1. < Head & Neck Cancer

Tongue cancer

Posted by angiev @angiev, Apr 16, 2012

I have stage 1 squamous cell tumor in my tongue. Anybody have any experience with that? I have never smoked or chewed tobacco.

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suzyhok | @suzyhok | Apr 23, 2012

I was just diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma ... A quarter size lesion on the side of my tongue near my molar on the left side. I smoked about 43 years ago but stopped and drink wine occasionally... And no STDs... I've been married 45 years in June to the same great guy. I turned 65 in Feb.
I'm at the very beginning of this journey... Saw the ENT last Fri after a biopsy that showed malignancy that was done by an oral surgeon. The ENT looked in my mouth and inserted a tube to look behind the lesion and thinks that's all there is and says he can get it with surgery, but scheduled a CT/PET scan for next Wed to make sure thats all there is... and suggested a 2nd opinion from a radiologist/oncologist but can't get in until May 1. He hasn't pronounced a stage yet...
So the fun begins! I'm trying very hard to keep a positive attitude and have asked family to do,the same. My hubby has been fantastic. I'm so lucky!

REPLY
3 replies
China | @china | Apr 23, 2012
In reply to @suzyhok "I was just diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma ... A quarter size lesion on the side..." + (show)
@suzyhok

I was just diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma ... A quarter size lesion on the side of my tongue near my molar on the left side. I smoked about 43 years ago but stopped and drink wine occasionally... And no STDs... I've been married 45 years in June to the same great guy. I turned 65 in Feb.
I'm at the very beginning of this journey... Saw the ENT last Fri after a biopsy that showed malignancy that was done by an oral surgeon. The ENT looked in my mouth and inserted a tube to look behind the lesion and thinks that's all there is and says he can get it with surgery, but scheduled a CT/PET scan for next Wed to make sure thats all there is... and suggested a 2nd opinion from a radiologist/oncologist but can't get in until May 1. He hasn't pronounced a stage yet...
So the fun begins! I'm trying very hard to keep a positive attitude and have asked family to do,the same. My hubby has been fantastic. I'm so lucky!

Jump to this post

You are a role model. I smoke and you don't. Really unfair but you keep that attitude and cancer will lose.

REPLY
suzyhok | @suzyhok | Apr 23, 2012
In reply to @suzyhok "I was just diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma ... A quarter size lesion on the side..." + (show)
@suzyhok

I was just diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma ... A quarter size lesion on the side of my tongue near my molar on the left side. I smoked about 43 years ago but stopped and drink wine occasionally... And no STDs... I've been married 45 years in June to the same great guy. I turned 65 in Feb.
I'm at the very beginning of this journey... Saw the ENT last Fri after a biopsy that showed malignancy that was done by an oral surgeon. The ENT looked in my mouth and inserted a tube to look behind the lesion and thinks that's all there is and says he can get it with surgery, but scheduled a CT/PET scan for next Wed to make sure thats all there is... and suggested a 2nd opinion from a radiologist/oncologist but can't get in until May 1. He hasn't pronounced a stage yet...
So the fun begins! I'm trying very hard to keep a positive attitude and have asked family to do,the same. My hubby has been fantastic. I'm so lucky!

Jump to this post

Thank you so much... Those words "...keep that attitude and cancer will lose" is my new mantra!

REPLY
angiev | @angiev | Apr 23, 2012
In reply to @suzyhok "I was just diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma ... A quarter size lesion on the side..." + (show)
@suzyhok

I was just diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma ... A quarter size lesion on the side of my tongue near my molar on the left side. I smoked about 43 years ago but stopped and drink wine occasionally... And no STDs... I've been married 45 years in June to the same great guy. I turned 65 in Feb.
I'm at the very beginning of this journey... Saw the ENT last Fri after a biopsy that showed malignancy that was done by an oral surgeon. The ENT looked in my mouth and inserted a tube to look behind the lesion and thinks that's all there is and says he can get it with surgery, but scheduled a CT/PET scan for next Wed to make sure thats all there is... and suggested a 2nd opinion from a radiologist/oncologist but can't get in until May 1. He hasn't pronounced a stage yet...
So the fun begins! I'm trying very hard to keep a positive attitude and have asked family to do,the same. My hubby has been fantastic. I'm so lucky!

Jump to this post

keep us posted. I will post something next week after my surgery. I am anxious but hopeful. just trying to rest and eat so i don't lose too much. i have found that smoothies are very soothing.make sure you don't wait too long to take pain meds.

