Tongue Cancer

Hi  and a warm welcome to the Online Community, a Community that no one really looks to see themselves joining, and so sorry to hear about your Tongue Cancer diagnosis.

A cancer diagnosis brings a lot of confusion, stress and many questions but from my experience talking with other people who are on the same type of journey can help you a lot.

The Community is organised into support groups so you may want to start by joining our supportive Head and neck cancer group as this is the place where you will connect with others walking the treatment journey both as patient or family.

Follow the above link then choose ‘click to join' or ‘join’ when the page opens. You can then introduce yourself, post questions or just  join in with existing discussions by clicking on 'reply'. 

It’s always good to talk and the Macmillan Support Services provides lots of information, support, financial guidance or just a listing ear.

Most services are open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week and it's free to call on 0808 808 00 00 have a look by Clicking here to see what is available and we also have our Ask an Expert section, but do allow two working days for replies from our expert team.

Our Online Information and Support Section  is a good place to find information covering diagnosis, treatments and pages covering most types of cancers.

All the very best.

Hi carolannsusan

I’m Dani and I hang out in the Head and Neck group  Thehighlander has highlighted the link  

I don’t recall anybody having this with local but T1 is very small so probably fairly easily done surgically  I’m sure they will make sure you don’t feel a thing   
Personally I would go for it rather than waiting till surgery is more complicated and involves reconstruction. 

Hi Dani,

Thank you for your input.  

I was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma base of tongue, which they class as T1 so have caught it early! I was due to have Partial Glossectomy on 7th January 2021 under general anesthetic, But has just been cancelled due to Coronavirus.

I saw my consultant yesterday, and he could only offer to do this procedure under local anesthetic at the moment, he wouldnt even be able to give me a sedative.

I know the removal of the cancer is the best way forward, but to me, having it under local does not sit right with me, in fact the more I have looked in to it, it sounds rather barbaric! Just cant see myself sitting in a dentist chair for 45 minutes while he cuts part of my tongue away.  And of course other considerations, like feeding tube, if one needs one!

I am now thinking about going down the route of Radium Therapy! did you have your Radium treatment after surgery? and how did you find it?

I’ll answer this here and ask mods to move it. 
I had base of tongue cancer and surgery wasn’t an option. My oncologist told me that any surgery would have to be followed up with radiotherapy and that radiotherapy alone would be curative. The side effects and sequelae of RT are significant. 
I would go back to your surgeon snd ask whether surgery would have to be reinforced by RT. It’s possible that they might not know till the cancer is excised and margins checked anyway. 

Hi Carolsnnsusan

welcome to our small community that no one wishes to join. If your consultants happy to do it I would go for it has well. They have the experience like  Dani says T1 is small l with no spread. 
good luck Hazelxx

let us know how you get on please x

Thank you Hazel,

I will take your opinion on board.

Will let you know what happens, and how it goes.

Carol x

You need to ask will they follow up with radiotherapy sorry thought I had added that in previous post. 
best wishes Hazel. 

Hi Hazel, I have asked that question, but at this stage he does not know.  My problem is I am trying to find anyone who has had this procedure done under local anasthetic, but as yet I have not been successful, I hope to find out more info tomorrow from my care nurse. Carol x

Hi Carolannsusan I think you are over thinking the procedure as they are not going to be inflicting pain unnecessarily. Sounds like they have opted for the problem being nipped  in the bud straight away. Go for it . All The Best Regards Min

Thank you Min for your input, I appreciate it. Carol