Hi, it is human tendency to ignore symptoms in hope that it will go away but unfortunately, cancer is unforgiving and agressive disease. Time is very crucial and longer you wait, you allow it to spread to lymphnode, bloodstream and other organs without you knowing.

Statically, it has been seen that patients arrive at cancer hospital when the disease has already progressed. And, tt has also been seen that early stages responds well to treatment.

Given the lifestyle and growing incidence of cancer, it may be prudent to suspect cancer if several days or months of treatment does not cure your illness or symptoms.

I am happy that you have not ignored it, even though it may be some form of infection. Since you are in UK, you have an option to get that opinion at one of the world's best cancer care center - Royal Marsden, London or Surrey. Why don't you use your privilege?

All the best and not to worry.

Hi thank you all for the advice.

I have been wondering about whether I am going mad about this because everyone that I ask says my tongue looks normal and the doctors says it looks normal. The CT scan came back clean, there are no lesions or anything but it is my tongue and I know that it is enlarged. The muscle on the floor of my mouth is often tired because have to retract my tongue to fit it behind my teeth when I close it. I am very sure that my tongue is enlarged, I only have trouble getting the doctors to acknowledge so.

Should I push for a biopsy? I have suggested it to one doctor but he said he would not know which part of the mouth to sample because there are no visible lesions.

And what are you guys' opinions on the effect of garlic against cancer? allicin seems to slow down and kill cancer cells and anecdotes I found on forums seem to suggest that they do work.

EDIT: I am going for a food allergy test tml to see if the swollen tongue is due to an allergy, as proposed by the doctor.

It is possible your tongue is swollen due to allergies, and gourmet dr is right you need to have an area to biopsy because a biopsy is only as good as the area it's taken from. So palate your tongue do you feel any thickened areas - like an area that's more solid. For years I had pain and redness but no lesion thou I could feel what was a tumor inside the tongue. Good luck hoping it's nothing!

Go for the second opinion and a 3rd if needed. Is there a CCC near you?

hi all, the allergy tests came back positive for wheat, mushrooms, malt, yeast, rice and cocoa. I was told to abstain from them for about a year and that really means a huge change in diet for me as rice is my staple food and I have to cut down on bread and biscuits from now on.

unfortunately jim there isnt a ccc near me, I have been looking up hospitals for cancer tests.

so i am going to meet the oral specialist again later and see what I can do.

it is pure horror at the moment for me, I am really lost.

Keep pushing, I thought my issue was allergy related too... Had tests as well am allergic to a lot of foods but it was cancer so just be careful, bu do change your diet to see if there's any difference. good luck!

hey cheryl thank you for ur reply.

what were your early symptoms? are you all cleared now?

the specialist said he is quite confident that it will clear up because he had seen many patients before, and there was one case that looked exactly like mine. I hope he's not giving me false hopes or anything but I am really looking forward to getting better.

Holy cow, rice and wheat??? I guess I should look up some barley and oat recipies for you. I will be making a barley soup for my husband this weekend - I will post it for you if it tastes good.

Definitely drop the foods see what happens. The entire underside of my tongue on the left side was sore and red I didn't have a lesion until much later.

I was allergic to garlic, chocolate, dairy, mixed flour, and pepper. I dropped them and it didn't help. So far I'm clear and hoping it says that way! I sincerely hope your specialist is right!!!

ok i'll drop the food and see how it goes. he expects symptoms to improve in 2 months if I do so fingers crossed.

anw here's a pic of my tongue, just to illustrate the swelling.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/339/p7120307.jpg/