Throat problems and base of tongue biopsy

Hello, I've recently been to see the ent about a feeling of something stuck in my throat, the doctor had a look and confirmed nothing was stuck in my throat, However he did notice that I had some swelling on one side so he sent me for an mri scan, Had the results back today and it shows the same as what he saw on the camera the base of my tongue tissue is not symmetrical with swelling on the right hand side. Now been told I need a biopsy from the base of the tongue to see if it's anything sinister . I'm an anxious person and now really scared and worried he also said I may be in some pain after the biopsy, I'm supposed to be going on holiday now so he's suggested waiting until I come back so it will be around 4 weeks, as anybody experienced anything similar as I said I'm really anxious and scared and just don't know what to do with my thoughts I've got 2 young children I just can't stop worrying.

Parents
  • Hi, 

    Just wondering what the result was and how you were after your biopsy? I'm having the same on Thursday and dreading it too.

  • Hello sorento13, my results were all clear thankfully, the procedure it's self was a bit painful and uncomfortable for about a week or so after mainly trying to eat but it soon passes, I hope everything will be ok for you, try to stay off google as it doesn't help with anxiety or worry just trust your specialist.

  • Aw, thank you so much for your quick reply. I have had a very similar experience to you in as much as the actual thing I went to the doctor with turned out to be nothing but when they did the camera through my nose they spotted that the base of my tongue was not symmetrical.  Then he immediately typed up a referral for an MRI and biopsy under anaesthetic and got me to sign the consent form there and then. Of course I started googling and came up with your post. 

    I'm so relieved that you got the all clear, did they think that your tongue was just naturally that shape? Or was there no real explanation?  Thanks again, just going for my pre op today.

  • They just said that it was likely I was born that way and there was no reason for it as not everybody is the same and you would never likely know unless you have a camera down. hopefully yours will be very similar have they said what they think?

  • Yes, he's checking for cancer. I had that appointment last Wednesday, pre op today and biopsy on Thursday. I'm dreading the biopsy (or after effects) hope it's not too painful and I can eat ok. 

  • Good luck I hope everything works out ok,try not to worry to much, did they say they suspected cancer or it's just a precaution?

  • Thank you, I think it's just a precaution because he didn't see anything apart from the swollen right side base of my tongue and he explained it should be symmetrical. Hopefully I'll get the same explanation as you and that's just how I am I'm more worried about the biopsy because next Monday I'm taking my grandchildren on holiday for five days so I hope I can eat ok or I'll be fit for nothing

  • You will be ok from my experience after the first 3 days your ok to eat again it's just a bit sore the first couple days, I've got my fingers crossed for you let me know the outcome and enjoy your holiday.

  • I had a biopsy of my tongue two weeks ago. The procedure was fine but I did have quite a bit of pain once the local anaesthetic wore off. I went to my GP and she prescribed Benzydamine mouthwash which took the pain away really quickly  and codeine to take at bedtime. So, don't suffer needlessly xx My results are back on Thursday, so I'll know what I'm facing then x

  • Hi, sorry I didn't see your post until today. Thanks for the advice, however my procedure ended up being cancelled yesterday .  As I was travelling to the hospital I got a message with an appointment for the MRI this Saturday. I said to my partner, you'd think they would do the MRI first so they can see where to take the biopsies from Anyway I went through all the admittance procedure, got my hospital nightie and pressure socks on, had the visit from the anaesthetist. I also mentioned to him that I thought they would have done the MRI first but he said no it was fine   Just about to go to theatre when the surgeon came and did his checks and he asked me if I'd had the MRI and when I told him I was having it Saturday he said we can't do it then so that was it, get dressed and go home. I know most people would be fuming but I was so relieved, although I know I'll have all the build up again next time. I'm just hoping that the MRI is totally normal and they decide ity not necessary .  Did you get your results yesterday LW70? Hope it was good news for you xx

Reply
  • Hi, sorry I didn't see your post until today. Thanks for the advice, however my procedure ended up being cancelled yesterday .  As I was travelling to the hospital I got a message with an appointment for the MRI this Saturday. I said to my partner, you'd think they would do the MRI first so they can see where to take the biopsies from Anyway I went through all the admittance procedure, got my hospital nightie and pressure socks on, had the visit from the anaesthetist. I also mentioned to him that I thought they would have done the MRI first but he said no it was fine   Just about to go to theatre when the surgeon came and did his checks and he asked me if I'd had the MRI and when I told him I was having it Saturday he said we can't do it then so that was it, get dressed and go home. I know most people would be fuming but I was so relieved, although I know I'll have all the build up again next time. I'm just hoping that the MRI is totally normal and they decide ity not necessary .  Did you get your results yesterday LW70? Hope it was good news for you xx

Children
  • Hi there, I had the MRI on Saturday and then had a great week away with my Grandchildren. While I was away the hospital rang with another appointment for the biopsy which is next Friday the 9th. Last night I decided to look at my GP records to see if the MRI results were on there. They weren't but there was a letter from the hospital to my GP which stated the preliminary diagnosis is stage 1 tongue cancer so it's not just a precaution. So the build up to the biopsy begins again, to be honest I'm more worried about the pain after than the diagnosis.  Any news from LW70?  xx