Dear all,

I am very new to this forum and this whole world of cancer. It's a horrible world and I am feeling so overwhelmed, stressed, depressed and every other negative feelings one might have.

I am here to discuss and ask about my mother's SCC on lateral part of right side.
So my mom told me on 8th August, 2024 of a sore on her right lateral side of tongue, when I saw it i didnt like it. It looked like bulky blister. I sent its picture to a maxillofacial surgeon friend who told me we should have a biopsy done if the "blister" was more than 1 month old.. Mom said it started 2 to 3 months ago as a redness and kinda canker sore, and even had briefly healed. Friend recommended biopsy just to be sure.
On 9th august, took her to hospital and her biopsy was taken and submitted.
Due to friend, we got biopsy report on 12th august, which said it was a well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The report said following

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Sections examined reveal stratified squamous epithelium overlying fibromuscular tissue which is infiltrated by islands and nests of a malignant tumor. Individual cells comprising the tumor have squamoid appearance having high N/C ratio, pleomorphism and enlarged, hyperchromatic to vesicular nuclei with prominent nucleoli. Keratin pearl formation is also noted.
Opinion:
TONGUE (BIOPSY):
- Histological type: Squamous cell carcinoma
- Histological grade: Well differentiated
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It was like a bombshell. I didnt know how to tell my mother. Somehow I did, not disclosing the full extent of risks, at the time.

The same day we went for an MRI and got its report on the next day on 13th august. The report said following

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Findings:
There is a lesion in right posterolateral dorsal aspect of tongue with a depth of 8.2 mm from its lateral surface and 12.9 mm from its superior surface. It measures 14.3x8.4x14.5 mm. It is hyperintense on T2WI, isointense on T1WI and shows homogeneous enhancement. It is predominantly involving the intrinsic muscles. The upper fibers of right hyoglossus are involved. The genioglossus is spared. No involvement of middle septum. No involvement of mylohyoid or base of tongue seen. No involvement of bone. No involvement of retromolar trigone. No gingival mucosal involvement seen. No involvement of parapharyngeal space seen.
There are multiple subcm yet rounded lymph nodes at right level 1A, 1B, bilateral levels 2 and 3 , largest right 2A node is 6.5 mm. No nodal necrosis seen.
Right sided palatine tonsils have T2 hyperintensity and are mildly enlarged.
No lesion seen in bilateral parotids, submandibular glands and thyroid.
Included sections of orbits, brain and spine seen unremarkable.
Impression:
Known SCC tongue.
* Enhancing 1.4cm lesion in right posterolateral tongue with involved upper fibers of hyoglossus. It is not reaching the midline. No involvement of floor of mouth seen.
* Multiple subcm cervical lymph nodes in bilateral levels 2, 3 and right level 1. These require ultrasound correlation for characterization and core biopsy of suspicious nodes suggested.
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The same day we did her ultrasound as well for correlation for characterization and it said following

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Findings:
High resolution B scan of thyroid gland:
Right lobe of thyroid gland shows normal size with normal parenchymal echopattern and no evidence of any solid or cyst focal lesion.
Thyroid isthmus appears normal.
Left lobe of the thyroid gland is not visualised ---- correlate with previous surgical history.
Prominent cervical lymph nodes are seen, largest one measures upto 5mm in SAD with preserved fatty hilum on the right side at level 2.
Impression:
* Thyroid gland left lobectomy status.
* Prominent cervical lymph nodes with preserved fatty hilum.
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FYI: My mother had her left thyroid gland removed in October 2023.

So after ultrasound was done, my friend referred us to a famous and best Oral cancer specialist. He is best in our area and about 90% of his surgeries are cancer related.
He was kind enough to adjust us for a surgery on 19th August. He performed partial glossectomy and did neck dissection on right side. He told me he was quite aggressive and did thorough cleaning of neck.. He said although lymphs down below (whatever that means) looked fine but he went as far as level 5 and removed lymphs till that.
He told me he didnt want to leave things to chance. And is of the opinion that we should do radiotherapy so any residue of cancer cells are killed promptly, even though the biopsy report for lymph nodes etc is still pending and is expected on 28th to 30th August. Told me chemo won't be needed in his opinion but still only after biopsy report could we be in definite position

It's been third day since surgery and at random times I feel being claustrophobic and am driving myself crazy with negative thoughts of what's next and what if this happened and that happened. The pending biopsy report is getting on my nerves. Questions like what if lymph nodes were involved which the mri/ultrasound showed were prominent? I feel literally alone as I am supposed to be the strength of everyone around, the one who fixes everything.

So my question is, based on reports of my mother and the surgery that followed, has any one else been at the same level as my mother?
I will consult a good oncologist after the biopsy report, what questions should I be asking him?
Is there any advice or dos/donts that would be relevant in my mother's case?


What should I do in the meantime while the biopsy report is pending?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. And i am sorry if I have done anything wrong, posted this in wrong location or used wrong terminologies about cancer since i am very new to this world.