Hi All,

I had a painful sore on the left side of my tongue since the beginning of April. I saw my regular doc about the 3rd week of April because I had what turned out to be a nasty respiratory virus. I mentioned the sore to her and she said, yeah, yeah, it's a cold sore. It'll go away. Without looking at it. I had a scheduled dental appt in May and my dentist confirmed what I knew--not a cold sore.

Dentist wanted me to see a periodontist for some issues and thought the peri could also evaluate the sore. Unfortunately, the peri's office was closed for a month. I made another appt with my regular doctor but she wasn't in. Her nurse tried to find someone to get me in for a biopsy. I finally ended up calling my insurance company to get help finding a participating oral surgeon.

I saw her on Monday (6/22). She didn't even talk about trying anything or wait and see. She took the sore and surrounding tissue and also some tissue from inside cheek on the right side. I have a follow up appt. 7/13.

I've been reading here for a bit. I wasn't planning on joining unless, well, the results put me here. But, this morning, while brushing my teeth the best I can, I thought I noticed some swelling under my chin. I talked myself out of it really being anything. When my daughter came home from work tonight, she asked why I was swelling up.

I'll call my oral surgeon in the morning but any guesses on why under my chin is swelling up? It's not hard or lumpy, just puffy.

The rule around here goes like this... Any sore you have in your mouth for over 2 weeks that does not heal on its own, needs to be checked by a professional. I suggest seeking out an ENT who specializes in oral cancer patients. Too often an oral surgeon will simply remove the area (without regard to getting wide margins) then biopsy it only to find out it was cancerous and now further surgery is necessary. A biopsy can be done by an ENT or oral surgeon, not all dentists will do biopsies.

Hopefully its nothing serious and you wont need our site. We are here if you do and will gladly help you thru this.

Best wishes!

Firstly do not wait two weeks for the results. Call daily until they have them.... And swelling may be an up infection as long as it's not firm then it may just need antibiotics go back and see your ENT... Hugs

I just called the office and asked if my results were in. "Uh, yeah." And then "Can I put you on hold for a minute?" She came back and said the doctor isn't in this week. I asked, "You can't tell me?" She asked for my number and said someone would let me know when doctor is back. So. They really can't tell me without her? Or it's not good news. Waiting sucks.

You're right! Waiting sucks. You have great advice above. There could be a lot of reasons that you are having to wait. Once when my son and I were waiting for results for him and it was taking way longer that it should - was only because of his hospital had to get results from a different hospital. So keep calling, find out if there is an ENT there who specializes in Oral Cancer. It's probably not anything serious but you should let them know how stressful the waiting is. Cry a little if you have to. If there is a website for the hospital the doctor is associated with, you could look up information about the doctor or who has Oral Cancer as a specialty. Let us know what happens.

Waiting is the worst!

Many physicians have a policy of not giving test results over the phone, good or bad it doesnt matter. Try keeping very busy to help pass the time.

Good luck!!!

My oral surgeon called this morning. The tissue removed from my cheek was a fibroma and the sore of my tongue was an ulcer. No HPV, no cancer, no dysplasia. I still have an appt on 7/13 for her to check my healing but it's going well.

Thank you all for keeping me company while I waited. I have learned so much in reading your stories and will pass on your message of early detection. Best wishes to all of you. I'm so sorry you have to fight and live with this.

Great news Shannon.
Thanks for spreading the word.
Tammy

Great news Shannon! Be well!!