Hello!

This is my first posting on this site and I was so happy to find somewhere to go as I did for my breast cancer. I have been reading a lot on this site and really appreciate all the information you share.

At this point, we have had two biospy results come back as favoring malignancy for a tumor at the base of my husband's tongue, but nothing 100%. My husband had a PET scan that had a highlight at the location where a CT scan said a suspicious mass was located. The PET was done about two weeks following an in-office biopsy of the base of his tongue. It is possible that the highlight is actually due to inflamation from the biopsy, even though it was small? Thanks!

I'm surprised that his biopsy(s) was done in an office and I'm surprised that 2 biopsy's were not conclusive. I'm also not familiar with a path report using terminology equaling "favoring malignancy". You say he had 2 biopsy's? Where/when was the second one done? Yes I would think inflammation from the bios could show up but so could the cancer depending upon how big it was.

With all this said he needs to get a conclusive answer.

Hello,

Welcome to the site. A great place to ask questions and get answers from those that have walked a similar path.

I was referred to an Oral surgeon by my PCP. The OS looked at it didn't think it was much of a concern and scheduled me for a biopsy one month later...The biopsy was performed in his office and came back positive for SCC. He referred me to an ENT that specialized in Oral cancers. That Doctor saw me within three days and performed another biopsy and exploratory surgery in the Hospital in two days. My second biopsy confirmed the depth and location of the tumor and to make sure I had no other cancers in the oral and throat regions. I was pretty sore after this one. My ENT told me the approximate size and depth immediately. I had the actual biopsy results back in two or three days. PET scan and meetings with an Oncologist and Radiologist followed within days. My ENT moved quickly and scheduled all appointments with the other specialists. His office was great. The tumor exploded in size from May to July and I'm not sure how things would have worked out if my ENT moved at a snail pace like my PCP and OS. I was lucky. I had my first rad tx today.

I hope you get an answer soon...If I was you I would see an ENT that is FAMILAR with oral cancers. Now is not the time to fool around and wait. The only way to determine what this is...is by a proper biopsy. You have questions that need answers now. Please don't be passive...I was and I was too comfortable with the words of, "You don't fit the profile..." Well, this site is full...full of people that fit my profile. My situation...I can live with...But it could have been a lot better if I was more proactive and questioned the pros.

Good luck with those answers!


Raymond

Teresa:

Welcome to OCF.

PET scans can show false positives sometimes. They can light up for an inflamation or irritation. It has happened to me and scared me to death. Biopsy results seem to be more accurate. Have you gotten a second opinion? Were both biopsies done by the same doctor? You may want to seek out another opinion to get a definitive answer.

I have had petscans show cancer in my lungs and throat. More of the false positives.

My PET showed "activity" in the upper portion of both of my lungs, which they have assumed to date was scar tissue.I've had one lung biopsy on a growing "spot", and a double on those active areas. No cancer for sure, not TB or any relation of, not mold or fungus. Not anything they tested for. I was told that the activity shown might be my antibodies reacting to the oil droplets in my lungs, which are caused by aspiration. I'm told it's called lipoid pneumonia. Like I needed another kind. I've had viral, bacterial, aspiration, and now lipoid pneumonia. Can there be any more pneumonias I should watch for?

Lani