David, I'm seeing him next Tuesday(Oct 2) morning.

Book your ct ASAP if you can - you can always cancel it if he deems it unnecessary. hope its nothing.

Hi Ananth, while I am hoping that it turns out to be negative, I do suggest to move very fast on this. It really does not matter if the doctor ordered PET/CT or CT as should there be any thing suspicious, conclusions can be only drawn by a biopsy.

Regarding the report:

Your tongue came out to be all clear!

Are the affected lymph nodes on the same side of neck as your were operated (for tongue)?

When did you have the last CT and were there any observations about any lymph node?

Hi Eshwar, thanks. I've never had a CT before this one.

3 nodes were noted in the report, 2 on the left(10x5mm, 10x6 mm) & one on the right side(13 x 5 mm). My lesion is on the right. Strangely it seems to have shrunk a bit(I could be imagining things).

By biopsy, you also mean biopsying the 3 nodes as well as the lesion right? It's a little frustrating that I can't talk to the Doctor right now, but I'll move as quickly as I can.

Hi again. Okay - you should definitely be scheduled for a biopsy. Nodes and lung -that's he only way to know for sure if you're not at a ccc get to one. I'm sure your dr. Is fine but tere is a standard protocol for this type of cancer, and oral cancer (non HPV) can be aggressive. Everyday you wait for your dr. To get back from vacation is a day you could be getting things done in terms of appointments etc.. Truthfully it's a moot point now (your appointment is soon), but looking back at your history, it could very well be a recurrence (sorry don't want to freak you out - but the best way to catch this sucker is a the starting gate with both barrels blazing - surgery - rads and chemo.) the fact that you didn't have this tells me that they may not have gotten it all despite clear margins - cancer is cellular - there could be microscopic bits floating around that remain inactive or slow growing, post surgery. I've said his a few times on here - quoting an oncologist - there is no such thing as a recurrence - it means they didn't get it all. Particularly this soon out of treatment. (surgery) sometimes. Cancer may pop up a few years out often then it's a question of whether its a second primary. Anyway, push for them to move quickly on this. I too had a Long history of inflammation - leukoplakia - when I got this dx my specialist threw the proverbial book at me. No guarantees of no recurrence but at least I can say I did what I could. Hugs - fingers crossed too...

Hopefully it's not a recurrence, and something else minor. It could be reminiscent cancer, missed last time. I know for scc, at least in the lymph nodes after surgery, if cancer come back, it usually does at the surgical line, and did twice in my case, but I forget why that happens. You are still in a good position for cure, being you only had prior excisional surgery, , and all your options seem open. If you had prior therapy, surgey, radiation, chemo, and even lymph node invlolvemnt, that changes prognosis, but these days more is being done with accurate radiation, reirridation, radiossenting drugs, and surgical techniques. I'm not familiar with tongue Cancat, as I am my own, but similar in ceryain aspects. Chemo and radiation may be considered if it is a recurrence due the possibility of microscopic cancer is missed and lymoh node involvemnt. As mentioned, get your tests done first, and good you caught it early. Best of luck.

I met with my surgeon and am less anxious than before. He feels the nodes don't have to be biopsied(their size, shape other characteristics & my physical) don't warrant that according to him.

My lesion is going to be excised completely on Oct 15th. Surgeon thinks that it is dysplasia and not cancer this time, but who knows?

My care is at UCDavis(a CCC); my ent surgeon is supposed to be very good, who sees lots of head & neck pathology. My wife is also a physician(nephrologist) at UCD.

Hoping for the best...

All abnormal looking tissue was excised and biopsy has come back negative!

For the moment, a sigh of relief!

My life will forever be on tenterhooks, since I've had this diagnosis once, but now I'm prepared for anything, having read the inspirational stories here. Thanks all for your support and wishing the very best for everyone in their fight!

Congratulations!!! Always nice to hear some good news.
Go live life to the fullest and enjoy.
Have fun,
Kathy

Great news!