Advice on this growth on my tongue?

May 16, 2006 10:56 PM

In the last two weeks, a weird nodule has formed on the bottom of my tongue. I think it's a ranula, but I'm not a doctor and can't say that for certain. I don't have health insurance, but I gotta get rid of this thing before it gets massive and more painful. What kind of doctor do I see to get this removed? How much will something like this (getting a "thing" on your tongue removed) typically cost?

(Posted as anon because I'm self-conscious and several people I know read MeFi. It's already starting to depress me, as I'm afraid to talk to people and can't kiss.)

posted by anonymous to health & fitness (16 comments total)

From the General Practice Notebook:

Treatment depends on size. Small ranulae are excised; larger ones are marsupialized, i.e. de-roofed so that the cyst opens into the floor of the mouth.
posted by thebrokedown at 11:42 PM on May 16, 2006

I just looked at some pictures.

It looks like something you could lance yourself. I can't imagine the taste is all that delightful, but it would be over soon enough.
posted by five fresh fish at 12:16 AM on May 17, 2006

It looks like something you could lance yourself.

Don't do that. Go to the doctor. If you're on an HMO you'll probably need to see your primary care provider anyway and they will tell you the right place to go.
posted by grouse at 2:09 AM on May 17, 2006

Go to a doc in the box. They're reasonably priced and you won't, you know, lose your jaw.
posted by effugas at 3:40 AM on May 17, 2006

grouse writes "Don't do that. Go to the doctor. If you're on an HMO you'll probably need to see your primary care provider anyway and they will tell you the right place to go."

Did you miss the part where it said "I don't have health insurance, "
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 4:28 AM on May 17, 2006

No, I didn't miss that part. I just completely misread it for some reason as "I have health insurance." I guess the mind sees what it wants sometimes. Sorry.
posted by grouse at 5:47 AM on May 17, 2006

Can't you go to the ER, and then run away? I seem to remember reading that somewhere else here.

(It's amazing what you take for granted living in Canada -- I guess most of the rest of the world.)
posted by chunking express at 7:01 AM on May 17, 2006

Occasionally something like this turns out to be tongue cancer. If so, when you lance it, you'll break the fascial barrier that was keeping the malignant cells from spreading all through your body.

Not very likely, but the downside is immense.
posted by ikkyu2 at 8:58 AM on May 17, 2006

Although I suppose what ikkyu2 is saying is possible, I had something exactly like this, and the oral surgeon who treated me advised me it came from a sensitive spot on my tongue rubbing against a rough spot on my teeth. I'd definitely not freak out about cancer or losing your jaw. I'm not saying it can't be cancer, I'm just saying there's a far more benign explanation.

I apologize that I can't offer you good advice as to the meat of your question -- getting it fixed and how much -- but I did want to post this to counteract the "cancer" stuff.
posted by WCityMike at 10:58 AM on May 17, 2006

I have no advice on getting rid of it, but wanted to comment on your explanation of posting anonymously: I've never noticed peoples' tongues while they talked to me, so don't get too self-conscious.

I wouldn't recommend going to the hospital and skipping out, though I'm not sure it was a serious suggestion. Don't they take your contact information before treating you? I went in bleeding (somewhat heavily) from the head a few years back, and I seem to recall doing a lot of paperwork while I waited, rather than when I was done. So they'd know where to find you.
posted by fogster at 1:02 PM on May 17, 2006

It was serious; I don't think it's the best thing to do in the world either, but if you have no other options.
posted by chunking express at 1:06 PM on May 17, 2006

but I did want to post this to counteract the "cancer" stuff.

It's awesome that you're volunteering to accept the liability for someone's wrongful death from metastatic cancer. I wouldn't have the gumption, nor do I have the $10 million such cases typically settle for.
posted by ikkyu2 at 1:37 PM on May 17, 2006

Is the question-asker more likely to die while traveling to the hospital than s/he is likely to have a metastatic cancer under her tongue?

I will readily admit that I prefer to take care of myself instead of running off to a doctor for every little ache and pain. So far, I've managed to not die despite my various untreated or self-treated wounds.

Were that a liquid-filled bubble under my tongue, you can be damn sure I'd be in there with a sterilized sewing needle. Just a tiny pinprick to relieve the fluid. The miniscule hole would self-heal in minutes.

True, at the least sign of trouble the next day, I'd be visiting a doctor. No need to get too carried away.

YMMV.
posted by five fresh fish at 7:07 PM on May 17, 2006

It's awesome that you're volunteering to accept the liability for someone's wrongful death from metastatic cancer. I wouldn't have the gumption, nor do I have the $10 million such cases typically settle for.

It's really not worth MeTa-ing, but very nice selective quoting and straw man there, ikkyu2.
posted by WCityMike at 12:47 PM on May 18, 2006

Could you see your dentist? If you are due for your periodic exam you might be able to call up the office and say "hi there, not quite ready to get my teeth cleaned (unless you are ready) but I was just hoping to have Dr. so and so take a look at the old choppers. It's been _____ months and well, rather get ahead on that." Then when the doc gets you in the chair, you absolutely must remember to mention that thing under your tongue. He might be able to say "fluid filled thingy, let's poke a hole in that." Or, he might say "Oh shit, go get that chopped out and sent to a lab."

Sorry to make light of your situation. Today was my last day at a dental office, managing the place. We are always flattered to be the office you call for the mouth stuff. The dentist is qualified to send you where you need to go, even if that's just home.
posted by bilabial at 6:46 PM on May 18, 2006

He doesn't have insurance though; how is he going to afford to go to the dentist?
posted by chunking express at 7:14 AM on May 19, 2006