Noticed White Patches Inside Cheek. Concerned For Mouth Cancer

Posted on Tue, 25 Dec 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 25 Dec 2012 Answered on

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been chewing for about 3 to 4 years. My gums are hurting and I notice a white patch, located inside myleft cheek. My dad has died from mouth cancer when he was 42...

Answered by Dr. Krishna Kumar (2 hours later)

Hello,
Thank you for sharing your problem with me. I am a surgeon and treat patients with cancer as well.
The white patch in the mouth could either be oral thrush- a fungal infection or earliest sign of something before turning into cancer( a pre-cancerous lesion)
This could be differentiated by clinical examination of your mouth and few tests.
So I urge you to visit your physician at the earliest
Hope I have cleared your doubt
thank you
Regards
Dr K K

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Mohammed Kappan