Hi all, first of all I just want to say that I am thankful that such a forum exists that allows us to come together and give each other support. I am really humbled by the courage shown by the members here and I realise I really have alot of ball-growing to do.

I hope there is someone who can help me. I have been to several doctors regarding my swollen tongue, which I have had for months already but the doctors were unable to help, some of them dismissive even. I have had a CT scan to check on it but it came back clean. I also want to highlight that I've had a long-running infected wisdom tooth that I've finally taken out this April. I thought that might have been the cause of the swollen tongue but nothing has changed. In fact, I might say that it has gotten worst.

I've googled for all sorts of possible causes, blocked salivary glands, vitamin b deficiency, oral infection... I fear that it could be something much more serious. At the moment, I am thinking about seeking second opinion but I want to ask what do you guys think? could this be an early symptom of something far serious?

thank you

Go for a second opinion! Drs. Are not the end all and be all - they do make mistakes - because you are 20 they can be dismissive if oral cancer because historically it's a smokers and drinkers diagnosis and usually found in men over 40 - we have several young people here now and the face of oral cancer is changing! There are a few women here from 20 on up who do not smoke, don't or rarely drink and are HPV - (HPV + is associated with some tonsil, and base of cancers) so theres a new generation.

Do you have a sore anywhere on it? Ct scans don't always pick up microscopic cancers, and the results are only as good as the radiologist reading Them. So get a second opinion and keep pushing until you get an answer. It's likely not cancer but maybe related to your infection... Perhaps it never healed properly? But just to be on the safe side.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

Hey mate,

I was also 20 when I should have been diagnosed. I went to the doctors 3 or 4 times over a period of months before i was sent for a biopsy. But I had an 'ulcer' or a 'sore' on my tongue. By the sounds of yours you don't, and if your Ct came back clear that's a good sign. If it is something it's still microscopic, but there's a chance it's nothing. My first pet scan showed activity in my tongue and some of my glands in my neck. I'd definitely get the second opinion if you're worried.

Good luck!

Dave

hi all.

i ignored my condition for quite a while but today after some self-exam i realise my oropharnyx and 3/4 of my tongue is numb. I can't even feel my swallow anymore. My tongue is deformed when stiff them up. I probably will check myself into the hospital soon.

I am only 20 years old and I am absolutely distraught

I understand your worry completely! Get looked at by a ccc (comprehensive cancer center) and do not give up until you get a definitive answer !

If you don't have a ccc in the uk or near you, maybe start with a ENT or Oral surgeon, or dentist if you need to get the referral to the ENT or Oral surgeon.
When My cancer showed up, it was super painful, but I am not saying it can't have a numbing effect, depending on where it is, it may have that. Just make sure you get checked out. best of luck!

hi all. thank you for the advice. I am absolutely in shock at the moment but I will head to the dentist later. I have been thinking about my dreams and aspirations and I can't believe that it may all just be over.

I think I've had a good run, I've always treated people with politness and sincerity but I will always regret the petty issues that led me to fall out with one or two of my friends. And the lifetime regret that I never got to ask my first crush out.

I thank all of you for the good lucks and advice, reading through the forums I realise we all have so much living to do, so much life to fight for. It's a truly wonderful thing to be alive. I ignored a white-ish irregular ulcer on my tongue last year, little did i know that it would come to this.

I am really shattered, I think I could be crumbling I don't know but I will let you guys know what happens. Thank you for reading and I will be hoping the best for you guys as well, and really glad to see the clear pet scans at your signatures, it gives me hope.

Please don't sound like it's over. It's not ... You're young, you're - for the most part - healthy you can fight this. Do not let the Drs blow you off, though, this cancer can be aggressive, fight it aggressively. there are a few people your age here so it can happen. I'm not saying it's cancer - it could be something else, but you need to know for sure ASAP.

And if you give up before you start you'll get nowhere. Please go see an ENT dr. Immediately. Hugs!

It is NOT over. And it's not cancer until a biopsy says it is. Good advice above. You and your health are important so do get yourself to an ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) or Oral surgeon. THe sooner you get yourself into the fight mode, the sooner you will start feeling better. Tell the doctor or doctor's office that it is very important and that you want an appointment as soon as possible. Don't let them put you off. My son put things off way too long, but he's fine now and doing great!

Yes, get it checked out, and ask if they can fit you in. Have an older relative call for you if you get put off by the appoinment scheduler.

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/

That looks like mine right now... Tongue swelling is a symptom of allergies - try the diet first but if things don't improve in two mo th or get worse before hand go back. Some Drs are blinded by the fact you're young just keep a Boise eye on it. Hugs - hope the allergen free diet works!