Something Wrong With My Right Back Tongue

 I have chewed Copenhagen for 15 years and tend to drink a lot of beer on a regular basis. Yes, I know I shouldn't but I do. I am 45 now. About 6 weeks ago, I noticed a strange feeling in my mouth/throat that has not gone away.It is at the base of my tongue on the right side where it is kind of connected to the cheek-throat. I cannot see it. I went to an Urgent Care on Saturday to have it checked out. I told the MD I was worried it may be cancer. She asked me right away if I "chew tobacco". I lied and said I quit about a year ago as I have had 3 dips a day now and spit it out after 2 minutes without fail.She used a tongue compressor the best she could and said it looked "irritated". She said she didnt think it was cancer and that I should get cancer in my gums and lips before my throat area. I dont trust that analogy so I am seeing a ENT next Monday. I have alot of anxiety and am telling myself that it most likely is "cancer" because in my eyes, it cant get any worse than that. I am expecting the worst so I wont be shocked. I hate addictions. Do you ?

You are very smart to pursue this as it sounds as if whatever it is, it is at an early stage. Make sure you get a biopsy of the area or some other test that will conclusively prove whether or not it is anything to be concerned about.

 I am a tongue cancer survivor; had what seemed like a tiny (almost invisible) canker sore on the side of my tongue that didn't go away.  I had it removed after having it for several weeks.  It was cancer, and I had to have an additional piece taken off of that side of my tongue to make sure they got it all (which they did).  I am very lucky and have no effects from the surgery and (knock wood) no recurrence after nearly 3 years.

 Please let me know how you're doing and what you found out at the doctor.  I know addictions s*ck but be sure to be honest with the doctor about using chewing tobacco and drinking.  I was a kind of heavy drinker (2-3 glasses of wine a night on average) and I quit cold turkey after I found out I had this and haven't touched it since.  Alcohol is indeed a risk factor for oral cancer, and in combination with tobacco it's even worse.  I had also smoked in the past but had quit 25 years earlier so I do not think in my case the tobacco was a factor but you never know I guess.

Best of luck to you - and if it isn't cancer this time, it could be another time, so please, please, try to quit the tobacco.  Chewing tobacco is one of the biggest risk factors out there.

Thanks for your concern. You are the first I heard from. Well, I went in last Monday AM to the ENT and they sprayed my nostrils with some numbing fluid and slid a camera thru my nose to see  down in my throat. Pretty high-tech stuff. You could see the inflamed tissue as she compared it to the left side of my throat. She said she didnt think it was cancer and felt it and said they are normally a hard "mass". She gave me an Rx for some steroid medicine to swish and spit (dexamethasone) and another to fill in 2 weeks if not better. What she really stressed was for me to stop sticking my fingers down there because that it what is also irritating it. It has felt much better now but today, the sensation is back. I asked her if I could come back for a follow up visit and she said that would be fine. I will wait for another 2-3 weeks and if this is not gone, I will ask to get a biopsy done.I dont want it to get big and spread to my glands,etc.She said she sees these types of things on one side of the throat all the time but I think she may have seen my anxiety and wanted me to not worry so much. I will keep you posted.

Glad to hear that the ENT doesn't think it's cancer.  Keep an eye on it (without sticking your fingers down there, LOL!) and see how it does; perhaps it will just go away - I think sometimes there can be viral infections that just affect one side of the throat.

My dentist has a new solution that he uses (it tastes like vinegar) to detect cancer. The patient rinses his or her mouth with the stuff and then the dentist shines a special light on their mouth and it shows up any abnormal areas.  You might want to ask your doctor or dentist about that if you still have this problem.  Or, a brush biopsy might be all you need.

 I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you that it just goes away on its own!  Best of luck, keep me posted.