Tongue cancer possible

Thank you. Tongue stitches were rough, (would have been better if they’d stayed in long enough for gaping hole to heal some); but I know people go through many worse things. I’ve read and heard enough to know what cancer of tongue can entail once it turns into cancer. I wonder how people get through those treatments but I know, with strength from God, they just do.

@bdsis
hard to imagine how much worse?
did you have invasive surgery and treatment?
how did they send you home with tongue stitches?
I am surprised some days how I'm still standing.

Hi @zenren14 I have not had what is considered invasive surgery for my tongue. But I HAVE had invasive surgeries and treatments for metastatic melanoma years ago. Multiple surgeries and lymph node dissection, involving hospital stays and being sent home with drains. I remember how not fun that was but somehow it was different because I knew what to expect before the surgery. (I’m sure I was also on pain meds for at least the worst part of the pain portion.). This tongue thing did not hurt BEFORE I went in; was only a small white patch noticed by my dentist. The biopsy itself was painful, (I was not completely numb). And then had to go back in right after I got home because the stitches came out on my drive. Tongue was already hurting and then not much re numbed before when Dr stitched again. And then, those stitches came out by evening! Hole was much bigger in my tongue than I expected; and it took a long time to heal, leaving it difficult to talk and even harder to eat or drink for about a month. If it was all done after, I could have now been more at peace; but the pathology came back showing precancerous cells (moderate epithelial dysplasia on lateral right side) so it is recommended tongue be cut again or treated with CO2 laser. I was not prepared for that first cut! I will now be seeing a different doctor for a second opinion. (Interestingly enough, the dr that did the biopsy is now on “indefinite personal medical leave”. Office could not give out any more details…. 🤔. I know all will be well in the end; I am just trying the make the best decisions here with how to proceed. I don’t want more cutting obviously; but I don’t want to be stupid either. Thanks for listening. 🤗❤️

Hi @bdsis
I would go to an actual cancer center who specializes in head & neck and get a second opinion on treatment options.