To all kind hearted and Lion hearted members;
I badly need your wishes; I am a 37 year old male; having a non-healing lesion on the lateral part of tongue. Have been noticing this lesion for the last 8 weeks; visited at least 3 ENTs and 4 Dentists and finally forced one of the Oral surgeson to do a biopsy. All of them think that it may be because of my molar tooth (which is sharp) rubbing against the tongue although couple of dentists grinded the teeth 3 weeks back but the ulcer refused to heal.

Having a biopsy on 4/15 and might get the results back on 4/18. Need your wishes and I hope it does not turn out to be cancer.. Cannot afford to be out of job for even a month.. i am really worried for my wife and 8 year old son...

Hi Balakal:
Prayers from me headed your way for a negative biopsy. Even though several ENTs, dentists have looked at it and hopefully what they diagnosed is correct, you are doing the right thing by having a biopsy. I can tell you'll go nuts waiting for the results - I always do too so I can't tell you to relax, but ask them if they could get the results sooner than 3 days - maybe call and bug the oral surgeon's nurse late the next day and see if she'll find out results. Anyway, you definitely have my prayers.
julieann

Wait - your sig says you've already been diagnosed with scc... Have you? According to your message you have a biopsy this week... ? How did they diagnose you with cancer without a Biopsy?

Also let me say this to you- I was you - I had a non healing area on my tongue for years - I too though it might be from rubbing against a cap that was put on a molar. I had that thing filed three or four times and the area biopsied once... Came back inflamed tissue. Problem still persisted. They though it might be allergies. I was tested... My second biopsy came back cancer.

If it persists deal with it. Don't leave it. The is a bit of a debate and discussion going on about whether chronic irritation can cause cancer - I have none of the precursors for oral cancer... There are a few of us here... I believe that chronic irritation can cause cancer... On a biological level it makes sense. I also found it listed on a web site as a cause. I'm not saying it is cancer... But if a biopsy says it is then do what you have to to treat it. Usually this type of cancer requires surgery. And depending on the final pathology result possibly radiation and chemo. I understand the possibility of being out of work is scary but your family would suffer more if they don't have you.

Your health is primary. I am not sure how things work in India, but take care of yourself. Best of luck and I hope it's not cancer.

Cheryl,
Apologize for the confusion. I think I freaked out in my signature. I have modified it to show as 'Suspect for SCC'

Another question to all the members; do you always have lymph node enlargement when you are suspect for SCC or is it really not true; I don't seem to have any enlarged lymph nodes.

You would only have lymph node enlargement if the cancer has moved into your lymph nodes - if it is only in your tongue - then no. However just because the node isn't enlarged doesn't mean there aren't cancer cells there. I am not sure how large or deep the sore spot on your tongue is - if it's superficial they may just remove a portion of it and leave it assuming they get clean margins ( that means there is an area around the entire tumor that has no cancer cells) - if it's large and deep they may have to cut it out and rebuild your tongue - that's a pretty involved surgery - and it is common for them to remove a bunch of lymph nodes in your neck at the same time. If they find it in a node or two that has cancer - then they may send you for radiation and chemo. The next step after a biopsy - if it comes back positive for cancer is an MRI and/or CT scan to see if any of your nodes light up. I had both. None of my nodes lit up at the time - however by the time I had surgery - I had one node involved! So they removed 40..

Good luck Friday - hope it is just a sore tongue but even if it is keep a very close eye on it and if it doesn't heal continue to push to have it treated or removed. It can very easily turn into something dangerous. Take care

Hang in there, Balakal. Lesions in the mouth take a long time to heal in my experience, so until you know one way or the other don't assume the worst. You're doing the right thing by getting a biopsy and I know you're on pins and needles right now. Take a deep breath! We're all sending the good vibes your way - a looong way from here!

david2

Thank you, folks; I'll keep you updated on the biopsy results;

Folks; Update - I pushed my surgeon and fixed up the biopsy a day earlier (4/14).. Can't keep waiting.. the anxiety is killing me
Just a quick question - I have been using a Steroid Mouth Ulcer gel for the last few days and I have been noticing this ulcer everyday... My wife and me feel that it is starting to heal.. the reddish patch has certainly reduced and now its more of brown looking sore.. so wanted to know; if it is really is an SCC.. will it heal bcos of the Steroid ulcer gel??
I am still gonna do the biopsy even if the surgeon asks me to wait.. what do you think? Need your urgent reply guys...

