Hi,

I was just looking round the web for info while I'm waiting for my cell culture results. Obviously I'm nervous to get bad news, I have two very little ones and no family or support other than my DH...but I'm trying not to freak out yet! Unsuccessfully.

I have had a red smooth patch on the side of my tongue for now three weeks, was treated for Candida but didn't go away, so they sent me to ENT...he said probably not cancer, but could be precancerous and scraped a cell sample off. Didn't give me any alternatives at all to what else it might be but scoffed at my hopeful geographic tongue suggestion.

I know there are so many people here that have to deal with really terrible things, but wimpy little me: even precancerous freaks me out. He said if yes he would cut and stitch and, you know, my God. On my tongue?? I don't want cancer anything, pre or not!

So I'm trying to be in denial... I have had harmless tongue trouble for while now, geographic tongue, short-term red patches that looked and felt the same as this one aka red smooth and slightly burny (Candida, the doc said and treated successfully, now not so sure it really was Candida, ENT said there was no reason why I should get that), even the black hairy tongue thing...but it always went away quickly.

I'm 39, smoked very lightly for about 5 years, but quit about 10 years ago...otherwise healthy, no alcohol besides an eventual glass of wine, but none for the last month eg. I'm watching my diet, too, trying to be healthy with greens and fruits. Had the dentist do the cancer screen like 6 month ago, was fine...

Oh, and the ENT gave me an oral steroid, and after two days the red patch is gone, but the burny feeling is still there. I'm not sure where he wants to cut now, I can't even tell where it was. Would it still be red if precancerous? Or would the color go away with steroids? Could the burn be still from the scraping 1.5 days ago?

It's all going to be all right, yes? (just please say yes, the results will come in early enough.)

Aaaargh!

Thanks!

The red patch could be any number of things besides oral cancer. The good news is that after taking a steroid for a couple days the patch disappeared. Oral cancerous tumors do not normally come and go.
Keep yourself busy to keep your mind off worrying about "what if". With having 2 young ones that should be fairly easy.

Best wishes and please come back and let us know your results.

PS... Do yourself a favor and stay away from "Dr Google". If you look hard enough even a male will find out they are pregnant when putting in their symptoms.

I'm sure you are right about the distraction. Not so easy.

And unfortunately, this morning the patch is back in its old force....:( even with a new center, so what the heck.

Also now that I know about this, I am concerned about a sore I have had for like a year on the bottom lip. It's where my cold sores always start, so I figured it just never really healed, but now...right back to the doctor, I guess.

Follow up for other people that might be looking for an answer: biopsy just got in: all clear even though Doc is still suspicious and will cut spot out if not gone in 3 months.

So I'm working on that as am mortally, phobically afraid of cutting. If anybody has an idea, do tell....I'll go with incredible teeth brushing, oil of oregano, and a visit to general doc who so far has always gotten my icky tongue issues in grip. Also have found Ent that works with Medical Center, so will go there for follow up.

I would be far more afraid of having to have radiation.. But I respect your fear. ask for a prescription for oracort see if that helps... so glad you're clear.

Oh god, yes, of course radiation and all other things are more scary than having a sliver of tongue taken off!

But I do want to see somebody else too, as doctor did not entirely make sense and I suspect I just have a mild case of geographic tongue. I will def check on the oracort, thanks!!

Oh yes, that stuff. Yes I used that, and on the first day of use the patch actually went away. But ever since it hasn't done a thing, strangely. I bought a tongue brush and gel and that seems to help a bit now, the patch is getting less glossy and more normal in texture. Still red, though.