What's the diagnostic process like? Timelines?

[Gemmy96]

I was referred a week ago for an urgent cancer assessment at my local hospital and I'm being seen on Monday afternoon. On my letter it says that the appointment is for consultation only and no "treatment" will be carried out, which I assume means biopsies, scans etc. won't be taken either.
I don't really understand what the process is going forward and how long I can expect things to take-- my trust is quite good for this kind of thing apparently, hence being seen in under a week I suppose.

Generally speaking, what's the order I can expect things to go in from here on? Referral, initial consultation, biopsy, diagnosis/ruling out (fingers crossed!)? And what kind of time scale do these things work on?
Thank you

Sorry to hear you’re dealing with this stress OP.

Usually it’s appointment with doctor, and then booked in for necessary investigations.

What type of cancer, as that will dictate the tests and results?

It would be mouth cancer. I'm booked in with an oral surgeon for my appointment

So sorry to hear you are on this journey.
The initial appointment will be to take a look and confirm your referrers suspicions. Oral cancer can mimic lots of different oral conditions so they need to confirm that you need further investigations. Biopsy is first then probably imaging, MRI and CT, your results will be discussed by a multi disciplinary team.
The head and neck cancers can be quite complex so a maxilla facial surgeon, oral surgeon and ENT surgeon may be involved.
Also onchologist.
At your following appointment they will discuss the results and the proposed treatment plans. You will find out what type of cancer you have and the stage, grade and whether it is local or has spread.
Treatment can include surgery, chemo and radiotherapy. Not always all three, treatment is often very bespoke depending on the nature of your tumour.
It’s all very scary, but do remember that like other cancers not everyone who is referred has cancer.
The biggest part of diagnosis is the waiting. Try not to Google because until you have a diagnosis you have no idea what it is. Make sure you take someone with you to make notes or you can ask to record the appointment. It’s really difficult to concentrate on what is being discussed during the appointment.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago and the experience is very different to how you imagine. I have referred a number of patients with oral cancer. Some were not clear, others were obvious. As I said most lesions are not obvious but need checking out. They thankfully, usually come back negative.
Where is the lesion in your mouth?