Hi Everyone,

I thought I should ask your opinion on small bumps that I have found in the back of my tongue (on both sides) a few weeks ago. The lesions are right at the base of my tongue on BOTH SIDES around the lingual tonsil area and have a hard structure. One of them looks like a little cauliflower. They are raised & pink in color and there is no white areas or red patches around them on the tongue.

I have no pain at all, the lymph nodes in my neck, under my jaw line and under my chin are NOT enlarged and the lesions are not painful to touch. The bumps themselves are numerous (possibles 3/4 on each side) with the largest being 1cm long, 0.5cm wide and maybe 0.25cm thick. They have never bled, I have no issues with swallowing and no sore throat at all. I have no pain in my teeth and my gums are fine with no pain and/or discoloration. FYI, I had my tonsils removed when I was a child.

In terms of time, I only noticed them about 3 weeks ago but they may have been there for a longer period. They are in an area of the mouth that are difficult to see with normal brushing/flossing. I have good oral hygiene and brush and use the dental sticks daily. I don't smoke and drink occasionally.

I am a Hodgkins Lymphoma survivor (5 years remission on Tuesday !!), so I know what is like to get the "C" diagnosis and am obviously worried that this could be SCC. I am getting a biopsy on Friday but thought I would ask you guys a few questions:

1. Is it normal to have SCC on BOTH sides of the tongue?
2. Does SCC predominantly present it self as a single lump, rather than multiple lumps?
3. Can I post a picture on this forum so you can see it?
4. Tongue biopsy - is it painful, how many days before back to normal, will it affect speech / eating etc?? Should I ask to be sedated?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Sami