| Joined: Apr 2018 Posts: 8 Member | OP Member Joined: Apr 2018 Posts: 8 | I went to dentist after months of pain in my cheeks, and now under my tongue. Internist treated for thrush, ENT said it was leukoplackia. Saw the dentist Wednesday and she referred me to an oral surgeons. I have a consult tomorrow. She was sure I needed biopsies. Can anyone tell me what to expect when biopsies are done?
Amanda
| | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 | Mandymphs,
I’ve had about two dozen biopsies, but it’s been a few years, thankfully! I’m not sure what the oral surgeon will decide, but a biopsy can be done during surgery under anesthesia, all my surgical biopsies were done by my ENT, and some were done as an inpatient office procedure with a local anesthesia by a pathologist, but my ENT did one office biopsy.
There are different types of biopsies as mentioned, from surgical, and office biopsies by excisional, incisional and punch biopsy. I recall caution is sometimes needed with an excisional biopsy due to the close margins if cancerous, as some cancer can be outside the margins, and think if there is a need for a surgical biopsy you would need a scan first.
Hopefully they decide none is necessary or one that is minimaly invasive, and only takes a few minutes!
Good luck
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil 11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp 01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks 06/11 30 HBO 08/11 RND PNI 06/12 SND PNI LVI 08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy 10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux 10/13 SND 10/13 TBO/Angiograph 10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI 12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo 11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO 03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN 09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy 04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site 06/17 Heart Attack Stent 02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | Joined: Apr 2018 Posts: 8 Member | OP Member Joined: Apr 2018 Posts: 8 | Thank you, Paul, the oral surgeon put me on a round of steroids to see how much, if any, of the lesions are from inflammation. He also scheduled an incisional biopsy on my left cheek on May 2. My son's wedding is april 29. I didn't want to throw a damper on their celebration. So wish me luck...
Amanda
| | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 | Best of luck with everything on the 2nd, Mandymphs, and congratulations!
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil 11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp 01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks 06/11 30 HBO 08/11 RND PNI 06/12 SND PNI LVI 08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy 10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux 10/13 SND 10/13 TBO/Angiograph 10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI 12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo 11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO 03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN 09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy 04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site 06/17 Heart Attack Stent 02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | Joined: Apr 2018 Posts: 8 Member | OP Member Joined: Apr 2018 Posts: 8 | 2 biopsies done on the 2nd, still waiting on results. Two questions please, how long does it take for results and how long does the pain persist?
Amanda
| | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 | Mandymphs,
My ENT usually gave me the surgical results, but a full analysis can take longer, maybe a week. Surgical pain can usually last a few weeks, even less, but thrush, if it’s not controlled, can last even longer, and can return, and go to further areas if not controlled. I was usually on pain meds after surgery (opiods), and on thrush treatment intermittently for a number of years such as with impeccable oral care, diflucan or omeprazole, nystatin, magic mouthwash for pain, avoiding sugar, which can increase thrush growth. I had invasive candida (thrush) too, that went into the esophagus and stomach, which is not good.
I hope this helps.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil 11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp 01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks 06/11 30 HBO 08/11 RND PNI 06/12 SND PNI LVI 08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy 10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux 10/13 SND 10/13 TBO/Angiograph 10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI 12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo 11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO 03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN 09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy 04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site 06/17 Heart Attack Stent 02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Biopsy results usually take about a week. By now you shouldnt be in so much pain. I suggest calling the doc and asking to get rechecked due to the biopsy pain persisting. You can ask if they could write a prescription for pain meds. Some patients barely feel the biopsy while others have lots of pain. Your could be in pain due to the location and depth of the biopsies and what your pain tolerance is. Im one who is pretty wimpy and I usually am ok after about 2 or 3 days. The day after the biopsy is taken normally is the worst one.
Hope you feel better very soon and wishing you all the best with your test results. Please let us know how you make out. ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Apr 2018 Posts: 8 Member | OP Member Joined: Apr 2018 Posts: 8 | He has me scheduled for a follow-up app on Monday. Sure hope I don't have to wait until then for results.
Amanda
| | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 | Give them a call, the results may be in, and if you can move up your appt? All they can say is, no.
Often, at a large hospital, doctor offices, testing department or labs, I wouid go to the records department or offices, and obtain copies of surgeries, tests, results before seeing the doctor, sometimes days or weeks ahead. Only once I was denied, when a speech pathologist saw me, and inquired about my visit, so they didn't give me any copies while the dr was on vacation. This is only if you can take seeing the results yourself, and able to understand some of the results, which is usually explained in the Findings or Interpetation.
I hope this helps
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil 11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp 01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks 06/11 30 HBO 08/11 RND PNI 06/12 SND PNI LVI 08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy 10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux 10/13 SND 10/13 TBO/Angiograph 10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI 12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo 11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO 03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN 09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy 04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site 06/17 Heart Attack Stent 02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | Joined: Apr 2018 Posts: 8 Member | OP Member Joined: Apr 2018 Posts: 8 | Just talked to Dr office. Results are in, but they won't discuss them with me until my appointment Monday... Scared...
Amanda
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