Moth cancer advice

[Shirley310511]

I've just been to doctors and I may have mouth cancer trying not to panic. Has anybody got advice ?feeling very stressed. Have had an ulcer on my tounge for months should I have gone to be checked earlier??

I know someone through work who had cancer on her tongue. It was removed a couple of years ago and all is now fine for her, although I think she is still now having regular check ups.

I hope it either turns out not to be cancer, or it’s easily treatable, I know the wait will be terrible so I hope you are seen really soon.

Has he referred you on? Would be difficult to diagnose without a biopsy?

Hopefully it won't be cancer or if it is, it will be easily treatable. If it is cancer, your consultant will talk you through what is involved. I know someone who had oral cancer fairly recently, the surgery was quite involved but recovery has been good with very few minor side effects. Hope you get a fast referral for a biopsy and further investigation.

I may have this.

Was referred by a specialist in Aug 23 and still haven't had a biopsy. It's horrid for me & this might be the same for you. My Dentist wrote to the hospital recently as I have an ulcer that isn't going away. Finally I was given a date for my biopsy - in late march 24. So I won't know until then. I was seen by a specialist who said she wasn't too worried but you need a biopsy to rule out mouth cancer 100%

Sorry to tell you this but it likely you will have up to a years wait before you get a biopsy to 100% confirm if it cancer or not.

I wish you the best.

It's not necessarily going to be months. Tthe person I know with what was initially just suspected as oral cancer saw a consultant the same day as the GP appointment, then saw the oral specialist within 2 weeks - very fast, and this was the NHS and quite recently. I assume it depends on the part of the country you're in.

I know someone who has just had the all clear from mouth cancer. They didn’t wait months for a biopsy, it was done within 2 weeks. First diagnosed in September. They had to have 2 operations to remove the areas affected. They healed well and are waiting to have their back teeth implants put in as they had to have some removed before the operations.

The wait for the necessary dental work afterwards has been much longer than the wait for the surgery here, surgery was about 6 weeks after diagnosis.

@50soonouch if it's suspected cancer (of any kind) you should always be referred on the two week wait pathway. Sounds like you have just been referred as a routine appointment. Maybe they're not suspecting cancer? But if you think they are you should challenge them about the long wait and quote guidelines that say you should only have a two week wait

It's very upsetting that I've had to wait for so long but I think its because the specialist wasn't too concerned so I assume my biopsy was listed as 'routine' or perhaps just a precaution.

But I now have an ulcer that won't go away so need the biopsy!

OP - I hope your wait is nothing like mine. Im in Surrey.

Comforting to read the success stories too.

My cousin had mouth cancer and had an operation on it. He’s still going strong over 20 years later. Wishing you well.

You will be seen on the 2 week wait pathway.A biopsy is usually within a day or 2 after initial consultation if cancer is suspected very occasionally on the same day. Results of biopsy come back within 2-3 days then a further review to discuss results.
If it is cancer then a further op is planned to remove, usually at a hospital with a maxfac ward.Not all hospitals have these routinely but do perform the biopsy..if cancer is not suspected you may be removed from 2ww and listed for a routine biopsy to check pathology.
Good luck.

I know this is an old thread but what was the outcome OP?