Kim, I went to an ent who did a needle biopsy on the swollen gland. Stung a bit (OK, a lot) but at least not so invasive. When the path report came positive for malignancy, he sent me for a pet scan to see just how much was affected. I don't know a lot about your system there, all I know is that one of the arguments conservatives here use against it is the long waiting to see o doc.

Yes PMH - princess Margaret hospital - the top hospital in Canada - one if the top two in north America - one if the top 5 in the world. I live in Mississauga 20 minutes away - I could have gone to trillium - or credit valley but a friend asked a top notch ENT guy she knew - who he would send a family member to and he recommended dr. Irish at PMH. He is very good. Not really a hand holder but very very talented. (hes a head and neck surgical oncologist) if you have to go through radiation and chemo - PMH has a lodge you can stay at during the week days -If you're from out of town. Dr. Irish nor any of his colleagues will see you without first having a biopsy, & CT, once you have those his office would set up an MRI . Then an appointment - but he's very quick!
I had my biopsy on Dec 10 - results Dec 20 - CT (with help from a friend) Dec 21 - results same day - ) they usually make you wait a day or two - I was lucky - once I got my results I had my dr sign a referral - and faxed it and all my results directly to dr Irish myself. There was a short break over Christmas everything slows Down - dr Irish set up an MRI - I harassed them to put me in an empty spot (they save some for emergencies) I saw the dr. The next week, had my surgery 2 weeks later - diagnosis - surgery - 5-6 weeks - partly because if the two weeks Christmas break! push! Seriously! And my tumor in my tongue was there for years! The area was sore but there was no physical sore. It felt like a lump inside my tongue. I truly am blessed that everything moved so quickly. When you talk to the ents explain your history - tell them you are desperate. If they can fit you in you will have your dr fax a referral. Then call the Drs office explain you found someone to take you and ask them up fax the referral. good luck - I hope everything works out!

Kim, I responded with detail on your other thread. Any sore that has been in your mouth for over 2 weeks should be checked by a professional. I have had surgical biopsies with being put under, with a local numbing shot and also with nothing at all. Its not a big deal to have a teeny tiny piece snipped from the inside of your cheek. It hurts for a couple minutes then its no big deal. Good luck!

Kim, regarding your question about biopsy:

With incisional biopsy, only a sample of tissue is removed with preservation of the histological structure of the tissue�s cells. With excisional biopsy entire lump or suspicious area is removed. I would also not suggest going for brush biopsy as it is not always conclusive.

Christine has briefly described the process. All the best and get that biospy done quickly.

Kim,
Welcome! I think you should definately go see an ENT asap! Be persistent and demand some actions be done! Praying that things can go smoothly and fast and that the scans/biopsies come out negative!

Chery and Kim, you need a referral to an ENT and that as we all know here in Canada can take 4-8 months!! The $104- charge from the oral surgeon is pretty good! Dissappointed though that they cant see you till October! (Are you in a rural area??)

I had my first tongue biopsy a week after my doctor referred me to an oral surgeon. The cost was over $300- came back as moderate dysplasia (lychen planus) 2009

I was then refered to the Oral Cancer Screening Clinic (part of BC Cancer Agency) in Vancouer where I was living and was followed up every 3 months after that. Jump ahead to 2011 and I moved to Calgary where they have no Provincial Oral Cancer Screening Program (stoopid!) Took 8+ months to find a family doctor and get a referral to an ENT, I have one now and he took a biopsy Sept 2(it had been a year since my last one) and its now positive for 'superficial cancer'. Surgery booked next week. I guess that means stage 1.

So Kim, get the biopsies done ASAP and pay the $$ then you will get the referals to an ENT or Screening Program in your area for follow/up... Listen to your gut instincts.

Hi there I know the deal with referrals. I'm from Toronto. However, what people don't seem to realize here is that you can circumvent the system. Waiting is not an absolute. No dr. Or health care professional will tell you this. But here's the situation. I know someone who works for a hospital big wig. She was the one pushing me to push. If you do the leg work yourself you can get in much earlier. I found out the name of the best person to go to here in Toronto. Called my family dr. Went to see him. Told him who I wanted to see -he wrote out the referral. I took a copy of my records - bloodwork - chest and abdominal cts -and faxed it to the specialists office. Then I called the next day to confirm they received it. the secretary said yes but the specialist wanted an MRI - from princess Margaret (in house) this was over Christmas. They run half shifts half staff during that time. I called them at diagnistic imaging repeatedly once they'd received the requisition (they originally had me slated for feb 4 th). Said to them I would take any cancellation. I could be there in 30 min if need be. The first Tuesday after new years. I called again. They said they had emergency spots open for the next day - if they didn't have them filled by noon I could have it. I called back at 12 and was given the spot. The specialist received my MRI a few days later and I was in to see him the following week. If I didn't need the MRI I would have been in there 2 weeks earlier. They always have emergency space available. All you need to do is push. just to give you an idea - my first ENT wen out of town over Christmas - told me to book an appointment to see him when he got back - he would give me he results then! He was back January 4th!!! I told him I wasn't waiting that long as my biopsy was dec 10,,,, he said I could get it from my family doc which I did - he's a great patient advocate. The minute he found out I had scc - I was given an immediate ct and bloodwork. He wrote out the req. His secretary faxed it to the hospital. I got in the next day! The Results - because I had my Drs office call and put an ASAP on it - the were available the same day! I was in surgery the day that PMH had originally set me up for the MRI. You need to advocate for yourself. Making a pest of yourself is nothing if it means saving your life. Too many people are willing to accept that you have to wait. hope your surgery goes well Tracy.

Good Morning Everyone,
You guys are the best !! I DID push yesterday and good news, I have my appt with my ENT on Friday at the hospital for possible biopsy !! Funny, I was going to call the office back and ask to be put on cancellation list, then I finally realized its only 2 days!! LOL. Oh boy , I'm really really nervous now. Its what I need to do but I'm freaking out now about the actual biopsy procedure. Now itshappening so fast, yikes. Oh well I will make it.

I Love this forum !! Like I said I have no one to talk to about what I am going through, even though I do have a husband.

Wishing everyone a good day.
Thank you, Kim

Kim,

The biopsy is a couple of little pinches on the tongue. I asked the surgeon NOT to let me see the needle or there would be a problem. I closed my eyes from the start to the finish. I felt a couple of pinches and the rest is history.

If your queeze like me tell him you don't want to see anything.

Keep us posted. Good Luck with the biopsy and no to a brush you want the real deal.

Take care and Good Luck keep us posted.
Connie

Don't worry about the biopsy. Like Connie said, it's not very painful and it's over in a flash.