Hello everyone,

Sorry for my absence, but I just wanted to come back when I had more news of the situation rather than just spilling all my worries on here without any real updates. After reading many messageboard posts like mine, its irritating when the original poster disappears and never gives an update or conclusion on their situation. I vow not to be that person.

After seeing my family doctor he said he couldn't even see the lesion (I don't know how that even happened?), and everything appeared normal to him. When I pushed for it he said he can refer me to an ENT Specialist for a 2nd opinion, I said yes and had an appointment scheduled.

Yesterday I saw the ENT specialist and though he was a little rude, and kind of seemed to brush off my concerns, he did examine my throat by inserting this camera through a tube, up my nose and down my throat. He said everything in regards to my throat looks normal. He also examined the growth on the side of my tongue and he said it looks like a wart, but he wouldn't be too concerned about it. He offered to remove it and run a biopsy on it but I refused because I had an appointment the next day to get it removed and biopsied by the Maxillofacial surgeon the next day.

Today was that appointment, I had the surgery and they removed it. Test results will come back in 3 weeks... 3 stressful weeks. Now I just have to wait. I've been telling myself that if 5 doctors have said they're "not concerned about it" (Sexual health doctor from the first post, Dentist, Family Doctor, ENT, and Maxillofacial Surgeon) then I should be okay if the results come back as normal.

I'm just wondering, what do you all think? Should I get a 2nd opinion from another ENT? Only thing is now the main lesion that sparked all this is gone now. Let me know, much appreciated...

You are probably ok but the only way to be sure is from the biopsy results. Probably just best to wait and try and relax. "The wait is the hardest part.." All the best.

Wait see what the results say. Chances are it was nothing but the biopsy would be definitive. Do keep an eye on the area after to make sure it heals etc... I am surprised the one dr. didn't see it when the other dr obviously did in order to remove it. Rude tends to be the case with some specialists - often they are brisk and busy and do seem to have that blow off air. As long as you are clear on what you want to have done and what your concern is, then they will usually follow through on the request ( its more of a save your hide situation - if he or she doesn't and it turns out it was cancer - it could mean trouble for them ) My dr. initially was nice but distant, he's warmed up over time I think too that since all he does is oral cancer and surgery that he sees a lot of scary/sad/bad news stories. Maybe this is his way of dealing with the ins and outs of it. And he has every right to be a snob as he is the best of the best.. I told myself I don't need a shoulder to cry on - or a hand holder, I need a guy who is damn good at what he does. ;o) Anyway... wait... it's not fun, but start calling at week two. Usually its not more than 14 days.
fingers crossed for you.

Results are usually ready in a few days, not weeks. Call and push to get a copy as soon as it is ready. But Canada might have different policies on when and how results are communicated.

Here it tends to run around 2 weeks.

Thanks so much everyone. I'm hoping its nothing too. I will call back in 2 weeks to see what I could do. I know they don't provide biopsy results just like that over the phone though, whether good or bad...

This is really for down the road. If you are still uncertain about the results, you can ask your family doctor to refer you to a specific doctor at the Head and Neck Clinic at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto for a second opinion. The husband of a friend of mine was suspected of having nasopharyngeal cancer. They weren't happy with their ENT who seemed more interested in selling them a CPAP machine (!), so they went back and asked their family doctor for a referral to the Head and Neck Clinic at PMH. It took about six weeks but they did get in. It does seem that you need to know which doctor you want to see. Have a look at the website of PMH if you ever want to do this.

That, is actually very helpful gmcraft, thank you so much! I think I will do just that...

Dr. Jonathan Irish is tops in his field at PMH... Hugs

Thanks Cheryl! I'll look into that as well.

I gotta say this is going to be a long 3 weeks. No matter what I try to do to distract myself it's always at the back of my mind...

I was reading on a website that the amount of sexual partners you have increases your chances of getting HPV16. Males more likely than females. I've had about 8 sexual partners, 8! Oral sex was rarely ever safe... only penetrative was... I guess I was fooling myself into thinking I was being safe with penetrative sex and thats all that mattered.

There was always very little resources regarding HPV and oral cancer connection when I first became sexually active. It was all about cervical cancer. Only recently this is coming to light.

Ugh 3 damn weeks... 3 damn weeks...