I know you guys probably can't help me with this, but I have no one to talk to, and I'm on the verge of a major panic attack.

This Thursday at about noon my mother had a lesion biopsied off the side of her tongue. She'd had it for about a year, and showed it to me several months ago. She has sleep apnea, and at the time had been refusing to wear her sleep mask because she found it uncomfortable. As a result, she often bit her tongue in her sleep, and the notch she showed me looked like a bite injury. My mom is a non-smoker, and I'd always associated oral cancer with tobacco users, so I wasn't worried about that. My biggest fear was that she'd stop breathing and die in her sleep, so I lectured her about wearing her sleep mask, which she agreed to do. As far as I knew that was the end of the matter.

Then in late November, she happened to mention that the notch on her tongue was still bothering her because she kept biting it. I still wasn't overly concerned to be honest, but we both agreed she should see someone about it. About a week before Christmas, she got an appointment with an ENT. He told her she might have a fibroma, but that this thing's appearance wasn't really consistent with a fibroma, and he thought it should come out immediately. She wanted to wait until after Christmas, so he made her an appointment for the 27th.

Finally alarmed, I asked to see it again, and was surprised to see it had grown into a larger flattened white thing, like and extra flap of skin. I decided to google some pictures of tongue cancer, thinking to put my mind at ease, but what I saw only made me more nervous.

And, now this morning, not quite 48 hours after the biopsy, she gets a call from the doctor's office saying that they had "information regarding her last visit", and that she should call them back this afternoon, or they would try again Monday. She missed the call, so Monday it is.

When she told me, I felt bile rise in my throat. I'd been prepared for a five or ten day wait. Wasn't looking forward to it, but was prepared. I've always associated fast results with bad news. I've tried not to let her see how scared I am, but have expressed my fears to other family members who've chastised me for my "negativity".

She claims not to be worried at all, and that cancer hasn't even crossed her mind. But she's also said that if it was cancer she'd refuse surgery and radiation, and would only opt for chemo. From my reading, I know that wouldn't be enough, so that's part of why I've spent much of the night crying.

Anyway, finally getting to the question I've come here to ask. Has anyone heard of biopsy results coming in this fast? Was it ever good news? And how concerned should I be that they actually made an effort to call her on the weekend? I've never been so frightened in my life.

Lily, welcome to OCF! Please do yourself a big favor and relax. At this point you are not sure exactly what your mother is dealing with. I understand you are worried, who wouldnt be. Take it step by step and wait to see what the biopsy results say then find a good doctor at a top cancer center.

A biopsy usually takes about a week for the results to come back. Yes, I have heard of preliminary results coming back very quickly. From what I understand, for full results it takes a lab several days to treat a biopsy sample and observe it for growth to get complete results.

you are correct, chemo alone will not kill the cancer. The only known cures for oral cancer are surgery and radiation with or without chemo.

Hope it turns out to be nothing serious!!!! Best wishes!

Thank you for your reply. Just writing that out helped a little. My family won't hear of it when I try to talk to them about the what ifs. I'm not saying a word to my mom of my concerns, but I'm so worried she'll be completely floored if the worst should happen. She's suffered from major depression for years, and I'm honestly not sure she has the spirit to take it. I'd rather it be me in her place. Thanks for letting me vent.

Keep us posted.

Thanks, I'll definitely let you know what we find out tomorrow, assuming we find out anything at all.

We had Kevin's biopsy result back on Monday from a Friday procedure. I could tell from the pathologists comments to the doc doing it that it was bad. She tested it as they were doing it because she wanted to make sure they had enough. She came in and said "you can do another if you want to, but I have all I need. They let me be in the room with Kevin.
Hang on until tomorrow. We have all been in your shoes. It is the worst to wait!!!!
Please let us know. We'll be here for you.
Kathy

Dont be surprised if they dont want you to come into the office for the results. My docs will never give me results over the phone.

Good luck tomorrow!!!!

Yeah I waited a horrible 2 weeks for the "RUSH" results of my FNA (fine needle aspiration). The ENT's nurse called me one morning and said "the doctor wants to see you at 3 this afternoon." Knowing that his office closed at 2 every day I knew he wasn't planning a party for me.

It depends on the hospital, doctor what their policy is, and each state is different too for some tests results available on-line, like blood work. For FNAB, I would get the preliminary right away when the pathologist looked at the sample under the microscope, and told it was cancer, then my doctor had to see or call me, but further studies take another day. After some surgeries, the doctor called me with the preliminary pathology results, but as ChristineB said, the final pathology takes a few days, week. With PET scans I would have to wait for my next dr appointment, usually several weeks later, but I wait two days, and and pick up my own scan reports, CD at the place of testing. They ask if my doctor reviewed it with me, and I just say, yes lol. Waiting is the worst. Good luck.

Well, it turns out to be good news. They said the growth was benign and that it was a wart, and they think she should get tested for HPV. They also said not to be surprised if it grows back over the biopsy site.

I couldn't get much more out of her than that because she seemed to be insulted and embarrassed at the suggestion that she could have HPV. She says she's not getting tested and whatever grows back is just staying there because the whole biopsy experience has been too painful. Having read a bit about oral cancer in the last few days, I'd feel better if she stayed on top of things. I've tried to make her understand there's nothing to be embarrassed about. But for now anyway, I'm going to relax. Thanks for reading my ramblings, and best wishes to all of you.