following right now to get the diagnosis:
1. Fix an appointment with a maxillo-facial surgeon.
2. Get examined locally.
3. Radiological evaluation in the form of X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan of your oral cavity specially to assess the extent and nature of the lesion.
4. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) may be done for cytological examination of the tumor.
5. If tumor is small excision biopsy can be attempted.
But all these should be done after proper local examination and under supervision by a good maxillo-facial surgeon. Dont be worried too much. Be patient. Do what i have suggested. I think you will get the diagnosis.
Hope i have answered your queries. If you have further queries you may ask me freely. Kindly write a review on my answer.
Regards,
Dr Arnab Maji
Thanks for your query.
Bump below 6th lower molar has many a causes. You have told that the tooth has given you many problems in the past. I want to know the exact problems you had faced in the past for the tooth. Because if you have history of toothache, loose tooth, frequent caries, delayed eruption of tooth, poor oral hygiene, then chance of having inflammatory or developmental dental cyst is more. Pain may or may not be associated with this. There is also possibility of some malignant tumors of the gum though you dont have much risk factors for those. As you said the feeling of the swelling is like a hard bony bump, it may also be a bone tumor arising from mandible like osteogenic sarcoma, osteoma, pindborg tumor etc.
You have to do the following right now to get the diagnosis:
1. Fix an appointment with a maxillo-facial surgeon.
2. Get examined locally.
3. Radiological evaluation in the form of X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan of your oral cavity specially to assess the extent and nature of the lesion.
4. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) may be done for cytological examination of the tumor.
5. If tumor is small excision biopsy can be attempted.
But all these should be done after proper local examination and under supervision by a good maxillo-facial surgeon. Dont be worried too much. Be patient. Do what i have suggested. I think you will get the diagnosis.
Hope i have answered your queries. If you have further queries you may ask me freely. Kindly write a review on my answer.
Regards,
Dr Arnab Maji
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have had a lot of problems with the tooth in the past. it is nearly all filling. I have been told that it will need root canal at some point.
I will see my dentist monday. I am so worried about cancer...i am worried sick.
I will see my dentist monday. I am so worried about cancer...i am worried sick.
Hello,
Thanks for writing back.
I think from your history that this swelling is a simple peri-odontal cyst. Though it needs to be examined properly. You have taken the right decision to consult your dentist. You can discuss the issues which i have mentioned in my previous answer.
Dont be worried too much. Keep patience on you.
If you have further queries on specific issues you may ask me. Otherwise you may close the discussion here.
Kindly write a review on my answer.
Regards,
Dr Arnab Maji
Thanks for writing back.
I think from your history that this swelling is a simple peri-odontal cyst. Though it needs to be examined properly. You have taken the right decision to consult your dentist. You can discuss the issues which i have mentioned in my previous answer.
Dont be worried too much. Keep patience on you.
If you have further queries on specific issues you may ask me. Otherwise you may close the discussion here.
Kindly write a review on my answer.
Regards,
Dr Arnab Maji
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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