Hi Sue,

As you will see from my signature, I had the exact diagnosis as you, even down to the left lateral border of the tongue. Mine was a non-healing ulcer that was biopsied, too. I also was a non-smoker and very limited drinker.

What you are seeing could very well be scar tissue, however it should certainly be looked at by your ENT to be sure.

If you spend enough time on this forum, you will see that there are many treatment plans for the same type and location of oral cancer and this really depends upon the treating doctor's protocol. In my case, I was treated a comprehensive cancer center (CCC) and had a consultation with a radiation oncologist before my surgery. It was decided that I would not have radiation if I did not have nodal involvement and if the surgery had clear margins. (Frozen sections were done during the surgery to assure the clear margins). My treatment plan involved surgical removal of a 2 cm circular area of the tongue around the original site of the cancer.

The decision was made to do a modified neck disection to rule out nodal involvement. I had an MRI (not ordered by the surgeon, but ordered by the oral surgeon that did the biopsy), but did not have a PET scan. The surgery showed clear margins and no nodes. As you can see, my treatment was more aggressive than yours, but certainly less aggresive than others here have had for similar situations.

I want you to know that I personally am not recommending any treatment plan to you, but just making you aware of the fact that different protocols exist.

You do need to see your surgeon as soon as possible to find out what is going on and to put your mind at ease or to get some follow-up treatment.

By the way I spent about 2 weeks this past February in your lovely country and had a wonderful time. Where in Australia do you live?

Jerry