Biopsy

Hello, it sounds like your dentist is very observant and diligent, which is good.

Remember that only one in ten biopsies like this actually turn out to be something sinister. My biopsy on a lesion in the mouth (which was cancer) was back in 7 days. But I think it was pushed through quickly as the consultant I saw knew it was cancer the moment they saw it. My lump was painful, but no general soreness in the rest of my mouth.

Waiting for biopsy results is a notoriously anxious time, but hopefully your outcome will be reassuring. 

Hi Adam55.  Clearly and understandably you are very anxious.  Waiting for a diagnosis is a tough time.  Whilst this is not a clinical diagnosis, I have an active H&N cancer and a similar red mark in the roof of my mouth that swells.  Recent checks by my clinical team and my dentist have concluded that this is a blocked saliva duct.  They will biopsy just to be safe if it continues to annoy me, but the message is that in the vast majority of cases, referrals do not lead to a cancer diagnosis as many other things can be going on in your mouth.

Fingers crossed that is the case for you.

Hi Cathy thanks for the response and that reassuring stat about 1/10 ! Yes the initial referral was due to the white marks on either side mouth . I may well be lichen planus which another  consultant noted when I had video call with her later in July . However as noted the dentist noted the mark last week and wants to look At it again tomorrow . I have an over bite so lost count how many times I’ve chewed or damaged my inner mouth with teeth etc . She says it was a mark and not a lump which is more reassuring . Trouble is I can’t see it as it’s hidden behind my back molar . At lease I am having the biopsy on Friday so that’s a relief , how long does the mouth take to heal after it? Thanks Adam 

Hi Peter thanks for the reply . Yes as Cathy also noted the vast majority are fine but I suppose dentists have to be cautious just in case . I can’t see the mark as it seems to be hidden behind my molar . I wonder if it is large ? Seems to me it can’t be that big ? Anyway I have the biopsy on Friday so relieved to get this as my case was not viewed as “ urgent “ in July . Cheers Adam 

Hi, Adam. As I mentioned above, the lump on my gum was painful anyway so the biopsy didn’t really make it worse. 

For the biopsy, my mouth was numbed as for a normal dental procedure, so it didn’t hurt. I had to hold something on it for a couple of minutes after to stop it bleeding, but it then healed in a day or so with a bit of salt water rinse.

I hope you get a good outcome, but the waiting and worrying is horrible, even though the chances of it being cancer are statistically low.

Come back and let us know how it all goes. Wishing you the best of luck. 

Thanks for that info . Yes I’ll let you know how it went . Appreciate your advice 

Good evening Adam, please try not to think of the worst as this will only make you worry more, try not to read up the symptoms on google as they are often very misleading. You seem to have a very good dentist who is on the case and hopefully, things look better, on average it takes two weeks for the biopsy results to come back, although i was told there and then that it was cancer so had a biopsy done on my initial appointment as my consultant wanted to get the ball rolling. The biopsy can be sore for a week or so depending on which area it's done, some of mine have been done with no discomfort, although one on my lower jaw was painful they gave me painkillers to help. So at the moment it's all ifs and butts for you I'm afraid, fingers crossed for a reassuring outcome. Please keep us updated if you feel up to it , take care and best wishes.

                                                                      Chris 

Hi Chris thanks for that info . An update from today . The red mark has gone ! So that’s good news . She thinks it was probably a burn or eating hard food . Also she struggled to actually find the white marks I have originally been referred to for the biopsy . She said this can happen at times . Things just disappear . Although they are still there but “ slight “ so maybe that’s good news too . I will still have biopsy on Friday anyway . Still got that burning tongue feeling at times so best to just get biopsy anyway . However read that burning tongue can be from a host of reasons . Thanks to others who replied too . I’ll update if need be in due course . Thanks Adam 

Good luck with your biopsy Adam although it sounds as if you have nothing to worry about ,take care .

                                                                 Chris.

Thanks Chris