Hello. I have been creeping around the forums for about a week...learning. I am a 48 year old female who quit smoking 4 years ago but still "vape" now and then with an electronic cig. I drink a couple of mixed drinks or glasses of wine an evening. Guess I'm confessing my sins right up front. Lol. I teach HS Chemistry and Math and am from Texas. After 14 months of white patches on my tongue (LS toward the back), and 3 biopsies, I was diagnosed today with SCC. Oral Surgeon referring me to another Oral Surgeon who is the head of the Head and Neck "department" of a Medical Center near me. The OS #2 has a 41 page resume' with several papers about the treatment of SCC listed. He lists Head and Neck Oncology as one of his surgical specialties. I hope I will be in good hands. OS #1 said surgery should be all I need. My lesion is about the size of a Lima Bean. Should I be worried that chemo or radiation aren't being recommended? Seems like most of you have had more than surgery?

Hi there, I'm so sorry about your diagnosis. You've done a great job persisting through 3 biopsies to get an answer. It's often valuable to get a second opinion. If nothing else it gives you more confidence. Sounds like OS #2 has a nice CV. Personally I would want to know that at least 50% of his/her practice was head and neck. You want somebody who does this all day long.

& bully for you quitting cigs, that's a fantastic accomplishment!

Hi ChemTeach,

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. You're in a good place for info and encouragement for sure. There are a lot of very knowledgeable people here.

If you've been lurking then you've seen many recommend a 2nd opinion. It's just a prudent thing to do. Seek out a CCC near you and see what they have to say. Most CCCs use a team approach which bodes well for the patient. Having confidence in your team is vital for your attitude and success IMO.

Here is a list of the top rated Cancer hospitals in the US.

Cancer Center Ratings

I see you're in Tx. MD Anderson is #1 in the country. A CCC will have seen more in terms of quantity of cases and diversity as well as have the latest technology.

Information and knowledge will be your best ally as you begin the journey.

Positive thoughts and prayers

"T"

I 2nd for a 2nd opinion at a CCC. It also depends on the size of the tumor, and other pathology, prognostic factors like negative margins from surgery, perineural or lymphovascular invasion, other involvement to have chemo and radiation added. Small T1-T2 oral cancer are often treated with surgery, with or without radiation, chemo or radiation alone. It also depends on the doctors experience, patients request.

Thanks for the warm welcome and immediate advice. Will let everyone know what this 2nd Dr. Has to say. Dr. #1 said the same thing about having a surgeon that "does this type of surgery everyday" when he referred me to Dr. #2. I am scheduled to see him Tuesday of next week. Just going to try to stay busy until then and look further into MD Anderson vs. LSUS in Shreveport (Willis-Knighton). Thanks again.

Welcome to OCF! Sorry to hear you have been given the bad news of having SCC. You have found a great place for info and support. We will help you get thru this.

Im glad to hear you will be taking the good advice you have been given about heading to a CCC. The team based approach of the countrys top doctors along with adhering to the NCI guidelines has been scientifically proven to be beneficial to the outcome of the patient. They have experience in treating hundreds of oral cancer patients each year while smaller facilities may only see a case once or twice a year.

Best wishes!

MD is supposed to be top notch. And what is supposed to be isn't always as simple as it seems I second the second opinion. This cancer can be aggressive. No dr. Can tell you at that should be it until after the area is fully removed and the pathology has come back. Have you had a PET, CT or MRI yet? Hugs and welcome.

Just wanted to say welcome chemteacher. Sorry about your dx. As you can see this is a wonderful place for speedy opinions, medical advice, and tips and hints on getting through this. We will all be here to help you get through.

I have not had any imaging tests yet. Just 3 biopsies and referral to new doctor. Will know more after Tuesday's consultation. If this guy doesn't suggest some type of imaging test.....my alarms are going to go off!!!!

Told my Principal and co-workers today. Receiving lots of support, love, and prayers.

It's still hard for me to believe I have CANCER. I feel fine....except for this sore tongue. It just hasn't sunk in yet. This is serious, isn't it.?!?. One well meaning co-worker told me...."oh I know what SCC is, my mother had that on her forehead....it's no big deal.....don't worry...." I keep going back and forth.....this is CANCER......to....it's just a bump on my tongue that's like a bad mole....the size of a LIMA BEAN...!!!!!! Yes....I know this is more than just a bad spot on my skin.....

I recall going through a similar train of thought. I had a swollen gland. I felt fine otherwise. How can this be cancer? However, I had a gut feeling something was amiss prior to my diagnosis.

I really didn't feel anything until just before my neck dissection and even then it was just some pressure from the tumor pressing on structures and nerves. No pain at all.

I know... "we" know what you're going through. It's going to be Ok. You're going to be Ok. Take a deep breath, read up here and learn as much as you can during the following weeks and seek a second opinion regardless of how things go next week.

Positive thoughts and prayers

"T"

You are in the best place given the news you just received. I had to visit this site in May after receiving similar news. I am 6 weeks post TX and will answer any questions I can. The support network is your best friend and already started with co-workers. You will pass this test in life.

Yep, my GP thought it was a canker sore and tried to burn it off, oops. So cancer was a bit of a shocker. Well, she was only one letter off...

Good luck Tuesday. Once they get more info the options should all be laid out for you.

Wishing you the best of luck on your TX! It's very hard to hear and actually say I have Cancer, I am still in shock myself. Seems like you are doing all the right things and getting into the best places. My thoughts are with you.

Thanks folks. I told my Pre-AP chem students today about the cancer and that I will be out for a while after surgery. They were so sweet about it. I had to leave class early yesterday to have my CT scan. They want to see my scan! I got a copy of the CD of the CT for myself after reading some lists here. I want to have copies of all my test results IN HAND to give the various med professionals that need copies. Sounds like it may help avoid delays in treatment.

I am trying my best to make 6 weeks of lesson plans for all my classes for subs and line up meals for my family for the week or so I am in the hospital. Hubby will be driving back and forth 90 minutes each way to visit me and get our kids to and from school. Wow...there is alot to plan.

You are doing the best thing you can do for yourself with this diagnosis and that is get educated on it. This will allow you to ask the right questions and even the Doc's don't want you to ask. Time is your biggest enemy. The tissue of your tongue replaces itself every 7 to 10 days. In order for a tumor to sustain its growth over normal tissue it has to replecate faster than that which means it will likely double in size every week or so. The larger it gets the harder it is to take out or treat without adversely effecting your function. If it were me and I had the means to get to MD Anderson, I would do so as fast as possible. A referall to them from Dr.#2 might get you in and treated the fastest. The next thing they will do is stage the cancer with a number of tests. This takes time and the people who ultimately will do the treatment will want to have their own tests and not use another hospital. Because of the time issue that is why I would say get to MD as soon as you can and let them stage it and give you recommendations for treatment. As a fellow educator I am living proof you can survive this and be able to teach a bunch more students chemistry so they help save the world from global warming. Good luck.

Chances are it will be longer than six weeks. You may be able to work the first two but the two treatment are the worst. Then it's a slow climb back to normal - that's assuming you have to have radiation. Here's to hoping you don't! hugs