Hi. I have scc of the oral tongue. I'm between diagnosis and consultation for treatment. My tongue feels tethered to my mouth as if a rubber band were holding it back when I try to stick it out. This is esp worse in the morning. It even interferes with my speech. I can extend my tongue out and stretch it or loosen it so to speak in the morning and limber it up. It is slightly uncomfortable when I do this but not terrible. I've looked in the mirror as I do this stretching and blood will ooze out of the tumor as if the tumor is a sponge and it just leaks out of the holes. NOt a lot but enough My question is has this happened to anyone else and also do you think that maybe it is a bad idea to stretch out my tongue this way in the mornings so as to have better movement and speech. I have not done it the past 2 days and my tongue is really getting stiff. I am worried about loosening up stray cancer cells and about the bleeding may encourage cells to spread faster. I dont even know if this is viable; that stretching the tongue would loosen the cells. I would also like to know if your tumors on the tongue bled easily, if this is common. I understand that no one on here is a doctor but just curious about your experiences. Thank you!

Monica, thats one I think you should check with the doc about. If what you are doing is causing your tongue to bleed then I dont think its the best thing to do. Im the kind of person who always errs on the side of caution. Please be careful if you continue to the stretches.

There could be some members who have gone thru something similar as what you are experiencing. They may have some different input.



PS.... I just noticed you are in TN. If you are anywhere near Chattanooga, in April there will be an OCF oral cancer awareness walk. I will be there speaking. The walks are a great place to connect with other patients

As suggested, I would not do anything to irritate your tongue, manipulate it, cause further injury, bleeding, and possibly spread. I was always checking my tumorous lymph node for change, and was told to leave it alone.

Good luck with your appointment on Wednesday.

Agreed with both comments above. Your tongue in that area is likely swollen related to the biopsy and the tumor. Plus it will likely not heal properly until surgery assuming that is the next step - which is normal for this kind of cancer. Please see that you are treated at a ccc ifossibke. This cancer can be aggressive do what you can now to stop it now - welcome - sorry you have to be here. And best if luck.

As others have already said....stop messing with your tongue.
You don't want to make things worse....plus, you need to leave it alone so it can heal from the biopsy.

Definitely ask your doc about it at your appt.

Welcome and good luck to you.