| | Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 5 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 5 | A year ago August had a partial glossectomy and neck dissection. The nodes came back clear so I've been seeing my Dr every two months. No chemo or radiation was done.
The last couple of days I've had a sore spot on the side of my tongue, but on the opposite side. I couldn't really see anything, but I caught sight of a white bump/lump waaaaaay in the back on my tongue, again on the other side of my previous cancer. I looked again this morning and it's still there and I have no idea how long it's been there. Like I said, it's way in the back and very difficult to see (at least for me). It's right where the tongue meets the way back of the throat.
The thing is, I was just at my Dr this week and it wasn't mentioned. Not even sure he saw it actually. Should I just keep an eye on it and call the Dr if it doesn't go away? I feel kind of stupid to call about it since I was just there.
Thoughts?
June 2015 - Biopsy of lesion of left side of the tongue
June 2015 - Confirmed SSC
August 2015 - partial glossectomy and left neck dissection
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 756 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 756 Likes: 1 | Cathy,
As you can see by my signature below, I've been dealing with oral cancer since 2005, had a recurrence in 2010, and dysplasia in 2011 - all the same area as my original tumor. Over the years I've had a few sore spots pop up on my tongue (both sides), and for the most part they resolved themselves within a week.
The general rule is if the sore is there for 2 weeks or more to have it checked out. For now I would keep an eye on it - take a good look in your mouth with a flashlight, perhaps take a picture or have someone else take a look, so you can watch for changes (getting bigger or smaller, color, etc.).
If it doesn't go away soon, contact your doctor to have it checked out. If is better to have your doctor check it out than to keep worrying that it could be cancer again.
Wishing you the best!
Susan
SCC R-Lateral tongue, T1N0M0
Age 47 at Dx, non-smoker, casual drinker, HPV-
Surgery: June 2005
RT: Feb-Apr 2006
HBOT: 45 in 2008; 30 in 2013; 30 in 2022 -> Total 105!
Recurrence/Surgeries: Jan & Apr 2010
Biopsy 2/2011: Moderate dysplasia
Surgery 4/2011: Mild dysplasia
Dental issues: 2013-2022 (ORN)
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | I get those on my tongue, the inside of my cheeks and inside my front lower lip. They have been caused by biting myself when I eat.
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 5 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 5 | [quote=Uptown]I get those on my tongue, the inside of my cheeks and inside my front lower lip. They have been caused by biting myself when I eat. [/quote]
I get those too, but this is different from that. This is a white patch, about the size of a pencil eraser. It is on the tongue down near the gum. It's so far back that it is very hard to see. It is not the spot I went looking for that was sore. This is something different.
I'll watch it for a week or so and see what happens. I so do not want to go through this again!
June 2015 - Biopsy of lesion of left side of the tongue
June 2015 - Confirmed SSC
August 2015 - partial glossectomy and left neck dissection
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Could this be the start of thrush?
Im always extra cautious so I would suggest giving your doc a call. It doesnt hurt to get checked out again, if for nothing else than to ease your mind. Better to rule anything serious out than to end up regretting a delay later.
Hopefully its nothing serious!!!
ChristineSCC 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  | | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | You know what... I would go see the dr. asap. It'll be on your mind until you do. I know we don't want to face the unknown - but it's better to know now what's going on than to wait too long to find out.
Chances are it's nothing and you'll be breathing a sigh of relief in a day or two but better safe than sorry.
hugs
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
| | |
| Forums23 Topics18,168 Posts196,925 Members13,103 | | Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020 | | |
|
