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Original poster

Tongue biopsy & alarming letter!

22 replies

Pebble21uk · 14/04/2018 11:32

So a couple of days ago I went to my GP with what I thought was oral thrush (I get this sometimes from using steroid asthma inhalers) but it's usually on the roof of my mouth, this time it's on my tongue.

GP says he thinks it's probably not thrush, but Lichan Planus and will send me to see Head & Neck consultant to confirm, when I may need a tongue biopsy.

Not exactly looking forward to a tongue biopsy but when needs must et and didn't think a lot more of it. Later that day I get a call from the GP surgery offering me a hospital appt a week on Monday. Thinking that's quite a quick turn around I was impressed at the speed but a bit surprised given usual waiting times! The GP secretary said she could book it from their end and I would receive a letter in the post.

Very next day (yesterday) a letter arrives from GP's surgery saying it's booked but also saying lots of scary things such as my appt is a matter of priority to exclude a diagnosis of cancer and it's strongly recommended I don't delay the appt!!

I think it's a standard letter (I will hear from the hospital serparately) but it's really scared me! The doctor said nothing about cancer... nobody did! I'm late forties, don't smoke, don't drink and never had any problem with my tongue before.

So - if you feel like reassuring me - please do and if you've had a tongue biopsy before... what can I expect?

OP posts:

allypally999 · 14/04/2018 13:15

Yes I have and sorry but it was turning into cancer. I had to have more removed shortly after the biopsy. Do not Google it as there are some revolting pictures out there of people who did not catch it in time so do not delay just in case. I am totally clear now but still get check-ups. Its very rare and mostly in smokers (I don't smoke either) so I am famous at my dental practice!

I had the biopsy done under local (but the 2nd one I was out cold). You can feel the movement but no pain till the jab wears off (like the dentist). Where it is makes a difference to the recovery. Mine was at the side of my tongue and both times I struggled to eat, talk, etc and the stiches were catching which was very painful. A friend had his at the back of his mouth and he was fine - no pain and no time off. On the plus side I lost lots of weight. I'd stock up on soup and straws if I was you just in case. Good luck!

Original poster

Pebble21uk · 14/04/2018 13:27

Mine is at the side too! Great! Now I'm even more worried!

Do you know what started it? I read that there are unconfirmed reports it can be triggered by dental work... only I had a chipped tooth on that side repaired a couple of weeks or so ago and I'm beginning to wonder if it's something to do with that as it's really all very sudden!

OP posts:

Dynamodopey · 14/04/2018 14:19

Hi Pebble. I had a tongue biopsy (side of tongue) on Tuesday as well as mucocelle removed (think that’s what it was the doctor wasn’t sure either) from the inside of my bottom lip. They were both done under local (2 injections)

I was very nervous as I have a phobia of dentists! Anyway the worst bit was the injections. Once the anaesthetic wore off I was in some discomfort. I actually am finding the lip surgery more painful and uncomfortable. My tongue just feels like it does if you’ve bitten it!

As for eating and drinking I’ve been eating soft bland foods. Good luck and hope everything is ok.

Original poster

Pebble21uk · 14/04/2018 14:26

Thanks Dynamo - did you have any stitches? I hope you get your results quickly and it's good news.

OP posts:

Dynamodopey · 14/04/2018 14:48

Yes I had 1 stitch on the tongue and 2 on the lip. I think now the most annoying thing is the stitches!

missnevermind · 14/04/2018 14:57

I had a biopsy on the side of my tongue last year. I was really worried about eating and talking afterwards
I had a local anaesthetic and the feeling afterwards was just like having been to the dentist but lasted a lot longer.
I had to go by myself so the thing I was most worried about was telling the taxi driver my address to get home lol but we managed.
It wasn’t overly painful afterwards I just ate soft foods and warm drinks not hot.

Mine turned out just to be a particularly painful type of thrush but I think they cut it all out with the biopsy.

missnevermind · 14/04/2018 14:58

And yes 3 or 4 dissolving stitches too.

Original poster

Pebble21uk · 14/04/2018 15:16

Thanks for the replies - it's giving me a better idea what to expect! I'm okay with the dentist as I had to have lots of invasive stuff done as a child / teenager... also had stitches in my mouth then, but this has just come as a bit of a bolt from the blue! More worried about the sudden mention of cancer really when nothing had been mentioned about it by the GP

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allypally999 · 14/04/2018 15:38

We think mine was caused by my dental splint rubbing against my tongue at night (I have plugs made for my ears now which bizarrely help with the grinding). Mine was sore (which is rare also). I had it done privately but NHS is quick too and I believe its slow growing if it is cancer but hopefully not.

