I'm new to this. Anyone out there with a similar situation. I'm 36, no risk factors, diagnosed with stage 1 tongue cancer two months ago. Had surgery last week with clear margins. I know I'm lucky-just confused and scared it may return.

I'll be the first . . .Sorry you had to find this board, but it sounds as if things are well under control for you. I am new to this myself, so there isn't much that I can say, really. Rest assured, though, that you are NOT alone. There are many in this boat and in no time they will be here at your side.

Tim

Hello Kim,

Nice to hear a dx of stage 1. Are the doctors planning any radiation after you heal from the surgery? I'm not sure of the guidelines for stage 1 cancer with clear margins.

Welcome to the best website on the net about oral cancer. You can use the search engine and find many postings that may answer any questions you have.

Hoping all goes well, Danny Boy

Hi...I am so sorry about your misfortune, and congratulations on the early diagnosis and treatment. My situation was similar, but only similar. I am 35 yrs old, quit smoking 5 years ago, drinking 8 years ago, diagnosed 4 months ago. I do have a bit of family history also (grandfather, laryngeal...dx'd in his 30's, lived to be 70). There are also some other risk factors as well that I am sure you will find if you aren't already aware. I was a stage 2, surgical excision w/clear margins and neck dissection as well. I can relate to your fears of recurrence, for I have the same, however, I realize that alot of it is only in my head and useless worry. Every little burn, bite of the tongue etc. I fear is IT! It is my understanding (mostly from this site) that this gets better with time. It already has, somewhat, for me. I wish you the very best in your recovery from surgery and road to good health. My prayers are with you...

Do not allow fear of Cancer rule your consciousness. Worry the heck out of your ENT, make them schedule monthly follow-up exams for the first year, and be vigillant. Most of all trust God and pray for good health.
Darrell

Hi,

I had a stage I, lateral border of the tongue, scc removed on 4/6/05. I am 59. Clear borders and in fact no cells in the excised tongue. It appears that all the cells were removed in the biosy. I had 30 nodes removed (all clear) with a modified neck resection. You didn't mention anything about your nodes. Did you have any removed? My surgeon's protocol is to remove them, but it is not always the case with all docs in a Stage I situation. Where was the cancer on your tongue?

It's great that you are on the computer already..it took me about 2 weeks before I even felt like sitting at my desk.

Welcome to the "lucky" club. Being scared is normal, but you caught it early and the chances are excellent that you will be fine.

Since I'm about 5-6 weeks ahead of you with recovery, if you would like to talk, send me an email with your phone number and I will give you a call.

Jerry

Hello,

I was diagnosed with stage I SCC of the tongue and had clean margins at surgery and a modified neck dissection with 48 clear lymph nodes. It took almost a year for my fear of a recurrence to subside to the point where I wasn't checking my tongue in the vanity mirror of my car 100 times every day. (I spend about six hours every day in my car for work.) It has been two years since my diagnosis and on 7/1 it will be two years since my surgery. Now I check my tongue in the mirror in my car about once a week. I often wonder what the people in cars next to me must think of me poking, prodding and contorting my tongue in front of the mirror.

Barb

Barb, I wonder if that "rear view mirror tongue check" would make a good picture for an oral cancer awareness poster. Someone cleaver could really run with this! Amy

Rats, I did it again. I know how to spell clever. Amy