Biopsy?

Tonita
Tonita Member Posts: 197 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I had just assumed that the oral surgeon is sending me on to the head and neck cancer specialist for the actual biopsy but I honestly don't know what to expect at the visit coming up on Wednesday.

So if anyone has been through this, what was your experience on the first visit.  Is he going to biopsy, cut the tumor (on my tongue) out, diagnose?

 

Thanks

Comments

  • swopoe
    swopoe Member Posts: 492
    #2
    The first visit for my

    The first visit for my husband to the oral surgeon was just a consult. He looked at his tongue, got his history, etc. Then they set up the appt. for the biopsy. It was a surgery where my husband was put under in the oral surgeon's office. He had to fast before hand and have someone to drive him home afterwards. So it had to be all planned out. We had the biopsy set up for one week after the initial visit. We got the results from the biopsy one week later.

  • Tonita
    Tonita Member Posts: 197 Member
    #3
    swopoe said:

    The first visit for my

    The first visit for my husband to the oral surgeon was just a consult. He looked at his tongue, got his history, etc. Then they set up the appt. for the biopsy. It was a surgery where my husband was put under in the oral surgeon's office. He had to fast before hand and have someone to drive him home afterwards. So it had to be all planned out. We had the biopsy set up for one week after the initial visit. We got the results from the biopsy one week later.

    Thanks swopoe.  Another

    Thanks swopoe.  Another wait.  My doctor sent me to an oral surgeon and I thought that he was going to do a biopsy but he looked at my tongue and sent me to the next guy.  I was hoping that some kind of biopsy would be done with him.  I suppose he could be doing it, but I just don't know.  That's the fun of it, right?

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #4
    Hi Tonita

     

    Normally likely swopoe said the oral surgeon will only do a very good detail check and send you on to another doctor for biopsy if he feels or sees something may not be right. As with me my cancer was NPC so no oral surgeon was needed just an ENT. The waiting part is hard, that is something none of like but it is part of the process.

     

     

     

    Welcome to CSN H&N

     

    Tim                      

     

  • Tonita
    Tonita Member Posts: 197 Member
    #5
    Thanks all. 
     
    The pain is so

    Thanks all. 

     

    The pain is so annoying and there doesn't seem to much one can do about that.  I've got a numbing product but haven't used it a lot.  Is it ok to use frequently?

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #6
    the biopsy can set the wheels in motion

     

    Tonita,

    I had a lump on my neck and went to my general physician, he immediately sent me to an ENT.  On my first visit he (ENT) did a fine needle biopsy of the lump on my neck and scoped my throat and saw the ulcer on my tongue.  I feel that at that time the ENT knew it was cancer but wanted to wait until the biopsy on my tongue came back

    Next I believe was my PET scan to determine all areas of activity, followed by the surgery and the confirmation that I had SCC, base of tongue cancer.

    Then I visited the radiation oncologist and the chemotherapy oncologist and the plan which set in motion what I am today.

    We all  travel similar paths to get to the new normal and in inclusion in this exclusive and wonderful club.

    If you have cancer then you better buckle up, it’s an adventure, but not all bad.

    Matt

     

     

     

     

     

  • MrsBD
    MrsBD Member Posts: 617 Member
    #7
    Biopsy

    The first days after hearing you may have cancer are always an anxiety-filled blur. Waiting for appointments, test results and treatment to start becomes your new normal. Each person has a unique experience depending on the type and location of the tumor, other medical conditions you may have, the preferences of the doctor, and other factors. When my doctor felt the hard lymph node on the side of my neck, he set up a biopsy of the node. I was awake while the surgeon took samples and found SCC. The next step was a visit to the ENT where he looked down my throat with a scope and saw the tumor. I had a PET scan before meeting with two oncologists who created a treatment plan involving radiation and Erbitux (similar to chemo). Going through treatment was hard, but 16 months later, I am cancer free and back to normal.  It would have been so helpful to have found this group before I started, like you have. You'll get advice, friendship and prayers from people who know exactly what you are experiencing. 

  • Tonita
    Tonita Member Posts: 197 Member
    #8
    Thanks everyone.  Today is

    Thanks everyone.  Today is the day.  I'm very nervous.  I hope at the very least something can be done for the pain.

    I'll let  you all know what happens!

  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #9
    Tonita said:

    Thanks all. 
     
    The pain is so

    Thanks all. 

     

    The pain is so annoying and there doesn't seem to much one can do about that.  I've got a numbing product but haven't used it a lot.  Is it ok to use frequently?

     

     

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