Congrats on a successful surgery! Wishing a speedy, pain free recovery.

Most members here have squamous cell carcinoma. Thats what I had and am most familiar with. Im not familiar with basal cell carcinoma type of cancer. Some only will get surgery while others with more advanced cases or margins not so clear or with a suspected spread will need radiation as a clean up tool. At this point try not to worry too much about 'what if' the future holds. If its deemed necessary then the doctor will let you know what the next step will be.

Best wishes!

Mines was also squamous cell. My margins came back clear and my nodes were negative for cancer on the pathology.

My oncologist said because the recurrence rate is so high (30-40%), and there was some peri-neural invasion, and the tumour was relatively deep, I should still give consideration to radiation (although not chemo) as a preventative measure, but it was my choice.

He indicated there was no "wrong" answer, and it really is dependant on everyone's individual circumstances. I have decided to hold off on radiation for the moment, and keep a very close on eye on everything.

Good luck with the pathology results. Not saying this is cancer, and about 95 percent of H&N Cancer is Squamous Cell Carcinoma, the clear margins during surgery can come back postive from the frozen section sent out for further study. Basal Cell Carcinoma occurs in he skin. Not much you can do, other than worry, until the final findings are in, and have some faith that the doctor thinks it's not cancer.

Hi there.. if it's in the tongue I imagine it would be squamous cell carcinoma... but hopefully it's not. If the margins come back clear chances are they will not do anything after unless there is spread to nodes, or perineural involvement (usually if the tumor is deep it hits a nerve) At this point there is a better chance of microscopic spread. This may lead them to recommend rads (possibly chemo)

If they do not then definitely keep an eye out for swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and or unhealing sores in his mouth. If either happen then have him back in the office ASAP.

One of the mistakes some of the drs make is assuming they got it all but microscopic cancer can sit in the nodes and flare up later. This is why this cancer has to be monitored carefully. My dr. already knowing it was cancer removed a chunk of my tongue and despite knowing I had no node involvement also took out 40 lymph nodes... at the end of it he said in my opinion you are cured but still sent me for rads because between the biopsy, and CTs and MRIs a node popped up and by the time they did the surgery it had leaked some of its cells... this cancer can move quickly so hopefully they have nipped it in the bud... assuming it's cancer at all... I hope and pray it isn't... best of luck with the results.

I would encourage two things at this stage if by chance they are not already in progress: First, get a second opinion (including a review of the operative and pathology reports) by an oncologist specializing in oral cancer. The reason I recommend this is that the current doctor may or may not have specific expertise relative to his type of cancer, and if the doctor is a surgeon, a medical oncologist brings another, non-surgical perspective that can be somewhat different.

Second, be sure to have regular follow-up exams and scans, so that if by chance there is a later reoccurrence it will be caught as early as possible. The follow-up could be detailed oral exams by an ENT that involve a repeat scoping of the throat and possibly CT scans (detailed high-resolution x-rays) and/or PET scans (which highlight areas where there is more metabolic activity, as might occur from cancer or inflammation).

Think of both of the above as taking out an insurance policy to reduce risk. Good luck!

[quote=Caroline1972]I have a question, let's say it is something but the pathology shows she got it all and the margins are clear. Is that the end, like with a basal cell carcinoma or does he still need to go through treatment? [/quote]
Short answer: It depends.

In my husband's case (see my signature), what had initially been diagnosed as dysplasia (abnormal cells, but not cancer) did turn out to be squamous cell carcinoma when the whole white patch was taken out -- but it was removed at such an early stage, and with clear margins, that the cancer specialist ENT he saw after he got the SCC diagnosis said no further treatment was necessary. That said, he did go back to that ENT for checkups on a regular basis; the appointments lengthened out over time, and now he gets checked annually. (His dentist also checks him with a VELscope and refers him to an oral surgeon whenever she sees anything out of the ordinary; no problems so far, knock on wood.)

Others here have had clear margins, but because of concerns about possible spread, or the size of the tumor, or nerve involvement, or the staging that was determined from the biopsy and other tests, they've gone through radiation/chemo.

Here's hoping you don't have to be concerned about any of this -- but if it turns out that you do, you're in the right place for information and advice.

Hi everyone, we got great news, it is not cancer and no suspicious cells Thank God. She actually had the report a couple days after surgery but we got the official report on Monday. It said it was negative for neoplasia on all three pieces that were sent. I wanted to copy the report but my husband scanned it in and it will not let me copy and paste. But basically that it was mild acanthosis and subjacent parakeratosis but negative for neoplasia. Also the portion was squamous mucosa, submucosa and skeletal muscle showing ulcer with granulation tissue and showing mild to moderate acute and chronic irritation and negative for neoplasia.

I thank you all for your support and I pray for everyone's health here, you really helped us through a scary time and I am very grateful to all of you. Thank you so much you will never know what your support meant to us. God bless you all.

Caroline, that is just fantastic! Have a wonderful Christmas !

Congrats Caroline!!!! Always love seeing members come back with good news. Best wishes with continued good health!!!

Great news!