I am a 58 year old female in fairly good health. A couple weeks ago during a regular dental exam the dentist noticed a small, white sore under my tongue. He thought it might be from a rough edge on a crown that caused a callous. He smoothed down the area and asked me to return for a follow-up if the sore did not go away. It has been two weeks and it has not changed. I've done some Internet research which led me here. There is no pain involved. The sore is on the underside edge of the tongue about 3 teeth from the back. It is white in color and on the small side. The dentist will refer me to an oral surgeon for a biopsy when I see him on the 10th. I should add that I had endometrial cancer a little over 2 years ago with surgery being the only treatment since it was stage 1a. All my follow-ups have been good. Any thoughts, suggestions, advice would be welcome. Thanks in advance.
Hi - Glad you found us here! It's the best place to be for the latest, most accurate information. Sounds like your dentist is really on top of things. It may just be nothing at all, but the only way to tell for sure is with a biopsy. If you haven't already, you could go to the main page upper left and click on "Oral Cancer Foundation" you will see several links that will give you information on dental issues or diagnosis and find out about several different types of biopsies. That way, you might think of some questions you have for the doctor or for us here. Hope it turns out to be nothing serious. Let us know what happens.
Welcome to OCF!
Any sore that you have in your mouth for 2 weeks or longer and it doesnt heal should be checked by a professional. I would suggest seeing an ENT who specializes with oral cancer. An ENT is the physician who most of us see for our check ups after battling OC. My ENT has done a few biopsies for me, but not all ENTs will do an biopsy.
Good luck!!! Hope you wont need to join our ranks an OC survivor.
Thank you ladies for the quick responses and welcomes. I've learned some very valuable information which brings up another question. Should I see an oral surgeon or an ENT specialist? What would be the advantages of one over the other? I'm sure I'll have to have a biopsy and I've read about the different types and how each procedure is done. Is there any information that anyone can offer about which type to have?Thanks so much for sharing.
Both can do a biopsy, but only one can treat you if it turns out to be scc. I would choose a top ENT, who is very familiar with oral cancer (not all are) what way if you do get bad new (which I hope you don't) you are already whee you need to be. Best of luck
Thank you for your wise words.
My dentist is sending me to an oral surgeon who will do a biopsy in his office on Thursday. I asked about an ENT cancer specialist, but we do not have one where I live. After reading stories here plus reputable sites on the Internet, if I do get a cancer diagnosis, I am going to go to the closest cancer center to me. My city doesn't seem to have the specialists for this type of problem.
Again, my thanks for the advice and support. This has really thrown me for a loop.
Met with oral surgeon today. He asked lots of questions and had a very proactive approach. Went ahead with biopsy which was not too bad. Specimen will be sent out of town for pathology. Results in 7 -10 days.
If it does prove to be cancer, how does one connect with a major cancer center? Does the surgeon refer me or do I simply call and set it up myself?
I'll explore more on this site, but advice would be welcome. Thanks in advance.
Alot depends on your insurance situation. Some companies need referrals while others done. Some hospitals are in network and others are out of network. Also a second opinion at another top cancer center is always a good idea. But lets not get ahead of ourselves quite yet, lets just see what the biopsy says.
Glad you went ahead and did the biopsy! Now comes the hard part, playing the waiting game. Try to stay busy so you dont worry. At least by doing the biopsy you will know for sure what you are dealing with and can take care of it.
Good luck!!!
So glad you got the biopsy! Christine is right it depends on insurance look into it now that way you are prepared. Hopefully you won't have to. Hugs and best of luck!
I have been waiting for a call to get the results of my biopsy or move up my appointment, supposed to be 7 to 10 days, but no call. Have appointment on Thursday the 28th late afternoon which puts it at 14 days. Is this normal? I'm having trouble sleeping and it is not far from my thoughts no matter what I am doing. I've read quite a bit here to educate myself and I am not a smoker or drinker. Trying to get through this stressful time.
A biopsy usually will take about a week to get the results. Usually doctors will give the results in person rather than over the phone.
Can you call and try to move up your appointment? Ask about any cancellations for the day. If you can move it up that would help to calm your nerves. I know waiting is hard but its only a couple more days.
