#90432 02-21-2009 05:52 PM | Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 1 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 1 | I have never had oral cancer but i'm a bit paranoid right now and could use some help. The night before last i thought i had a canker sore on my tongue. A bit painful of course but nothing that wouldn't go away on it's on within a few days, but the next day instead of a canker the left part of my tongue near the tip was swollen. Like when i gently press it or bite down on it it isn't squishy like a normal tongue it feels like there is something there and when i press the left side of my throat it hurts too. It hurts to eat and chew because when things brush against my tongue it is like this sharp bitter pain. Should i be concerned? | | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 | Were I you, I'd make an appointment with an ENT -- If it goes away before then, good, but if not, then he/she can evaluate and decide if biopsy is indicated -- A biopsy is the only sure way to tell if it is a cancer or something else.
Age 67 1/2
Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05
Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08
Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08
Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06
Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08)
Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08)
On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Do as Pete says. Twice I had a tongue infection and had to have it drained and now the blasted thing just hurts all of the time. It makes it difficult to eat. I get it checked the 10th of March at my 3 month appt.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 | How long have you had the sore spot? From what I can tell about 4-5 days. If it doesn't get better within the next week I would do as Pete says and go to an ENT. It's always better to be safe than sorry. I had a sore spot that I ignored for a year. Then I finally went to my dentist. I was stupid.
Good luck to you,
Suzanne
Suzanne
***********
T1 SCC on right side of tongue
Age 31...27 when diagnosed
4 partial glossectomies
No chemo or radiation
Biopsy on 2/2/10-Clear
Surgery needed again...no later than April 2011
Loving life and just became a mother on 11/25/10
It's not what we CAN'T do..it's what we CAN do:)
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 489 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 489 | Suzanne
You were not stupid. Most of us had no reason to think that a sore spot on our tongue, or a place that our dental partial rubbed was cancer. We were not educated or aware, but we were not stupid.
Ophelia you have responses here from three of the wisest men in this group and they all say the same thing, get an appointment and have it looked at. Please do.
Patty
48
SCC Floor of Mouth 7/06
9/06 Surgery, bilateral neck dissection, 58 nodes clear PT2pN0pMx
35 rad 2006
Recurred 6/08, 1 Carboplatin, 1 Cisplatin
Surgery 9/08 - Total glossectomy, free flap from pectoral muscle, left mandible replaced using fibula
35 IMRT & Erbitux 11/08
4/15/09 recurrence
6/1/09 passed away, rest in peace
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 | Get it checked out ASAP...don't fool around
7-16-08 age 37@Dx, T3N0M0 SCC 4.778cm tumor, left side of oral tongue, non smoker, casual drinker, I am the 4th in my family to have H&N cancer
8-13-08 left neck dissection and 40% of tongue removed, submandibular salivary gland & 14 nodes clean, no chemo, IMRTx35
11-4-08 Recovering & feeling better
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | The general rule as stated above is if there is something not normal in your mouth that doesn't go away in 2 weeks, it should be biopsied. You should get a professional opinion as soon as possible from a dentist, oral surgeon or ENT. It might take you a week or more to get the appointment, so call tomorrow.
Where are you located in PA?
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"
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 23 Member | | Member
Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 23 | Not me personally, but my mom waited about 2 weeks...with a sore spot on her tongue. She went to dentist and 5 days later we were at the ENT in University of Iowa Hospital. DONT WAIT>>>> | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Smart people in Iowa....where is Iowa anyway? Potatoes and wrestling capital of the world.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 23 Member | | Member
Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 23 | IOWA is corn my friend...not potatoes!!!! Wrestling yes...Dan Gable.....sunny and warm here well warm for us is 50 degrees...Gettin ready to put the crops in april/may!!! | | |
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