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Joined: Jan 2013
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I am a 58 year old female in fairly good health. A couple weeks ago during a regular dental exam the dentist noticed a small, white sore under my tongue. He thought it might be from a rough edge on a crown that caused a callous. He smoothed down the area and asked me to return for a follow-up if the sore did not go away. It has been two weeks and it has not changed. I've done some Internet research which led me here. There is no pain involved. The sore is on the underside edge of the tongue about 3 teeth from the back. It is white in color and on the small side. The dentist will refer me to an oral surgeon for a biopsy when I see him on the 10th. I should add that I had endometrial cancer a little over 2 years ago with surgery being the only treatment since it was stage 1a. All my follow-ups have been good. Any thoughts, suggestions, advice would be welcome. Thanks in advance.


White sore underneath tongue, mild epithelial dysplasia, 2-13
Hyperparakeratosis 5-16
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Hi - Glad you found us here! It's the best place to be for the latest, most accurate information. Sounds like your dentist is really on top of things. It may just be nothing at all, but the only way to tell for sure is with a biopsy. If you haven't already, you could go to the main page upper left and click on "Oral Cancer Foundation" you will see several links that will give you information on dental issues or diagnosis and find out about several different types of biopsies. That way, you might think of some questions you have for the doctor or for us here. Hope it turns out to be nothing serious. Let us know what happens.


Anne-Marie
CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)



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Welcome to OCF!

Any sore that you have in your mouth for 2 weeks or longer and it doesnt heal should be checked by a professional. I would suggest seeing an ENT who specializes with oral cancer. An ENT is the physician who most of us see for our check ups after battling OC. My ENT has done a few biopsies for me, but not all ENTs will do an biopsy.

Good luck!!! Hope you wont need to join our ranks an OC survivor.


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
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Thank you ladies for the quick responses and welcomes. I've learned some very valuable information which brings up another question. Should I see an oral surgeon or an ENT specialist? What would be the advantages of one over the other? I'm sure I'll have to have a biopsy and I've read about the different types and how each procedure is done. Is there any information that anyone can offer about which type to have?Thanks so much for sharing. wink


White sore underneath tongue, mild epithelial dysplasia, 2-13
Hyperparakeratosis 5-16
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"OCF Canuck"
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Both can do a biopsy, but only one can treat you if it turns out to be scc. I would choose a top ENT, who is very familiar with oral cancer (not all are) what way if you do get bad new (which I hope you don't) you are already whee you need to be. Best of luck


Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
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Thank you for your wise words.

My dentist is sending me to an oral surgeon who will do a biopsy in his office on Thursday. I asked about an ENT cancer specialist, but we do not have one where I live. After reading stories here plus reputable sites on the Internet, if I do get a cancer diagnosis, I am going to go to the closest cancer center to me. My city doesn't seem to have the specialists for this type of problem.

Again, my thanks for the advice and support. This has really thrown me for a loop.


White sore underneath tongue, mild epithelial dysplasia, 2-13
Hyperparakeratosis 5-16
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10
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Met with oral surgeon today. He asked lots of questions and had a very proactive approach. Went ahead with biopsy which was not too bad. Specimen will be sent out of town for pathology. Results in 7 -10 days.

If it does prove to be cancer, how does one connect with a major cancer center? Does the surgeon refer me or do I simply call and set it up myself?
I'll explore more on this site, but advice would be welcome. Thanks in advance.


White sore underneath tongue, mild epithelial dysplasia, 2-13
Hyperparakeratosis 5-16
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
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Alot depends on your insurance situation. Some companies need referrals while others done. Some hospitals are in network and others are out of network. Also a second opinion at another top cancer center is always a good idea. But lets not get ahead of ourselves quite yet, lets just see what the biopsy says.

Glad you went ahead and did the biopsy! Now comes the hard part, playing the waiting game. Try to stay busy so you dont worry. At least by doing the biopsy you will know for sure what you are dealing with and can take care of it.

Good luck!!!


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 3
"OCF Canuck"
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So glad you got the biopsy! Christine is right it depends on insurance look into it now that way you are prepared. Hopefully you won't have to. Hugs and best of luck!


Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
Joined: Jan 2013
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I have been waiting for a call to get the results of my biopsy or move up my appointment, supposed to be 7 to 10 days, but no call. Have appointment on Thursday the 28th late afternoon which puts it at 14 days. Is this normal? I'm having trouble sleeping and it is not far from my thoughts no matter what I am doing. I've read quite a bit here to educate myself and I am not a smoker or drinker. Trying to get through this stressful time.


White sore underneath tongue, mild epithelial dysplasia, 2-13
Hyperparakeratosis 5-16
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