Hi Chopsy,

This must of been a shock for you, 

We can all offer you advice and support, you will get through it, your body will heal and a normal life is possible as others have said.

After your op's the hospital will give advice on what exercises you need to do, keep on the move and try to focus on the end result, while taking each day as it comes.

There will be times when you feel horrible and down, but keep focusing on getting to a good stage of recovery.

Keep us updated, you wan't to get it over and done with, they should give you a surgery date soon.

The best of luck to you.

Hi folks thanks for the info. Nicola I already had some surgery as they thought it was pre cancer displacia. When they sent it to the lab they discovered it was in fact a cancer. I don't think the tongue surgery will be as radical as yours as the tumours small. However it looks as though its spread to at least 1 node hence the neck surgery. I should get a surgery date on Monday. Tongue and neck at same time. I'm being treated in Kimarnock Ayrshire with a very experienced doctor.  .. .   .  .   .    .   .  . . . . . . . Gordon

I noticed it's been a few months since anyone posted on the discussion so I just wanted to give you a warm welcome to the forum and let you know your post hasn't been missed :)

I'm sorry to read that your doctors may have found a cancerous growth on the back of your tongue recently whilst you're having treatment for your myeloma and can completely understand your apprehension, as will many others here on the forum, and hopefully now that I've replied to your post others will pop by soon to offer their support.

The wait will seem long but try and stay busy in the run up to your appointment if you can as it does help time pass ever so slightly quicker.

We'll have our fingers crossed the biopsy results bring good news when the time comes myeloma. Do let us know what happens if you can.

Kind regards, 

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

hi, first time poster after recently joining the forum. I’ve been recently diagnosed with cancerous tumour on the base of my tongue after noticing a swelling on my neck. Diagnosed as being caused by HPV. Overall very healthy so this has hit me like a ton of bricks. I’m pragmatic by nature so am just getting on with it as best I can. Had my biopsy a couple of weeks back and am booked in for Da Vinci surgery on 26th. Just last night I was coughing up some blood/phlegm...was quite scary. Anyone had any experience of this? Also for my radiotherapy, it’s a round trip of 2 hours to the hospital, as I’m self employed this isn’t ideal! There is a new cancer treatment centre about 15 mins from me. Does anyone know if I could switch my radiotherapy from the hospital to the new centre? Thanks for reading my question and for any replies. Mark

Hello Mark, I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis but you have come to the right place to get tremendous support.  Like you, the first sign that I had cancer was finding a lump on my neck which was totally painless and I had no idea that anything was going on in my throat, so likewise it all came as a massive shock.  My diagnosis was 31st October 2013, my treatment (combined chemo and radio-therapy) started on 23rd December and ended on 31st January 2014 so I have just reached the magic 5 year mark and was completely discharged from hospital checkups last week. 

You will see a bunch of people in my profile picture.  These are some marvellous friends I made on this forum.  If you search for Nicola's thread ("Tongue Cancer - Diagnosed two days ago" with almost 800 posts) you will find us all sharing experiences and tips for getting through the treatment.  I can't deny that it was gruelling with some very low days, but I thank my lucky stars that I was able to have it and am now considered cured.  Our gang first met up in London in 2015, again in Liverpool in 2017 and we are celebrating our 5 year anniversary in Edinburgh on 13th April.  We are spread all over the UK: me in Perth, Nicola in Bristol, Simon (real name is Dave) then in Essex but now Lincs, Gary (Guzzle) in Liverpool and Gary (Vatch) in Suffolk.  We have also been joined by a lovely friend of Guzzle's who has had skin cancer.  You would be more than welcome to join us in Edinburgh if you feel up to it although it is probably rather soon after your treatment.  I would certainly ask your doctor whether it might be possible to change your treatment to the new centre.  I had to travel 40 minutes each way and it would have been far easier to be a bit closer to home.  I wish you all the very best with your treatment Mark.  Please have a read of Nicola's thread and Gary's blog: gammaraygary.wordpress.com/.../ 

Don't worry too much about the blood/phlegm, as there will be lots of ups and downs along the way but do tell your medical team everything you are experiencing. 

I well remember the worst part was waiting for test resuts.  Ironically, on the very 5 year anniversary of my last treatment, I received news that my recent bowel screening sample was positive so I'm about to have a colonoscopy on Tuesday - you couldn't make it up?!  Absolutely no connection with my head and neck cancer so I could not believe my bad luck and the unbelievable timing.  It put a bit of a damper on my last head & neck all/clear appointment.  Fingers tightly crossed there is nothing sinister going on at other end (which I'm told is highly unlikely with no other symptoms, but I do need to have the test just to be sure).  So I'm hoping that come Tuesday evening (they will tell me there and then what they find) I will be punching the air putting the whole cancer experience firmly behind me.  Let me know how you get on re switching treatment hospital and feel free to offload/ask questions.  Sending you positive vibes and best wishes, Irene.

Hi Chopsy1

I myself have just had the laser surgery 5 days ago to remove severe dysplasia from the left side of my tongue. Im in a bit of discomfort with it as it their was quite alot removed. I am still waiting to hear back on my results from that operation. Im praying its good news. How are you holding up? 

Isla xx

Hello Isla, I hope your recovery is going well.  Just curious about your speech and eating, that was my main concern after my op.  

I had a tumour lasered out from under my tongue in January, and I was only in hospital 2 nights.  I've a bit difference with s sounds but nothing too noticeable. 

Hope you're otherwise doing well.    Colin.