My case is very similar to the survivors that have previously posted. I had been battling leukoplakia since I was 25. I noticed a white spot on the left lateral part of my tongue that wouldn't go away. I had it biopsied and it was severe epithilial dysplasia. Every 2-3 years I would have another spot in the same area until December 2002 when I had an ulcer that wouldn't heal. After trying some prescription mouth wash and after 4 weeks. I had it excised and it was SCC. It was very small and they did not believe radiation was necessary. Four months later I had a tumor in my tongue that was over 2 cm. The reoccurance was harder to detect because of all the surgeries. I thought it might be scar tissue because my tongue was stiff and less mobile than before. The CT of the head and neck showed a mass and then the needle biopsy was done and confirmed what the CT and PET showed.

That's my story. Early detection and persistance with physicians seems to pay off for most patients.

Lynn