Original poster

Pebble21uk · 14/04/2018 18:40

That's interesting ally, I can't help feeling that my chipped tooth and / or repair filling has something to do with it because of the position. I'm sure it's only started since that was done - and the dentist noticed nothing wrong with my tongue at the time, but there are quite obvious white patches now.

I do have private heathcare but as I have been given an appt in just a weeks time on the NHS there seems no point at the moment. Can always use it later on if anything needed (fingers crossed not!)

OP posts:

MrsMozart · 14/04/2018 18:49

No experience, but fingers are crossed for a good outcome.

Original poster

Pebble21uk · 14/04/2018 19:32

Thank you MrsMozart - it's fair to say that suddenly a quick appt feels like a long wait!

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Bringmejavabringmejoy · 14/04/2018 21:36

Pebble - your GP should have told you s/he was referring you under the two week wait system - no wonder the letter alarmed you! Once you're over 40 there are hundreds of symptoms which mean your GP must refer you to be investigated for cancer. The vast majority of these referrals result in cancer being ruled out. The head and neck consultant featured on the BBC Hospital programme said he spends most of his time telling people they don't have cancer.

You're very low risk (oral cancer isn't caused by tooth problems) and your GP is probably right and it's LP.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Original poster

Pebble21uk · 14/04/2018 22:31

That is reassuring, thank you Bringme.
I do feel as though the doctor should have said something. I'd never seen him before and he was very thorough and I was quite impressed with him (which is more than can be said for some others at the practice) but there is a difference between not scaremongering and yet still explaining why something is being done. He was very matter-of-fact, gave me no cause for concern at the time.

I think I might phone the practice next week - just for clarification and so they know it came as bit of a bolt from the blue!

I will come back and update as I hate it when there's no closure on threads - though it may take a couple of weeks!

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Bringmejavabringmejoy · 14/04/2018 22:56

Pebble - if you were impressed with the Doctor and he was very thorough, may I suggest you don't phone the surgery. The reason being, it could be logged as a complaint and that can be a real headache for an otherwise good doctor. It could be that he wasn't aware of how the letter would be worded. You might find that the letter from the hospital contains a leaflet emphasising how unlikely it is that your symptoms are those of cancer (don't worry if you don't - it probably depends on your hospital Trust how they communicate).

I know how worrying it is. I've been on a couple of two week waits (it sort of goes with the territory when you're over 50 😊) but this really is the NHS at its best. You're seen quickly, there is usually a consultant there so you get reassurance on the day - s/he might decide there is no need for a biopsy).

Original poster

Pebble21uk · 14/04/2018 23:26

Understood - I won't phone then. It could be likely he didn't know about the standard letter as I think he's quite new. As the practice seems to have trouble hanging on to their good doctors, I don't wish to shoot myself or anyone else in the foot!

OP posts:

smofty84 · 14/04/2018 23:35

Hi Pebble,
I had something similar to you last year when I went to the dentist with a white area on the side of my tongue. Was sent to a specialist who talked me through what it could have been (like your letter). The biopsy itself was grand, only a little bit sore when they were doing the stitching. The hardest part was keeping my tongue under control!! About a month later it came back that I have Oral lichen planus which is an auto immune disorder.
Try not to worry. I was petrified when I heard what it could have been and spent days googling and if it is O.L.P. it has been easy for me to control so far.
Wishing you luck with your results x

Original poster

Pebble21uk · 14/04/2018 23:55

Thank you smofty I am feeling a bit more reassured by some of these replies. Thanks to all who have replied - it's really helped.

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Original poster

Pebble21uk · 23/04/2018 18:30

Just popped back to update - hospital appt today and with much relief I was dignosed quite quickly with Geographic Tongue and therefore didn't need to have a biopsy... very relieved! Many thanks to all who posted on the thread - it really helped while I was waiting.

OP posts:

MrsMozart · 23/04/2018 19:08

A good update. Hope all goes well.

DaveswifeDawn · 25/04/2018 04:13

Thanks for letting us know (it's bringmejava here) - what a relief for you!

Dynamodopey · 25/04/2018 19:15

Oh that’s good. Glad you didn’t need the biopsy.

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