Agreed Tommy - i understand the rush to get it out - I too felt the same way. BUT it's important they get it all. Usually biopsy results take at least a week. A thorough biopsy at least will take that long, because they cut the tissue into microscopic pieces and examine them. sounds easy but there are usually a bunch of biopsies done daily - and other people are waiting for results too.

Also I agree with what David said with regards to going to a cancer center. The dr. May go in And remove the tumor - however if he doesn't get it all - she'll have to have another operation at a later date. this cancer can be tricky because it can spread to the lymph nodes in the neck - not to scare you but - cancer centers are experienced at dealing with this kind of cancer. They can predict based on Experience - where it can travel - and Therefore where to look for it and hopefully how to stop it's progression.

Usually prior to surgery they do a biopsy, give you the results, then send you for bloodwork, a ct scan, an MRI - then you see the specialist (In my case it was a surgical oncologist who specialized in head and neck surgery)- who will decide your treatment - he booked my surgery and performed it. Because my tumor was a fair size 2.4 cm x 1.4 cm deep they also grafted a piece of skin from my wrist to my tongue. This was a 10-14 hour surgery.
Plus despite having a clear ct scan of my neck they removed 40 lymph nodes and found cancer in one. I also prior to surgery met with a radiation dr. Who told me that depending on the results of my second biopsy (one they perform on the tumor they remove) I may or may not be offered chemo and radiation. In my case I was - for two reasons which I won't get into,

Now your mom may have a superficial tumor on the side of her tongue, but there are people who've had smaller cancers but it's still been found in a node or two, this is why someone who deals with this cancer is so important.

I guess what I am trying to say is - there are a lot of steps that people go through prior to surgery and treatment for this cancer - it seems like what your mom has had done prior to the decision to go ahead with surgery seems to be lacking. Either that ornyou you don't know everything (which is possible because as parents we sometimes like to protect our kids) or not everything was checked out properly.

My suggestion is - print off all of these replies and give them to your mom - let her read them over. That way she can make an informed decision. We all want the best care when faced with something like this. Fast isn't always the best though speed is important.

Best of luck and try not to worry - it's very possible it's a very superficial cancer In Which case a quick surgery will take care of it. But that decision should be made at a place that is used to dealing with that type of cancer. Take care.

this is more updated. while one ENT say my mom didn't need a CAT scan. another did recommend it. are there any other scans she is missing out on?

Biopsy test - 6/9

Results came in - 6/15
(SCC in-situ, but my mom is seeing another white spot inside her mouth that they didn't do a biopsy on, is that related?)

X-rays on the lung area - 6/16

CAT Scan with dye - 6/17

Appointment with doc. on treatment - 6/22

Surgery scheduled - 6/23

can they tell what stage the cancer is from just the biopsy?

if the report from the biopsy says in-situ, is that reliable to think its early stage? or do we have to wait for results from the CT scan?

Tommy,

When I had my surgery spots were taken from my inside cheek. I never saw anything before surgery but I really didn't look. When I was sick I lost weight too, but I sure did put the weight back on after recovery.

How long has she had the lesion on her tongue? Is the surgeon taking any lymphnodes during surgery?

If you go to a Cancer Center you can take all the reports with you and no need to go through the testing again. The Cancer Center will look at all the reports and setup surgery or go from there.

I waited an extra 2 weeks to have a surgeon at a Cancer Center do my surgery. I know time is very important that's why I asked how long has she had the lesion on her tongue. Mine started in Dec. and after all the craziness my surgery was in April.

You and your Mom are in my prayers, she's lucky to have you by her side helping her.

Keep us posted.

Take care,
Connie

Per Wikipedia.....


IN SITU.....
Carcinoma in situ (CIS) is an early form of carcinoma defined by the absence of invasion of surrounding tissues. In other words, the neoplastic cells proliferate in their normal habitat, hence the name "in situ" (Latin for "in its place"). For example, carcinoma in situ of the skin, also called Bowen's disease, is the accumulation of neoplastic epidermal cells within the epidermis only.

For this reason, CIS will usually not form a tumor. Rather, the lesion is flat (in the skin, cervix, etc.) or follows the existing architecture of the organ (in the breast, lung, etc.). Some CIS, however, do form tumors, such as in the colon (polyps), in the bladder (pre-invasive papillary cancer), or in the breast (more properly called ductal carcinoma in situ).

Many forms of invasive carcinoma (the most common form of cancer) originate after progression of a CIS lesion.[1] Therefore, CIS is considered a precursor or incipient form of cancer that may, if left untreated long enough, transform into a malignant neoplasm.

When explaining a laboratory report to a patient, most doctors will refer to CIS as "pre-cancer", not cancer. However, because most forms of CIS have a high probability of progression into invasive carcinoma, doctors will usually recommend that the lesion be completely removed. Therefore, CIS is usually treated in much the same way as a malignant tumor.

In the TNM classification, carcinoma in situ is reported as TisN0M0 (Stage 0).

Thanks everybody!

We just came back from the doctor for the results from the CT scan and xray. All were negative which means the cancer didn't spread yet. Thats a great sign as it took alot of weight off everyones shoulders.

I asked for a copy of the report from the biopsy. it reads as followed

"superficial strips of at least squamous cell carinoma in-situ"

Can we determine what the cancer stage from this? since the CT scan and xray are both negative?

Thank you all so much for the support. I love you all!

Tommy, you are getting good advice. Like spme pf the others I had radiation, chemo and radiation seed implants. Lost a lot of tongue, my teeth plus the neck dissection. It will be tough on uyou both for awhile but she should be fine. To me the after AFFECTS ARE NOT SO PLEASANT EITHER SO PREPARE FOR A TOUGH FIGHT. i BET YOU WILL BE A GOOD CARE GIVER TO YOUR mOM. tHAT SHE REALLY NEEDS. Excuse my typos. I can spell very good but sure aren't a typist.

Tomm, one thing you seem hung up on is the Stage. While it is important, it does not mean a Stage IV person doesnt have a good chance of beating this and a Stage I person will always get thru it. Ive been both Stage I and Stage IV. I hope you take some time going back and reading the responses again. In my previous post that I took from Wikipedia, in situ is a pre cancerous condition. It even is shown written out as Stage 0.

I want to make sure both you and your mother both understand what surgeons do in these situations....they cut. Once its done you cant put it back. Sure the docs can piece a person together but it is never the same. Im like a jigsaw puzzle with all my pieces transferred to other places on my body. Im trying to make certain that you both know from what you have explained to us, it seems like there is plenty of time for a second opinion at a cancer center. This is very important before she jumps in and has surgery without even knowing how much the doc is cutting out.

What also concerns me with her situation is that the result is not exact. It says it is at least SCC in situ. What kind of biopsy was done? Was it a fine needle biopsy or was a piece actually snipped from the area in question?

As you are finding out, we always are looking out for the patients best interests. Its much better to delay a couple weeks and be certain this is the proper route to take.

Thanks ChristineB,

They cut a piece out of her tongue for the biopsy. Tomorrow we will be consulting with another ENT to get a 2nd opinion on it and see what needs to be done, we will also be on Wednesday with the one thats suppose to do the surgery.

The surgery will be performed in a Cancer Center. We have spoken with our primary doctor today regarding on a good cancer center, and he said while facilities are important, what's most important is that we find the best surgeon to do the operation. We are in the process of finding the best one.

Please let me know what you guys think. I thank you so much for these advices.

That sounds great you want a good surgeon at s cancer center... Good luck!