| | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 33 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 33 | Hello all, So I was putting on my makeup this morning and opened my mouth because I felt something weird. At the back of my tongue there is a mass. Soft..does not hurt, I can move it but its back far so it makes me gag when I try to check it. I just had surgery in Aug and I do not want to go through it again. What is the chance that this is a tumor again? I dont want to put my family through this. I have 4 babies and it breaks my heart to be sick. I guess I will have to call my ENT on monday and set up an appointment. This sucks. I hate it. 
Age 36 Mommy of 4  Diagnosed 8/5-tongue cancer T2 tumor with partial-glossectomy 8/13/13 along with neck dissection HPV positive Path report all clear margins! 11/5/13- enlarged taste bud and mild Dysplasia Surgery planned for 11/12 11/12 cancer cells removed Staged increased to stage 3. T3N1 Chemo and rads started 3/4/14 33 rads and 6 chemo Peg tube 3/7/14 37 radiation and 8 chemo treatments Completed treatment 4/25/14 recurrence 12/1/15 surgery for Hemiglossectomy 12/11/15
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 4 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 4 | Sorry to hear of your troubles. It could be anything, and understand your concern if it's of cancer, but only a doctor can help identify it. I heard the average recurrence, H&N cancer is like 7.8 months, rarely in two months, unless its aggressive, so that can be in your favor, plus any swelling from your recent surgery is possible, and usually the anterior tongue cancer does go to the base of tongue, as far as I know, if that helps, but anything is possible. Hopefully your ENT visit be quick. Good luck.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Do get it checked out. The sooner the better with all things considered.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | Ideally it's nothing. But get it checked ASAP. It is often the case with tongue cancers, that they will send you home thinking they got it all only to have a recurrence in the nodes or similar location. Since you've had a neck dissection (normally a great stop gap) hopefully you're safe though depending on location it could jump the midline . I don't want to scare you but waiting will only cause you more physical and emotional stress. Knowing definitively is something that will help in the long run as it will get you acting on it sooner or allow you to breathe a sigh if relief. Radiation and chemo is very effective in killing HPV related cancers. Ideally they would have sent you for it from the outset - after you've recovered for surgery as it's a great safety net. Though some drs are ambivalent and want to reserve this form of treatment. Not sure where you've been treated but if you get bad news (which I'm sincerely hoping you don't) being at a CCC is the best thing you could do for yourself. Hugs and best of luck.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 33 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 33 | Thank you. I have an appointment at 3:20 today.I am super nervous and preparing for the worst. I hope I am wrong. If it is cancer then I will be going to radiation and chemo this time. I just didnt think it would come back, but I assume everyone thinks that. We didnt think I would need radiation because of the clear margins but I was wrong. I really hope it will be ok.
Age 36 Mommy of 4 Diagnosed 8/5-tongue cancer T2 tumor with partial-glossectomy 8/13/13 along with neck dissection HPV positive Path report all clear margins! 11/5/13- enlarged taste bud and mild Dysplasia Surgery planned for 11/12 11/12 cancer cells removed Staged increased to stage 3. T3N1 Chemo and rads started 3/4/14 33 rads and 6 chemo Peg tube 3/7/14 37 radiation and 8 chemo treatments Completed treatment 4/25/14 recurrence 12/1/15 surgery for Hemiglossectomy 12/11/15
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 269 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 269 | Hoping the best for you TheresaC. Hopefully you will get quick results from your doctor.
Nancy (53 at dx)
Metastatic SCC. Stage III. HPV positive with occult primary. N1, no ecs
7/1/11 - L-Selective neck dissection. Tonsillectomy. All clean. No rad, no chemo.
5/29/13 - Found primary
7/3/13 - TORS
7/8/13 - Emergency Surgery/Blood vessel burst in throat
8/9/13 - Peg in
9/3/13 - Radiation starts 30 IMRT, 60gy BOT, 56gy both sides of neck
10/14/13 - Radiation ended!
11/12/13 - PEG out!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 33 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 33 | Thank you everyone for your kind words. It turns out that it is a very enlarged taste bud..stupid thing..but I do have new pre-cancerous cells that I will have surgery next tues for. I am feeling very blessed! I appreciate the support. It is weird how crazy you can get over all of this! Thank you so much again!!!!!
Age 36 Mommy of 4 Diagnosed 8/5-tongue cancer T2 tumor with partial-glossectomy 8/13/13 along with neck dissection HPV positive Path report all clear margins! 11/5/13- enlarged taste bud and mild Dysplasia Surgery planned for 11/12 11/12 cancer cells removed Staged increased to stage 3. T3N1 Chemo and rads started 3/4/14 33 rads and 6 chemo Peg tube 3/7/14 37 radiation and 8 chemo treatments Completed treatment 4/25/14 recurrence 12/1/15 surgery for Hemiglossectomy 12/11/15
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | Yeah!!! See now breath... and good luck next week
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 269 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 269 | Ahhhhh, so glad, and yes,,,good luck next week.
Nancy (53 at dx)
Metastatic SCC. Stage III. HPV positive with occult primary. N1, no ecs
7/1/11 - L-Selective neck dissection. Tonsillectomy. All clean. No rad, no chemo.
5/29/13 - Found primary
7/3/13 - TORS
7/8/13 - Emergency Surgery/Blood vessel burst in throat
8/9/13 - Peg in
9/3/13 - Radiation starts 30 IMRT, 60gy BOT, 56gy both sides of neck
10/14/13 - Radiation ended!
11/12/13 - PEG out!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 |
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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