Dave....a suggestion would be to get the biopsy done BEFORE you go out of town for 10 days. Then the results will be ready when you get back. Of course, it will drive you crazy while you are gone, but the problem is that IF it is cancer, you don't want to be waiting too many extra days. Do you have time to do the biopsy and get the results before you leave? That's what I would do. Then if it is nothing, you can relax and enjoy your trip. If it is dangerous, you can consider your options, which might include taking care of yourself first. I dunno....I hate to see you ignore it for another couple of weeks, given your history of sun damage and smoking.

Colleen--T-2N0M0 SCC dx'd 12/28/05...Hemi-maxillectomy, partial palatectomy, neck dissection 1/4/06....clear margins, neg. nodes....no radiation, no chemo....Cancer-free at 4 years!