buccal mucosa cancer - #17410

I recently had an unusual sore inside my cheek that didn’t seem to go away. At first, I thought it was just a canker sore, but when it didn’t heal after a few weeks, I became concerned. I went to my dentist, who suggested that I might need to get it checked by an oncologist because, in some rare cases, sores in the mouth can be a sign of something more serious like buccal mucosa cancer. At first, I was completely unfamiliar with buccal mucosa cancer and didn’t know that it could develop in the mucosal lining of the cheek. After some research, I learned that buccal mucosa cancer is a form of oral cancer that can develop in the inner lining of the cheek and is often associated with risk factors like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, or even certain HPV infections. I’m a smoker, which has me even more worried, as I know smoking increases the risk of oral cancers. I’m trying to understand what the typical symptoms of buccal mucosa cancer are, as well as how it is diagnosed and treated. From what I understand, buccal mucosa cancer can start as a small sore or ulcer in the mouth that doesn’t heal, but can progress to lumps or growths inside the cheek. I’ve also read that it might cause difficulty chewing or swallowing, but so far, I haven’t experienced these symptoms. Does anyone here know what other symptoms I should be on the lookout for? Should I be worried if the sore doesn’t go away in a few more weeks, or should I already be seeking a second opinion or getting a biopsy? If I were diagnosed with buccal mucosa cancer, what are the treatment options available? I’ve read that surgery is often required to remove the tumor, and sometimes radiation therapy or chemotherapy might also be used. How effective are these treatments, and what can I expect in terms of recovery? Has anyone been diagnosed with buccal mucosa cancer or experienced similar symptoms? What treatments did you undergo, and how did you manage the condition?