Numbness in chin and tongue

robh
robh Member Posts: 16 Member
edited December 2022 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Well folks,

Stage 4 tonsil cancer, 1 node removed, surgery, chemo, rad. 10/2003.

Here I am 19 years out, living my life, just became a grandparent.

About a month ago I started feeling a tingling on the right tip of my tongue (cancer side) that has spread to my chin.

Went straight to my Oncologist. He told me it could be many things and scheduled and MRI of the base of my skull. He reviewed and said it looked normal but he wanted to run it by the tumor board.

The tumor board reviewed and the radiologist wants to get a better look???????? and says there "might be" an abnormality in my mandible.

Going for a CT this week.

I have read several things on the internet about this, all real bad.

Anybody else ever have this? I am freaking out. Haven't felt this way for a long time.

Thanks,

-Robert

Comments

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,482 Member

    I don't know Rob but I am not sure there is anything to get excited about at this point. If I am correct an MRI shows the very fine detail of everything in the area. So I am sure it would have shown cancer if there was any and that would be my main concern. And the tumor board didn't mention cancer or a biopsy, but they certainly want to get an answer for you and stave off future problems if possible or necessary. Although I very well understand that we would rather not have anything going on in the head and neck area because it sure makes us think the wrong way. I am thinking the past radiation has caused something in the area to be out of shape thus causing pinched nerves or irritated nerves hence your tingling feeling. I had an area in my cheek at the back molars on the left side, the same side as all my cancers that was sore. It felt like a soreness as if the tooth were rubbing it or my inner cheek was being pinched between my molars thus making it sore. I was to see my ENT soon but bumped up my appointment earlier because of this. ENT checked it out and felt around, looked in my mouth, and of course scoped me, I get scoped every time I see him every three months. He said everything feels normal to the touch, and nothing unusual, and that looking in my mouth there were no sore spots, and the inside of my mouth and my cheek looked completely normal. He felt that either my last cancer episode with an operation on that side or previous radiation had affected the nerves and made me feel a sore spot where there was none. I subsequently saw my dentist soon after for my regular check-up and he concurred, everything was fine and it must be from the previous treatment. This sore feeling hung on for several months and then it faded away and is now gone. No soreness today. I am thinking this may be your situation and they say effects like this can occur as we get older from radiation.

    With all that said, I understand your anxiety. Just remember we always have a saying on here, "It's not cancer unless or till they say it is" and that's verified with scans and a biopsy that is positive for cancer. I have seen many cases on here with people upset and I tell them the same thing and there has been at least a handful that found out it was some other minor problems to handle or like in my case do nothing I would say 6 or 8 people since I have been reading this forum since late 2012. And they worried themselves incessantly till they got the final word and results, NED, nothing there.

    I understand how you feel Robert, I have had cancer 3 times and I am well aware of the ideas, anxiety, and feeling we get when something is off and doesn't feel right. I look at it this way if it is something that needs attention we deal with it no matter what it is. In your case, I'm pulling for nothing. There was a person on here that had a doctor who after a yearly scan and everything looked normal with no problems told them he checked the scans and they are "Unremarkable" That is what I am hoping this is, some little thing that is "unremarkable" in this situation we want you to be "unremarkable".

    Wishing You the Best

    Take Care God Bless-Russ


  • robh
    robh Member Posts: 16 Member

    Hi Russ,

    Thank you for your kind and inspiring words. For years I was always the one doling out the encouragement around here. Sure feels different being on this end. My wife and I are praying hard that this is a small bump in the road. My Oncologist doesnt seem too worried. He said "it still may be nothing." I said, "May????", how about "probably" He laughed. I havent been in this situation for a very long time (19 years) and I have to say is very nerve racking. Again, thank you. I will keep the group updated. Next CT is 12/15 (next Monday), and the tumor board meets a gain on 12/15. Until then stay safe and positive.

    Sincerely,

    -rh

    Robert

  • robh
    robh Member Posts: 16 Member

    HiRuss,

    My CT scans came back clear. Video Meeting with Oncologist tomorrow at 12:00. I couldn't be happier. I cant thank you enough for your support.

    Stay safe and god bless.

    Sincerely,

    Robert Hamilton

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,482 Member
    edited December 2022 #5

    Well, Robert, congratulations that is the best news ever for sure! Answered prayers, Hallelujah, Praise God! It just doesn't get any better than NED (No Evidence of Disease)! This is the Ultimate Greatest News Bar None!

    Wishing You the Best

    Take Care God Bless-Russ