Wednesday biospy？

I know I should go to see the dentist earlier to have the red patch checked. I noticed it for two to three months at that time my mom just been diagnosed with breast cancer. I was so depressed that I just ignored it. In April I went to see my dentist to have this check and she said it is nothing serious. I feeled relieve at that time but still concerned. One day I googled something online and noticed there is oral I'd to screen oral cancer. So I went to see that dentist and she used oral id to check the patch and it did show some abnormality. She thought it was caused by irration of the retainer. But two weeks later it is still red. She referred me to see an oral surgeon for biospy. It is next Wednesday. Should I also go to see an ent？ Because I also feeled a pea sea lymp node on the side of my neck . I am so scared that the cancer is already spreaded to the lymph node. I should be able to get an appointment before the biospy. The dentist said the oral id can not tell the benign tumor from malignant.

Let me explain about Oral ID. This is a device that identifies any abnormality in a patients mouth. Thats all it does, is light up to point out different tissue that MIGHT be cancer or some other mouth sore. There are many, many things it could be besides cancer. This is something you should remember to always do... Any time you have a sore or spot in your mouth that does not heal on its own within 2-3 weeks needs to be checked by a professional. By a professional I mean an ENT who specializes in treating oral cancer patients (NOT the type of ENT who puts tubes in kids ears).

A dentist doesnt usually do much to diagnose oral cancer. They often are focused only on the patients teeth, not seeing anything else. The best place to go as I mentioned before is the OC specializing ENT. An oral surgeon might be able to help if you find the right type. You dont want someone who primarily pulls wisdom teeth or treats TMJ patients. Same as the ENT... you need someone who specializes in treating oral cancer patients. With oral surgeons... they cut as all surgeons recommend and do. Once its removed, you can never put it back and start over. The tissue is then sent to the lab to determine what it is. If it would be cancer you may need additional surgery or radiation to ensure not one teeny tiny cell was missed. Maybe having a diagnosis of what it is before surgery would be a good idea. Theres a fine needle biopsy that could be done without anyone removing something they dont have no idea what it is.

All of this in no way means I think you do have cancer so please dont think too far into what Im saying. To me it sounds like something isnt right but the node may or may not be related. An enlarged node could simply mean you have some sort of infection causing it to swell. Its doubtful you can get an appointment with the type of ENT you need in only one week. OC ENTs are often booked up for weeks, even months ahead. Even if you are put on the "cancellation list" it could be a month before you can get in. Even if it would be cancer (key word ... IF) and the node is also affected, this does not necessarily mean you cant be completely cured and go on to live a wonderful long, happy, healthy life. Today, cancer can be survivable and eliminated.

If you smoke, vape, chew, drink alcohol or use mouthwash with alcohol in it.... stop using those things immediately! If what you have going on is a result from some kind of external chemicals then by eliminating the contact with the chemicals should allow your mouth time to heal. If your mouth does heal then you may want to see your family doc to see if the node is a result of some sort of infection. Never know! Just make sure you find out exactly whats going on with your mouth and the node and if they are related.

I hope all this info is useful and able to help you. Please keep us posted and updated with your progress. hopefully what you have going on is nothing serious. Good luck!!!!

Thank you Christine.The ENT I saw before for a pea size lymph node at the collar bone is a head and cancer ENT at mass ear and eye. I remembered last time I got the appointment in two days. But I am not sure if he can do the biospy on the floor of mouth. He seems more specialized in nose and throat. I want to kick myself for ignoring this for months. The patch I have is on the floor of mouth closed to my molar and it is more red than the other area .it looks like a skin flap ,but my other side doesn't have the same skin flap.I am a 44years old female,never smoke , occasional wine drinker.What I am afraid most is that I cannot see my four years old daughter grow up. I am going to stick with the oral surgeon appointment.The receptionist suggest me to call everyday to see if there is any cancellation.

Ok, yes the ENT should be able to help you. It sounds like your ENT is the correct type, but is your oral surgeon? I would definitely see the ENT before allowing the oral surgeon to go in and remove it while also sending it out to the lab to determine what you have. You want to ensure whoever you select to do the biopsy is very, very familiar with the procedure and treating OC patients.

Try not to get too far ahead of yourself. As of right this minute, you have not been diagnosed with anything so as far as you or anyone else knows you are cancer free. Dont borrow trouble from tomorrow is a saying I heard a long time ago and it certainly seems appropriate in your circumstances. Take it one day and one step at a time. By focusing on the "what if's" that will only add unneeded stress which makes everything in your life more difficult. Staying busy will help pass the time until you know what you are dealing with. Having an active 4 year old, Im sure you can find many things to focus on. Go out with your child and have fun, make memories by trying new things together. It could be a few weeks before you know what the spot is. Once you find out what you have then you can take steps to fix whatever you have going on. Hopefully you will not have anything too serious and you wont need our group. But if (... and thats a huge IF!) it would be cancer then you are in the very best place to get extra help and support to get you thru anything that you need a hand with. We're here to help

Thank you Christine. I just made an appointment to see the head and neck cancer ENT. He will see me Friday morning. The last time I saw him for the swollen lymph node he ordered a CT.

Boy are you lucky to get such a quick appointment. Thats excellent!!! Keep us posted on how you make out.

The receptionist was so nice. There is no opening available but she let me come in the early morning so the doctor can see me.

Can CT detect oral cancer? I think the Dr will order a CT at tomorrow's appointment just like the last time I feeled a pea size lymph node around the collar bone.

Yes, it will diagnose cancer.

Thank you gmcraft! I lost some sleep during this week. I waste 3 months not doing anything. How fast will a malignant tumor grow? Mine is still the same as when I noticed it three months ago.

Everyone is different. Some patients can remain stable for a couple years while others have the cancer grow very quickly in a short amount of time. Remember as of right now, you are ok so do your very best to avoid becoming so stressed out you cant sleep. I do understand what you're going thru, I went thru it too and its not fun at all. Stress on patients is not good, it makes everything so much harder than it has to be.

Hang in there!!!

I also felt swollen lymph nodes before my CT, but when I got the results back they were clean. Christine is such a help. She has calmed my nerves and helped me to think straight. Good Luck Princesstwinkle, love the handle, by the way. I'm rooting for you! Just had my 2nd tumor removal in 1 week, and im still up and about, not talking, but still laughing and living.

Also, I too...waited far too long to see someone...It was October last year. I was worried, but didnt have money. No insurance. So stupid me...I wanted to get cancer policies just in case, so I did and waited another month for them to take effect. Then I decided to see the Doctor, and it was Cancer...I should not have waited so long. It has only been 17 days since I found out. Im already 2 surgeries in. I dont know how aggressive the Cancer is, but luckily I found a doc that is taking things serious and wants to do them quickly. He says since I waited so long, he doesn't want it to get any worse. Im praying for you. All these people are here for you.

Thank you very much! Really nervous about tomorrow appointment. Don't know what will happen. Try to get some sleep tonight.