Hi Everyone,
I'm a newbie.
Had a biopsy done 2 weeks ago for a white spot on my tongue. The Oral Surgeon kind of pooh poohed it away. "Mild Dysplasia, squamous type, come back to be checked in 6 months".

Today I had a consult with my dentist, who gave me a copy of the biopsy report:

"Soft tissue, left lateral border of tongue biopsy: Multifocal Epithelial Dysplasia, Mild Extending to margins"

There is more detail in the report and I could post it if need be.

Does anyone understand this? I know I could google it but I am so stressed right now. My dentist wants me to see the oral surgeon in 3 months for another check.

I am a 57 year old female, used to smoke back in college, do not drink, needs to eat more fruits and veggies.

Thank you.

Diane!

This stuff is stressful my dear, that's why we are here to help guide you through the bullsh!t. Oops, sorry, I'm from N. Idaho and we don't have what you call "social graces" so I hope I don't offend!

My advice is this. Dentists are the first line of defense in "finding" oral cancer. Oral Surgeons are to me "super dentists" that spend most of their time with dental implants and cosmetic procedures. Ear Nose & Throat surgeons are the experts in Oral Cancer and precancerous conditions my dear.

If I were you I'd get my happy behind to an Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon and get his opinion. The best advice anyone can give you is to get the best medical advice available to you. In this case as it sounds like it could be a precancerous condition I'd say get it checked by the experts in the field. I'd also have them test the area for HPV as it's the #1 cause of Oral Cancer nowadays and 80% of women will have contracted a strain before the age of 60. Knowledge is power.

Hope this helps! Keep your chin up and keep plugging into these boards for support!

Eric

Hi Diane, it means you don�t have cancer but you have somehing like "pre-cancer". I don�t want to scare you but my biopsy had EXACTLY the same result and I was really resilient. After 2 docts I was sent to a specialist (Dr. Kowalski) that decided to make surgery.

So on the surgery table, trhough frozen biopsy I was diagnosed with cancer while I was sleeping. I slept cancer free, had cancer and woke up cancer free again, because they finally removed.

So, you should follow-up as soon as you can with a great doctor. But be sure you have a great condition because it seems to not be cancer.

I wish you really good luck and come here again to tell us everything is ok

Diane, dysplasia does NOT always turn into cancer. Im sure you are both confused and also upset by the results. I have responded to your other post as well. You are very fortunate that your biopsy came back with such good results. Low grade dysplasia has a very small chance of ever progressing into being cancerous. It also does not resolve itself. Many times dysplasia is surgically removed.

Thank you all for your quick replies! I have an appointment next week for my yearly physical and will ask my doctor for a referral to an ENT.

My doctor called the oral surgeon who told her he "got it all". I sure hope he did because the thought of any of it still on my tongue is scary.

You have all been through so much and I so value your input. Thank you a million times over. I will be sure to post what the ENT doc says to me.

Hi Diane,
As you can see in my signature my biopsy in January came up with Hyperkeratosis-Epithelial Dysplasia.
Like your biopsy mine always have a lot of other medical terminology however it is not always a good idea to google for answers.
I am not worrying too much and will have another check in 4 months as I have been having for the last 5+ years.
If you are concerned I would certainly get that referral and get it checked. There is no substitute for peace of mind.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Gabriele