Hi Balakal:
YES, definitely do have the biopsy even though it looks like it's healing - believe me, if you don't have the biopsy, you'll still have that "doubt." So, do it tomorrow and I pray for good results. Let us know.
julieann

I agreed do the biopsy - steroid creme will cut the inflammation and mask the symptoms possibly making it look better but that doesn't mean it is. A biopsy is the only way to know for sure. Good luck tomorrow -

Thank you; Julieann

I have lots and lots of questions to ask you folks in the USA; in India the healthcare system is really pathetic and Doctors are not accountable even a bit; so literally you are left to diagnose yourself... after having spent a lot of time on good medical internet sites..sometimes I wonder how come I know more than these doctors (seriously not joking)...

The doctors out here just treat the symptoms and really don't find out the cause of the issue..

Folks,
I just came back after having the biopsy; Man, it is too painful and can't talk or eat / swallow. It was a incisinial biopsy and the Lab said that results will come only on Tuesday 4/19

Can you folks tell me how I can try to get something into my stomach; it is very difficult to swallow and when I try to swallow I have shooting pain;

Folks:
I found out today (2nd day after biopsy), that I have a white patch on lateral part of the tonuge (just before the place of biopsy); it was not there earlier before biopsy; can Leukoplakia develop so fast within 24 past. it seems to be a big white patch.. please help.. i am very nervious

Balakal - If you can get some kind of total nutritional drink that's what I'd recommend. Much easier to swallow a liquid and you'll be meeting all your needs with each serving. In the US the predominant brands available at the corner drugstore are Ensure and Boost, but there are even more highly caloric ones available online. I lived on that stuff for nearly a year.

David2

PS hang in there!

It's possible that the white patch is just healing tissue. Try to relax until tuesday you should get your results then, once you have them then you'll know what to do. If the white patch is still there when you go to get your results show the dr.

Good luck!

Thanks; folks; went to an ENT today; my oral surgeon is out of town and the ENT just pulled the white patch out.. You cannot imagine this; it was a piece of cotton which was so firmly stuck in the underside of the tongue; you now know how pathetic the healthcare systems here are...
I am very very very scared and nervous till the biopsy report come out; i cannot concentrate on anything else; doctor prescribed me valium for the next 2 days; even though I had it i can't sleep
I am praying and praying; i m very much worried for my wife and son; i don't know how i am going to survive if i am diagnosed with C.. meaning no financial support

All kind hearted members:
Thank you for your prayers; I think it really worked;
The Histopath Lab just called me and read out the report.. Here it is

""Ulceration with Chronic inflammatory reaction of tongue. Features compatible with Chronic traumatic injury""

At least for me this does not look to be "C"... can you folks please tell me if All is Well?

You are fine!!!!
Congrats!!!!! You are very fortunate that you do not need our help.

Great news! Sounds as if you're in the clear. Whew!
d2

Balakal it sounds like things are good, however, please keep an eye on it. If it does not heal quickly or completely go back and have them check it again. I made the same mistake two years ago and the second time around it was cancerous. Please don't leave it if it doesn't heal.

Good luck.

Thanks folks;
I am still having pain in the area where the biopsy was done; not able to chew / swallow; i hope it goes away; suture will be removed on 4/21.

If you think i can contribute anything in the forum area; please let me know.

Balakal:
Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee - from what you said, it sounds like you do not have cancer - NOW RELAX
julieann