Tongue Biopsy. Waiting on results

Hello All,

         It was last wednesday that I went to the oral surgeon to have a biopsy done on my tongue where I have some white patches/spots on the top and forward section of my tongue.  I am only 30 years old, but having drank and smoked quite a bit for the past 10 years, I am quite concerned to say the least given the increased chances that smokers and drinkers have of getting oral cancer.  

         The white patches appear to be the only symptom I have.  There is nothing else and no pain at all. I have a follow up appointment on the 2nd of August to go over my biopsy results.  Quite a long time to wait really to find out whether or not you have cancer.  I was wondering about people's experiences whether they were diagnosed with cancer or not.   Do people who get diagnosed with cancer receive their results early?  Just kind of wondering in the back of my head that if I don't hear anything before my appointment that it is likely to be a sign of good news.  

    Also if you have/had any bad habits like I do, did you give them up before you got your biopsy resuits?  I've already ditched the cigarrettes even before my biopsy.  Giving up the drink has been even harder but I stopped drinking so much after my biopsy.  Its really hard giving these things up especially with a rather stressful job.  Not really sure what to do tomorrow as I have a tradition with people from my workplace to go have a pint or two at lunchtime on Fridays.  Naturally with the uncertainty regarding my health, I am inclined to not go or just have a coke.  I will probably get lots of awkward questions as of to why I'm not drinking.  Not sure whether to lie or just tell them what's going on.  At the moment, since I don't know anything, I don't want others to worry about me.  Did you wait to tell anyone you know about even having the biopsy until you knew what the results were?

 

Many Thanks

Parents
  • Hello Expat. I hope you went out today and spent time with your friends from work,   I just want to say that i am recovering from tongue cancer I am not or never have been a drinker or smoker so when " they say" it is a smoker/drinkers cancer they are wrong...I was told that i was in the wrong catagory didnt tick the boxes so we will send for you again in 10 to 12 weeks but absolutly nothing to worry about returned 12 weeks later had an understudy take a biopsy  by this time i had earache as well told no nothing to do with tougne go see your doctor again about your ear its nothing to do with your tongue and again you have nothing to worry about this is NOT cancer we will have results in 3 weeks time. returned to be told we will take another biopsy as we didnt take enough so another one taken.. returned 3 weeks later no its not cancer but it could turn nasty if not treated  we will bring you back and remove it my husband said no  she has been through enough and the earache every day my wife has been coming to you since May it is now September Oh that long...ok go have a cup of tea come back I will remove it in half an hour. Brought back 3 weeks later to be told sorry it is cancer we will bring you in and operate might have to do skin graft. the point im making here is to be told you dont smoke/drink your not in the right catagory is crazy and the earache was caused by the cancer it is the same nerve from ear to tongue this cancer is more common now than ever I dont mean to frighten you Expat but if you are diagnosed with this remember you will get through it its tough but you will get through it...keep your family and friends close as we all need someone to help us when things get tough...and this chatline is a great help too...god bless D.

  • Hi Expat,

    I put some respones to your questions. 

    Results wise, I got my results quickly, my consultant sped up the results and I had them within a week of biospy. 

    I don't think it would make a difference if you give up bad habbits before a biopsy. But regardless of the result, you should try to give them up anyway if you can.

    I had to have time off work for the biospy half a day, so I told them I was having it but nothing more until I got the result.

    Cancer does not have to relate to anything we have done, sometimes it just happens. I was 23, hardly drunk and did not smoke. That being said however, now I am recovered, I have the odd drink. You can't live in fear, more so when in the 20's/30's.

    Please keep us updated, good luck.

  • Hi Stokemale

    try and chill out drs most if time do know what they are looking at .in my case my local dr put me straight into the 14 day cancer pathway due to swollen protruding lymph node .best advise u can give you in keep off dr google the information is not regulated. If yiu mustvsurf stick to cancer U.K. sit and  Macmillan. 

    Good luck  don’t fret until you have news from biopsy easy for me to say but believe me I’ve been there and done it. Tonsil cancer last year with multiple lymph nodes given all clear in January 

    Hazel  come back and update please 

     

     

     

  • Hi Stokemate

    I think we post all over the place anyway so no worries about hijacking.

    Probably there is nothing we can say that will calm things down for you. Your Doc would not have said he doubts that its anything to worry about if he thought otherwise. Its no bad thing that he decided on biopsy to back up what he thinks.Remember he sees oral stuff every working day so he knows what he is talking about :-)

    Also waiting a couple of weeks for your appt would seem to indicate he doesnt see it as urgent,of course could just be a very busy dept. I was told one to two weeks but they phoned me to come back same day.

    Best advice I can give you is dont jump ahead of yourself take things a step at a time. Its very early days 2weeks to biopsy then further two weeks for results of that,so you would be torturing yourself for a month.

    Anything you want to ask just ask away we are here to share our experiences,much safer than Doc Google. xx

  • Dear Clara    Hello how are things going for you? So long from weve spoke I pray you are a lot better than you where and able to eat...I have thought about you so very often...Best Wishes to you Clara your friend deexo

  • Hi Dee.

    Good to hear from you,hope you are well.

    I am eating not too bad,so long as I watch what Im having. Things like bread are difficult or near impossible as you said. Its a case of eating what you know you can rather than something you fancy.

    I hate the numbness on face and neck I am really hoping the nerves heal and it improves. The skin is stone cold to touch too,did you have that after surgery?

    My daughter collected her new puppy today,she sent pics of her, so adorable :-)

    I got the house on with estate agent so fingers crossed that they find a buyer,one less worry then.

    Well Dee please keep in touch keep well my friend xxx

  • Quick update from myside, went for my biopsy last Monday 29th April, not as bad as i expected & 1 week on pretty much healed, they said path lab very busy & booked appointment for 4th June to go back for results. Ppl say if it's urgent they'll get in touch before this, guess what, had a call today, results are back & a slot has become free next Tue, im now very anxious!

  • Try not to worry too much, it's just that someone has probably cancelled - even though my results were negative for cancer, I still had to go in to be told the results, it's normal. They are just filling an available space, I'm sure you will be fine. But let us know how you get on.

  • Hi try not too worry until you have something to worry about resist Dr google plessecas info on there can’t be trusted you will scare yourself morr

    keeo in touch 

    hszel

     

  • Hi Clara how are you doingv? We are back in U.K. now wet n garden needs weeding   Had eNT appointment today camera up nose all good no signs of reoccurrence down there. Hope to hear  from you soon 

    h xx

  • Hi Stokemale,

    Good to hear your biopsy was bearable and has healed well.

    4th June was a pretty long stretch for an appointment but, having said that I had a fast track referal in NOV and didnt get an appt till JAN. Consultant says clinics at bursting point hmm like a ghost town everytime Im there!

    Please dont take on board what people say that if its urgent they will get in touch. It doesnt work that way.

    Getting anxious is a very normal way to feel waiting for your results, we`ve all been there so we know exactly how you feel.

    I prepared myself to hear `the worst` at my results appt and for me it helped I was very calm and collected Dr kept staring at me thinking I had`nt taken it in(or perhaps a bit dim) Lol

    We are here for you,remember anytime you need to chat or vent or whatever.

    Let us know how it goes will be thinking of you next Tues.

     

  • Hi H

    Good to hear from you. Thats one thing that doesnt fail in the UK Weeds! But nice to be home in your own place ye.

    So happy that your appt went well :-) Its so good to hear positive news!

    Take care keep well xxx

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