Going to have a biopsy done. Have to wait over a month to see the ent Dr. From what I read time is important. Got a spot on my tongue it's been there for 6 mo or more. My ear has a constant pain in it. My neck and shoulder are hurting. I have smoked for most my life and use to drink like a fish and I'm 42 yrs old. Was just wondering does this sound like what has happen to anybody

This is very common symptomology - what country are you in... Most results take 2 weeks so it if takes a month to get into an ENT then it will be 6 weeks for you to get a definitive answer. My advice - call the ENT ask to bee put on a writing list. Call daily if you have to and / or talk to your GP and ask if it is possible her or she refer you to someone who can get you in earlier. Time is of the essence best of luck

Dbmatt, welcome to OCF. Im hoping your sore turns out to be nothing serious.

The ENT you are waiting to see hopefully specializes in oral cancer. This is the kind of doc who is most familiar with patients who come in with your symptoms. I suggest calling to try to move your appointment up, ask to be put on the cancellation list so if someone cancels you can take their slot.

Usually its a 3 appointment gig. First appointment the doc will get your history, give you an exam and discuss what comes next with options for how the biopsy is done (if necessary). You can do it by being asleep, a local shot like what the dentist does for a filling or doing it without anything. Biopsy results in the US usually take one week. That would be your second appointment and the 3rd on would be to get your test results. So yes, it will take several weeks even if you can move up your initial appointment.

Symptoms of oral cancer are having a sore in your mouth for over 2 weeks that has not healed, ear aches, sore throat, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, sometimes patients experience pain and some patients dont. Your sore could be any number of things besides oral cancer. Best to get yourself checked out by a professional to find out whats going on and how to fix it.

If you are still smoking.... QUIT NOW! I know its not easy, Im a former smoker myself. I quit cold turkey after being diagnosed with OC. It took me a while for it to sink in that I was sick and it was from my smoking habit. Once it finally sunk in, I quit immediately and have not used tobacco ever since. For the sake of your overall health, quitting is a good idea no matter what the mouth sore is. There are so many known cancer causing additives in tobacco, if you quit now then your tongue will have a chance to heal without interference from all those chemicals.

Best wishes!

I live I N W Arkansas. Can't believe that it's going to take this long. Also notice some white spots under side of tongue.

My symptoms include the following. I have a white spot on the tip of my tongue. It has been there for at least 6 mo. It's about the size of a pencil eraser. I thought I bit it and was going a way. It does hurt when I hit against my denture. I also noticed some other white spots on the under side of my tongue and on my lower jaw bone. Thought the ones on my jaw bone were from the bone graph that was done for my dental implants. I have ear aches for the past couple of months. Head aches and neck and shoulder pain. Thought my sore throat was drainage from my sinus. Feels like I'm trying to swallow something when I am not. I'm 42 have smoked since I was 12. Used to drink a lot. Can't believe I'm talking about having cancer. Lost my insurance. Can't afford any of this. What to do? Thanks to all of you!!!

As I suggested earlier, call the ENT and ask to have your appointment moved up. Ask to be placed on the cancellation list or maybe call every couple days and check in to see if anyone cancelled their appointment and if you can take that spot. if there are other qualified ENTs in your area, maybe try to call another one to get an earlier appointment???

You said the sore has been there for a good 6 months, a few more days/weeks wont make a major difference. Of course that doesnt mean to put it off, try to get in as soon as you are able to.


Good luck!!!

PS... Do yourself a big favor and let this be a wake up call to eliminate tobacco from your lifestyle. If it would be cancer, you want to give your body the best possible chance to beat it. By stopping smoking now it will hopefully give your mouth sores a chance to heal. I hope they will heal on their own and disappear. At least its worth a shot.

Went to the E N T Dr. Last week. Got some good news and some not so good news. My throat and vocal cords look good. I'm scheduled to have a biopsy for the spot on my tongue later this month. The dr says it could be as simple as a viral thing or could be cancer. She wouldn't say what she thought. She got done and asked if I had any questions and I said no. I just went blank for a bit. So a few days later I called back to ask why does my ear hurt all the time. Could be a number of things cause my ears looked good. They want to check my thyroid. My whole right side from my head to my middle of back are always hurting. I haven't quit smoking completely yet but I'm getting close. Just want say thanks to this site for all the love, support and information.

Okay Dbm, you've taken a terrific first step. The first rule is that it isn't cancer until the biopsy proves it. So as difficult as it may be not to worry (actually I always find it impossible!) you have that salient fact going for you.

I find that as I get older, and I'm nearly 20 years older than you are so I've got lots more of 'em, I have all kinds of aches and pains. And thinking about them just seems to make them feel worse. Checking the thyroid is a good idea, glad they're on that.

Please keep us posted on your progress. Or just come on here and ask questions and vent. That's why we're here.

My best to you.

I wouldn't wait for a biopsy. If there is an area of concern, push to have it done asap, because the results can take up to 14 days... (usually 10-14) that puts you almost a month away from now. Do try to quit. hugs.