#27722 09-07-2005 05:17 PM | Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 1 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 1 | my mom is visiting and just had her yearly check up for the tongue cancer that was removed a long time ago. Today she showed the doc (nose/throat specialist) her most recent finding - a 3 week old ulcer on the tip of her tongue. He has scheduled biopsy right away (day after tomorrow) even though it's not certain that it's cancer. He says this may impede her speech, but it has to come out. I read that some dentists use CDx or brush biopsy with accurate results (and there are other types too). Should she be asking for a lesser procedure, considering her 1st time there was quite a bit removed, and this caused numbness, speech difficulties, sensitivity etc... | | |
#27723 09-07-2005 05:41 PM | Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 | Hello and welcome!
I'm also from Virginia, what part are you living in? I'm in Virginia Beach.
The brush biopsy is popular now but I'm also big on trusting my doctors. Is this her doctor of many years and do you trust him? Talk to him, ask him about the brush biopsy. Then go from there.
I don't believe the tip of the tongue is a common place for oral cancer so keep that positive thought in your head.
Tell us more about your mom. How old is she, how long ago did she have oral cancer, what type of treatment, etc.
Take care,
Minnie
SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.
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#27724 09-07-2005 06:38 PM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 134 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 134 | Hello Daughter of Graciela,
I am praying for you and your mom. Hope all is well and that it isnt cancer.
Minnie, How are you doing? I hope you are doing well.
Stephany
Stephany.Daughter of mother who passed away 3/26/05 from Recurrent Gum Squamous Cell Carcinoma. She had 3 surgeries, and 6 weeks radiation, and then passed due to infection. I miss her very much. She was 65 years young when she passed. Love you Mom!
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#27725 09-08-2005 02:56 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Hi,
With an ulcer that has not healed in 3 weeks, I would say that a scalpel biopsy is in order. From my experience with the brush biopsies done in our office, the results would probably come back as "atypical cells" requiring aditional follow-up. Then she would have to have the scalpel biopsy anyway. With your mom's history of tongue cancer, this would be the best approach. It's worth it for the peace of mind.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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#27726 09-08-2005 04:18 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 65 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 65 | The CDx brush biopsy is not a definitive test and even if it comes back positive it still has to be followed by an incisional biopsy. (Oral CDx protocol, not my opinion) Why go through the delays of a brush biopsy to only end up with a result that isn't final. I am unsure why a biopsy would cause a speech impediment since they can take a very minimal amount f tissue to get enough sample. Maybe they meant for a short period of time while it healed....
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
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