Had my biopsy result on Monday morning and oral cancer confirmed.I've had my CT scan today and MRI scan is next Tuesday.I've been told I'll be having surgery (at least) on my approx. 3/4inch (1.75cm) circumference ulcer which is on the underside of my tongue about 2 inches back from the tip.This has developed over last 8/9 months.
Wonder if anyone out there has had similar problem and what the outlook is for recovery (long or short term) and implications for my speech post surgery for something of this size.
I know I'm jumping the gun here before my tests come back and my consultant is great, but I'm feeling the pressure with a 2 year old daughter.

I know every case is different, but I can tell you a little bit about my experience. I had a tumor removed from the right side of my tongue about a month ago. It was day surgery and I was able to go home about 3 hours after surgery was complete. The recovery was pretty easy. I had to eat very soft foods for a couple of weeks but I was not in a great deal of pain. My speech was a little slurred and lispy but easy to understand. After about three weeks it was pretty close to normal except when I was tired. I had to have a second tongue surgery 12 days ago that was more extensive and included a skin graft from my thigh. I was on a liquid diet for about a week afterward and now I am able to eat soft foods. My speech is definitely impaired, but it gets better each day. People can understand me and I am able to talk on the phone but have to repeat myself a bit. The doctor said it will get much better once all the swelling is gone.

Your experience may be quite different from mine, but if you want to know anything else, please feel free to ask me. There are lots of people here who are much more knowledgeable than I, so they may have more information for you.

I'm sorry that you find yourself here but I'm very glad to hear that you are getting it taken care of. I wish you the best of luck with your surgery and recovery.

-Tracy

Brendan,
Yes, there are a number of us who have experienced something like what you have. Tracy has given you a good account of what you might expect about surgery.

It would not be easy to speculate on your outlook and recovery until you know more about it: is the cancer aggressive (maybe not since you've had it that long, but who knows for sure), do you have lymph nodes involved (scans will help there), when they remove it do they get wide, clear margins. You could have a great outlook, especially if your treatment is appropriate (aggressive enough for your cancer). It is hard waiting, I know.

Speech: you will likely do fine. It is amazing how we heal and compensate.

But number 1 is to find out exactly how extensive (and they can't know all of that now)and get it treated. If you have to go with radiation besides the surgery, then do it. Hope this helps!
Anne

Yes definitely find out how extensive the surgery is - mine was 2.4 cm x1.4 (depth) I did have perineural involvement - my original CT and MRI showed no spread to my nodes but my dr. Scheduled me for a neck dissection and removed 40 nodes - one did have cancer. My surgery was 14 hrs. Involved a tongue graft and 10 day hospital stay.

You need to find out exactly what your surgery entails. Speech wise I was recovering well then they radiated me so I'm back to square 1. But I can speak - I have a lisp but once the swelling goes down I should be much better!!! Its already improving daily! Good luck. Educate yourself on what to expect here - there's lots of info... And recurrence - depends on the individual... Ignore the numbers and focus on getting through it all! Take care!

Many thanks for the input/replies.I've never been a smoker,am not by any means a heavy drinker and am reasonably fit for a 50 year-old,so my diagnosis came as bit of a shock.My sport background probably made me think I was immune to these things.
My original post re. size of ulcer indicated circumference- it should say diameter-duh!
For anybody reading this who's not had their CT scan yet - it was no big deal.Straightforward canula in the arm and then just a series of x-rays with dye being pumped into your system as they moved you horizontally through the machine.Made me feel pretty hot in the chest/bladder area but it was just a temporary sensation for 30 secs or so.I did black out/faint in the waiting room afterwards about 2 minutes after they removed the canula, which caused a bit of a drama and was detained for a couple of hours while they checked me out.I dont have any issues with needles but was told it was probably the stress involved and low blood sugar as my appetite isn't what it was.Felt a little tired/unwell for the rest of the day and still not 100% this morning but it is manageable.
Recommend you take someone with you to these scans - I was on my own due to work issues at home and was potentially 'marooned' if I couldn't have driven home.
Will provide update next week re. MRI scan experience - hopefully drama free.
Incidentally, the staff were exceptional.

Brendan this diagnosis was the same for me. Not a smoker - not a drinker - I mean at all - I don't touch alcohol. I am a vegetarian, no dairy, and i went to the gym daily. And I didn't even drink coffee or tea! So there you have it. It came out of nowhere though I do have my suspicions as to why!

Sorry about your CT experience - the MRI should be less troublesome though they do ask you not to swallow a lot and of course the minute hey say it it's all you can think of and it's all you want to do!!! good luck.. Being in shape should help with your recovery!! Take care!!!