Im hoping for good results. Best wishes!!!
Returned from oral surgeon moments ago. Results of biopsy for the spot that was removed from the underside of my tongue are "mild epithelial dysplasia". It went on to say that margins are clear. Instructions are to do a self exam weekly, continue regular dental visits, and have a 3 month return visit. If there is any change, call immediately for an appointment. I'm very relieved.
Thanks to everyone who provided information and support. This is a fantastic site with such compassionate people. I was ignorant about OC and have learned a great deal in a short period of time.
Excellent!!! So glad you do not have oral cancer!!!!
Ohhhh - I'm SO happy for your great news!! Enjoy and celebrate!
That's awesome!!!
W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L! This is the kind of message we all love to read on the Forum. Congratulations.
julieann
Fantastic news that the biopsy came back negative for cancer. I know how relieved you must be
Your biopsy result is similar to mine �Epithelial Dysplasia�. Make sure you keep your appointments and regular dental visits.
I have one next week with my ENT, Head & Neck Surgeon and this is after 6 years as it still needs to be watched.
I am thinking another biopsy is on my cards which does not thrill me but I will do it if it is recommended.
Gabriele
Thank you all for the good wishes. This site and the kind and helpful people here have gotten me through this rough patch.
Gabe, I certainly will keep up with the self exams, dental visits, and appointments. Your dysplasia has the word hyperkeratosis in front of it. What does that mean?
I wanted to update my situation in hopes that it may be helpful to someone who develops a spot under their tongue. Have been doing weekly visual inspections for over a year and all is well. Dental visits have been normal. I returned to the oral surgeon in June 2013 for a follow up and then in February 2014. Doctor released me and said he saw no reason to return. He encouraged me to continue to visit my dentist twice a year and do a self exam every week for the rest of my life. If I notice any changes, I should call him ASAP. It still puzzles me that I developed this spot since I had no risk factors.I feel very blessed and am grateful for the support and information I received from the wonderful people on this site. Thank you!!
so glad you are doing well. My advice is to see him annually and do whatever else he says. sometimes this kind of thing can go unnoticed - better to have another set of eyes look occasionally. hugs and blessings to you.
Thanks for returning and posting. This will give others hope! Best wishes for continued good health.
I know it's counter-intuitive, but I suggest that you put your mind into a neutral state with regard to the news. I always suggest that you avoid attaching to any particular outcome. The news is always going to be what it is, and if you are not attached to any particular outcome, the good news will be still be good news, but if the outcome is bad news, you will have been spared the agony of anticipation.
And frankly, the fear of the bad news is almost always quite a bit worse than the actual outcome itself.
Fear (or it's flip side, Hope) tends to program one to secretly expect one outcome. Avoiding both does not change the outcome, but it does prevent a lot of suffering when the outcome is not the one you attach to.
And finally, reality is always going to be reality, it's almost never as bad as your fears, and it's almost never as good as your ideal of it might be. It is what it is.
I am revisiting this site after three years. Originally, my dentist discovered a white spot on the underside of my tongue. It was removed and biopsied and the result was mild epithelial dysplasia. I have continued to perform weekly self exams. I visited my dentist on 2-2-16 and he did a full exam, but did not notice anything unusual. On 2-24-16, during my weekly self-exam, I noticed a very small white spot on the gum below my front teeth. I was away for a three week trip and called the oral surgeon upon my return. He could not believe I discovered the spot as it is very small and suggested we wait a month before removal. I returned yesterday and had it removed and sent for a biopsy.
What I am wondering is if this is a common occurrence? I am in good health, non-smoker, non-drinker, age 61. I don't have any risk factors of which I am aware. Any suggestions or comments are welcome. Thanks in advance.
Posting in hopes this may be helpful to someone. Biopsy came back as Hyperparakeratosis which to my understanding is like a thickening of the gum or is like a callus. Surgeon suggested that I continue yearly exams by dentist and weekly self exams. Return to him if I have any sores that do not heal after three weeks. Thanks again for the great information and support.
Thanks for coming back to update what your results were. Congrats on being fortunate enough to not need our group!!!! You are one lucky lady!!!