Tongue cancer?

You must get a biopsy now. The cost will be less than $300 and insurance will pay you back when approved. Waiting will negativly effect the outcome and what you have described is not a minor issue. And please do not let fear steal time from you. Surrender your fear to the Lord and He will comfort you. Please get a biopsy and get a refetral to an oncologist today. We are all praying for you.

It can't be overemphasized that you need to have this checked out as soon as you can by an ENT, an oncologist, if possible, especially with your history. This isn't something to be ignored. The sooner you get treatment, the better the outcome. There will be delays, so make your appointment immediately. Be proactive in your healthcare. As for not knowing, if the biopsy comes back showing cancer, there will be a lot you won't know, but there will be plenty of people who do, and they are there to help. I hope this is all for naught but play it safe. Good luck

Hi there,
I too am 62 years old and was diagnosed with cancer on the base of my tongue with bilateral lymph node involvement. Mine started off as swollen nodes and difficulty swallowing with a choking sensation. I was first seen by an oncologist in March of last year but it took until June to diagnose me with Stage 3 Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. My treatment began July 21st and completed September 10th (35 radiation treatments and two rounds of cisplatin). My recent PET scan came back negative, hopefully meaning my cancer is gone. The reason I tell you this is because it is a process, and by no means a short or non-difficult one. But in the end it saved my life. The sooner you see an oncologist for a biopsy and begin treatment, the better the chance you will have of getting back on track to “normal”. Good luck.

You need a biopsy first. Your ENT can do this. Don’t mess around with anything else until you have the biopsy.

I just had surgery to remove a growth on my tongue that turned out to be squamous cell pre-cancer. This was caused by radiation for salivary cancer 15 years ago. If I had waited there is a good chance it could have developed into full blown cancer and removal of my tongue. The healing of my tongue will take months but at least I still have it. DO NOT WAIT.

@mitchhadley57 Thank you…I finally got the nerve to go see an oral surgeon. He is going to excise it. I also discovered a lump on the side of my jaw and it’s tight to open it on the same side. That’s going to be looked at Monday. I am getting scared with all of these symptoms. I just keep praying I’ll be ok. Thank you for your help. I hear you…get things looked at now. ✌️

@pampou I hear you. I am so sorry you already went through cancer once and you’re got it again. That is horrible. I finally made an appt and they are going to excise it on the 23rd. I also discovered a lump on the outside of my lower jaw abs it is right to open my jaw on the same side. I see him Monday for that. Yikes! 😬 I just keep praying I’ll be ok. Thank you for your kind words. I wish you 🍀 on staying cancer free from here on out.

@thompswp I finally went to an oral surgeon and he is going to excise it, which freaks me out, but that’s ok. I also just discovered a lump on my lower jaw and it is tight to open my mouth in the same side. I see him Monday for that. I’m getting scared. How do you deal with that?

I was refered to an oral surgeon but chose to go to an ENT who ultimately did my surgery. The growth on my tongue was pre-cancerous but would have progressed to full-blown cancer if not excised. Oral surgeons can only diagnose with a biopsy and dental insurance rarely covers as much as medical insurance. If surgery is recommended you will still have to see a ENT (head and neck) surgeon, so save time by starting there.

I know how you are feeling because I'm going threw something similar and the insurance taking long time and for me is having to wait for an available doctor to do the biopsy. In my area the ent doctor's are the only ones to do biopsy tests well since finding out I have a mass on my tongue in my throat it's been almost a month and I'm still waiting to see a doctor. My tongue hurts my mouth is always dry and I can't swollow anything but mashed potatoes and baby food I've lost 26 pounds in three weeks from not eating and no doctor seems to care.