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EJM | @ejm | Apr 27, 2012

Stage 1 tongue cancer describes a cancer of the tongue smaller than 2 cm in greatest dimension which has not yet metastasized to the lymph nodes. Stage 1 tongue cancers are treated most commonly with surgical excision with completely clean margins (edges) and sometimes removal of neck lymph nodes. With this treatment, the prognosis is usually excellent with more than 90% of patients cured of their tumor at this stage. At the Mayo Clinic, we have extensive experience in treatment of early and advanced stage oral cavity cancer- we have a multidisciplinary team of otolaryngology/head and neck surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, speech and swallowing therapists, and physical therapists who work together to optimize the treatment and outcomes. We would be happy to assist you in your care if you desire an appointment. EJ Moore, MD

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1 reply
leedurbin | @leedurbin | May 3, 2012

I completed 7 weeks of radiation and 3 chemo treatments for a Stage 4 Squamous Cell golf ball size tumor at the base of my tongue. I am happy to say I am now cancer free and recouping every day. Surgery was not an option for me because of the size so if they say they can get it with surgery, count yourself as BLESSED!!!!! Dr. Stephen Ko at Mayo is the best doctor I have ever had in my life - he saved my life, well, he had a lot of Help from God 🙂 Good luck in your treatment.

REPLY
1 reply
desouzaj1 | @desouzaj1 | Feb 15, 2021
In reply to @ejm "Stage 1 tongue cancer describes a cancer of the tongue smaller than 2 cm in greatest..." + (show)
@ejm

Stage 1 tongue cancer describes a cancer of the tongue smaller than 2 cm in greatest dimension which has not yet metastasized to the lymph nodes. Stage 1 tongue cancers are treated most commonly with surgical excision with completely clean margins (edges) and sometimes removal of neck lymph nodes. With this treatment, the prognosis is usually excellent with more than 90% of patients cured of their tumor at this stage. At the Mayo Clinic, we have extensive experience in treatment of early and advanced stage oral cavity cancer- we have a multidisciplinary team of otolaryngology/head and neck surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, speech and swallowing therapists, and physical therapists who work together to optimize the treatment and outcomes. We would be happy to assist you in your care if you desire an appointment. EJ Moore, MD

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Hi my uncle has just started chemo for cancer that started on the tongue. He is getting very bad pain in his head. I am not able to understand what's causing it and whether there's an yy connection between the cancer and his headache. Appreciate if someone could help.

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1 reply
gdawg | @gdawg | Feb 15, 2021
In reply to @leedurbin "I completed 7 weeks of radiation and 3 chemo treatments for a Stage 4 Squamous Cell..." + (show)
@leedurbin

I completed 7 weeks of radiation and 3 chemo treatments for a Stage 4 Squamous Cell golf ball size tumor at the base of my tongue. I am happy to say I am now cancer free and recouping every day. Surgery was not an option for me because of the size so if they say they can get it with surgery, count yourself as BLESSED!!!!! Dr. Stephen Ko at Mayo is the best doctor I have ever had in my life - he saved my life, well, he had a lot of Help from God 🙂 Good luck in your treatment.

Jump to this post

I am 4 months post radiation/chemo, and I was wondering how long it took for you to start eating again due to the dry mouth? I've still got a feeding tube but plan on drinking ensure to get rid of the tube.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 7, 2021
In reply to @desouzaj1 "Hi my uncle has just started chemo for cancer that started on the tongue. He is..." + (show)
@desouzaj1

Hi my uncle has just started chemo for cancer that started on the tongue. He is getting very bad pain in his head. I am not able to understand what's causing it and whether there's an yy connection between the cancer and his headache. Appreciate if someone could help.

Jump to this post

@desouzaj1, how is your uncle doing? Did his medical team find the cause of his headache?

@gdawg, here are a few discussions that you may wish to join:
- Saliva and dry mouth https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/saliva-and-dry-mouth/
- After radiation: Tracheotomy, feeding tube and hard to swallow https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/after-radiation/
- Soft Food Suggestions https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/soft-food-suggestions/

How are you doing with dry mouth? Have you been able to remove the feeding tube?

REPLY
1 reply
gdawg | @gdawg | Mar 9, 2021
In reply to @colleenyoung "@desouzaj1, how is your uncle doing? Did his medical team find the cause of his headache?..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@desouzaj1, how is your uncle doing? Did his medical team find the cause of his headache?

@gdawg, here are a few discussions that you may wish to join:
- Saliva and dry mouth https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/saliva-and-dry-mouth/
- After radiation: Tracheotomy, feeding tube and hard to swallow https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/after-radiation/
- Soft Food Suggestions https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/soft-food-suggestions/

How are you doing with dry mouth? Have you been able to remove the feeding tube?

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Basically the same with dry mouth. Having another tube put in later this month. They want me to intake 2500 calories a day and I can't get enough food down to cover that.

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