Thursday we found a tumor at the base of my tongue. Friday I had PET and CT scans. This morning the ENT doctor told me the lymph nodes near the tumor are lighting enough to show some activity, but there is nothing conclusive with this. As for the tumor, he said it is clearly defined.

He said that he wants to bring me in to hospital for full set of biopsies that includes the tumor and surrounding areas. Also, he wants a visual look at the nearby areas such as windpipe. I will be under full anesthesia for this. He said he would like this to happen this week.

I asked, why not just biopsy the tumor in the office, see if it's cancer, and if it is, set up the other tests. He said he considered that, but he has seen a lot of these, and he is 99% certain this tumor is cancer. So it is better to do the biopsy in the hospital, look at it right away, and then I'll be right there if other biopsies are needed.

I also asked him if an oncologist should take care of this, and he said that oncologists usually refer this type of thing to someone like him to do. But that after the biopsies and visual exam, an oncologist would definitely take over.

So now my next step would be to see my primary care doctor to get pre-operation screening so I can be under anesthesia for this.

I'm freaking out, and I'd appreciate your thoughts about this.