At 28+ months post treatment, my husband had an appointment with a periodontist today regarding dental issues from radiation. But this guy also has the reputation for being very good at recognizing signs of cancer early on. Anyway, he ended up being concerned about a sore and a hard lump in my husband's tongue. Kind of threw me for a loop...I had finally gotten over worrying about every doctor's appointment. He wants my husband to get in to see his ENT surgeion as soon as possible.

But he did mention the hard lump in the tongue could be from radiation. Does anyone know if, at this period of time past radiation, fibrosis or scar tissue can still be present in the tongue? Can't get in to see the ENT for a couple of weeks (he is on vacation) - so would appreciate any similar experiences, etc.

Best,
Anita

Now I'm really getting concerned. Our ENT office just called - letting us know that the periodontist called them to say that he feels that my husband should be seen as soon as possible.

I looked at the "sore" on my husband's tongue - it is a small white bump.

Thanks, Anita

Hi Anita. I have no answers for you but will be thinking of you and your husband and hoping all is well.

Blessings,
Barb~

Anita, my fingers and toes are crossed for y'all and a special prayer for you both tonite. Amy

Anita
Like the above posters I don`t have any advice to give you, my hubby and I are a year or so behind you guys in our journey. But I will be thinking of you both and hoping this turns out to be much ado about nothing.
Marica

Anita,

Please remember that even suspicious looking things can sometimes turn out to be harmless. A few months ago I had a small white bump that appeared on my gum (and reminded me way too much of what my tumor had looked like years ago in its early stages). My oral surgeon examined it, ruled out several possibilities, and ended up doing a biopsy. The results came back saying it was a benign neuroma. My doctor said he has seen quite a few of these in other patients in different areas on the tongue (usually caused by some type of chronic irritation), but this was the first he had seen on the gum. I had a pretty good idea in my case what the source of the irritation was (an over-the-counter mouth guard I had been using at night), so I've stopped using it.

I hope your husband gets clear test results that can give him (and you) some peace of mind.

Cathy

Cathy,
this white spot is on the middle of the top of his tongue, so I don't think it is caused by irritation from rubbing. However, he did just start using prescription flouride toothpaste, which he says burns his mouth. I wonder if that would be enough of an irritant to cause a bump.

Hate that we have to wait until next Wednesday to have the ENT look at it (and the hard mass in the tongue) - he is on vacation until then.

Thanks,
Anita

Anita,

Just wondering if you kept the appt on Wednesday and what happened. Hope all is well and the ENT said it is nothing to worry about.

Rosie

Thanks for asking, Rosie.
Husband changed his appointment to next Wednesday because the doctor has office hours then at a hospital that is a closer distance. I would have preferred to find out what's up earlier...but I have to let him make his own decisions, I guess.

Thanks,
Anita

So, my husband has had his appointment with the ENT. ENT is taking a "wait-and-see" approach - which I'm not feeling all that comfortable with. He wants to see him in another month to see if the areas of concern have changed.

Anita