Hello everyone. This is actually my first time every communicating on a live forum. I recently found out that my mother has tongue cancer. She's 51 and a life long smoker. Cancer is extremely prevelant in our family. She had the sore for a little over a year. When it first started bothering her she showed it to her PCP. Her PCP told her it was nothing and not to worry about it because people who have had a diagnosis of Hep C often get sores on their tongue. My mother's Hep C has been in remission for quite a few years now (thank the lord). So, needless to say, nothing was done. My mother said that the sore eventually stopped bothering her so she just let it go since the PCP told her not to worry about it. It recently started hurting again and her dentist referred her to an oral surgeon. She had a biopsy last week and they said they have to go back because they didn't get it all. My question is...what are the different "types" of tongue cancer. I can't seem to find a site that specifically lists the types. She said the surgeon told her that hers starts with a "v". I can't find any type that starts witn a "v." The surgeon also told her that she has the type that does not spread at all and that it's only in one place. Now, from the material I read, there is a chance it can spread. So why he would tell her that I don't know.
Any info or guidance would be greatly apprieciated.

Take Care Everyone

What!?!?! I've had hep C for decades and this is the first time I EVER have heard of mouth or tongue sores from it. PCP's are among the LEAST qualified. They're great for strained wrists and bunions. I wouldn't even trust a dentist or oral surgeon. Go to an ENT or Head & Neck surgeon, preferably, and a comprehensice cancer center. Tongue cancer is nothing to screw around with.

80%, or more of, all oral cancers are Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC). Less common are Adenocarcinoma.

Almost all cancers have the capability of spreading - thet are genetically programmed to do that. With your mothers extensive smoking and family history and the PCP's advice, I would contact a lawyer immediately. His advice and lack of referal reeks of malpractice. His degree of irresponsibility is stunning.

In the image section of this website there is one of a diagnosis of verrucous carcinoma. Is that what the surgeon said?