A bit of a roller coaster, thought l had an ulcer mid August, GP just kept prescribing antibiotics, didn’t clear so l pushed for a face to face appointment mid September. Then since then lve had a biopsy and told on Monday it is a T1 ulcer. Went for CT scan this week, MRI next week then chat with consultant which now is a telephone one. Am still shell shocked and thinking the worst. I can’t tell my children until l know what is happening. Googling everything and getting myself even more scared. Are CT and MRI routine and is it usual to have a telephone conversation about next steps rather than face to face? And reading into it a T1 is early stages ( l have never smoked or drank alcohol) ? Would love to hear anyone else’s experience. Thanks
update on treatment
so have had my pre op assessments done and surgery booked for 3rd November.At the pre op assessment l was told the CT scan was clear as was the MRI scan and surgery will be to remove tumour on tongue and 40 lymph nodes too check. So l slowly got my head round this all, only to get a call this Friday from registrar to say that MRI scan shows an “adulteration near the thyroid gland” but there are no lesions or nodes but l need an ultrasound to check just in case. Now I’ve gone into overdrive and panicking because of something else. Is this normal that diagnosis keeps on changing from the original?
Hi Teacosy. Welcome to our select little club though it's not one I would wish on anybody. The diagnosis you describe is somewhat unclear. the TNM grading system is indeed used for cancer. T1 means the tumour is less than 2cm in size. Have they actually told you it is cancer rather than the ulcer you describe?
For cancer, yes CT and MRI are pretty standard. They have different sensitivities which is why they are both routinely used.
It does seem strange to have a telephone consultation to discuss results though I should think if there is any further action to be taken you would be. called straight in.
I might suggest you leave Dr Google well alone. There is a lot of very out of date, and otherwise inaccurate information.
Post back and let us know what's happening. There are lots of friendly and well informed folk on here to give you a hand
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Hi again. Ok then the scans are to see if there is any spread. I'm not a doctor and only your consultant can answer this but T1 is a small tumour. I had a T2 and my oncologist told me he could cure me. I had radiotherapy only. It's a bumpy ride and I can't pretend it's not a difficult treatment but it doable and 21 months after I finished I am doing well and fairly normal.
Where is the cancer on your tongue? They may be able to fix it with just surgery.
I have a neighbour who had exactly that. The surgeons cut it out and that was that.
I think you have to wait to see what your consultant has to say and take it from there. It's horrid waiting and there's no point in telling you to not worry but try to keep yourself busy, take a deep breath and stay positive.
Good luck and stay off Google
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
I meant to add that Macmillan have a cancer support line with specialist cancer nurses you can talk to
7 days a week, 8am-8pm on 0808 808 00 00.
If you need some personal contact and feel overwhelmed.
There are quite a few of us here that can be contacted by private message too. All you have to do is send a friend request by clicking on their profile picture
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
