#5885 07-27-2005 03:43 PM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | OP  Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 | Hi all, As most of you may know I had a radical neck dissection 12/2003 (for tonsilar cancer with met to lymph, 41 removed, 1 positive), radiation early 2004, and everything has been "fairly" OK since....except in the last week or two. Last week I saw a small red spot near the tip of my tongue. Didn't think much of it, and my dentist who is seeing me quite often (because of the xerostomia/demineralising/caries issues), has not commented....I think it may only be an ulcer/blister...but this morning after brushing my teeth, there was some blood, from the red spot on my tongue. My question is, should I seriously worry? I'm not panicking at present, just assuming it is something innocuous (I'll be seeing my Onc at the end of August - the 3 monthly check-up). My mouth has been a bit of a pain lately (no pun intended  ), very sensitive, an acidic type of feeling. I feel like my whole "ecosystem" is out of whack! Cheers! Tizz
End of Radiation - the "Ides of March" 2004 :-)
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#5886 07-28-2005 12:40 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 528 "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 528 | Hi Tizz
Most of the small lesions I have had in my mouth are from me biting my tongue or cheek while eating. Everything seems out of balance at times.
If I had an unexplainable one for a couple of weeks I would ring my oncology clinic and ask whether I should come in early. Better safe than sorry.
Best wishes and love from Helen
RHTonsil SCC Stage IV tx completed May 03
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#5887 07-28-2005 01:14 PM | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 349 Likes: 2 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 349 Likes: 2 | The toll it can take on you, even being nothing, is serious by itself.
Call the doc, and say...CHANGE MY DATE TO EARLIER.
Most Drs (especially Oncologists) keep open slots in their daily schedules for this exact thing.
Won't it be nice to know it's nothing?
Hugs and prayers...Michael
Michael | 53 | SCC | Right Tonsil | Dx'd: 06-10-05 | STAGE IV, T3N2bM0 | 3 Nodes R Side | MRND & Tonsillectomy 06/29/05 Dr Fee/Stanford | 8 wks Rad/Chemo startd August 15th @ MSKCC, NY | Tx Ended: 09-27-05 | Cancer free at 16+ Yrs | After-Effects of Tx: Thyroid function is 0, ok salivary function, tinnitus, some scars, neck/face asymmetry, gastric reflux. 2017 dysphagia, L Carotid stent / 2019, R Carotid occluded not eligible for stent.2022 dental issues, possible ORN, memory/recall challenges.
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#5888 07-28-2005 02:49 PM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 218 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 218 | Hi Tizz,
During my 14 month checkup today, my ENT said, that if there was any noticeable change in the tissue in my mouth (either in texture or color) or new pain, that was persistent, to call him right away. I think you should call your ENT and see him as soon as possible. It is always better to know and a month of uncertainty seems like too much.
You mention that you are seeing your oncologist at the end of August, but I would think you'd want to see your ENT. If a biopsy is in order, it would be the ENT who does it.
Best wishes and hopes that this is something insignificant. - Sheldon
Dx 1/29/04, SCC, T2N0M0
Tx 2/12/04 Surgery, 4/15/04 66 Gy. radiation (36 sessions)
Dx 3/15/2016, SCC, pT1NX
Tx 3/29/16 Surgery
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#5889 07-28-2005 03:07 PM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | OP Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 | Thankyou peoples...I'll let you know what happens (my Onc surgeon is also an ENT man). It's just back to the usual fear of not wanting to know any more, "face" any more ;-(
Cheers!
Tizz
End of Radiation - the "Ides of March" 2004 :-)
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#5890 07-31-2005 05:33 PM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | Hi Tizz, Do you have a sharp edge on a tooth in the front? I developed a red irritated area on the tip of my tongue that is because of a sharp part between two teeth. Because we don't have as much salvia these things can be worse than the "average" person would experience. By all means have it checked but the tip of the tongue is not a common area for this cancer
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
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#5891 07-31-2005 06:05 PM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | OP Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 | Hi Mark, I have heaps of sharp areas, ie, you didn't notice them until your "new" mouth grows (new tastebuds, xerostomia), and your sensitive tongue. I tend to think it may not be cancer, perhaps a bit of ulceration, mucositis or what ever...just keeping an eye on it. It hasn't bled since, just looks like a small ulceration-ish thing. It's nice watching your progression in your postscript...jealous, but I'll surpass you...the race is on Cheers! Tizz
End of Radiation - the "Ides of March" 2004 :-)
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#5892 08-01-2005 06:31 PM | Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 | Hi Tizz,
I've been told the same thing that Mark stated, that the tip of the tongue is not a typical place for this cancer.
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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#5893 08-01-2005 10:45 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Hello Tizz,
I would suggest calling for a earlier appointment. Better to catch it early and ease your mind. This is a very unforgiving diaease. Hoping it's nothing but what Mark suggested but I wouldn't count on anything with this after having cancer once in the oral cavity.
Best Wishes, Danny Boy
Daniel Bogan DX 7/16/03 Right tonsil,SCC T4NOMO. right side neck disection, IMRT Radiation x 33.
Recurrance in June 05 in right tonsil area. Now receiving palliative chemo (Erbitux) starting 3/9/06
Our good friend and loved member of the forum has passed away RIP Dannyboy 7-16-2006
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