Oral Biopsy

Hi Rowan21

The surgeon wanrted to do the sentinel node biopsy (which has to be done before the surgery as it tracks the route cancerous cells could take from the tumour through the lymph nodes). However the wait would have been too long, and he did not want to risk the tumour growing too much.

He elected not to do a neck dissection to investigate the lymph nodes (he did briefly mention it, but never really "asked" me if I wanted it).

Pathology post surgey showed very good margins, beyond what they need to rate it as good clear margins.

So yes, there is that uncertainty that there *could* have been spread into the lymph nodes, hence the ultraound scans 3 monthly on my neck.

I was happy to trust his judgement throughout.

Yes, hopefully that will be "it" for you like it was for me.

All the best! This was an option for me too but not recommended because of all the dysplasia around the tumour. I am glad you were given the other recommendation. They make the recommendations with the MDT and with a lot of consideration so I think you are in good hands. 

Hi Rowan & tee,

I have had my CT and MRI scan today, it went well.

Should I ask my clinical team if I should have a sentinel node biopsy please? As they only suggested CT and MRI. I had a biopsy which confirmed the diagnosis.

Thanks

Happy to hear your CT went well!!!

Asking never hurts and doesn't mean making any decisions. Then they could tell you in more detail why yes/no. In my case they did not suggest sentinel one but the selective one. 

In my experience NHS has a preventative approach, so if they thought it was something that is better safe than sorry they might have recommended it anyway. 

makkie said:

Should I ask my clinical team if I should have a sentinel node biopsy please?

Agree with Rowan. No harm in asking but not all cancer centres offer it for head and neck

It does delay surgery, but on the other hand it may reduce the extent of any neck dissection. 

From what I know sentinel ine is a day case while more extensive ones are in patient (looking at myself) so it is not time consuming in such way but might mean they will want you to recover after it. 

However my surgeon would have done mine just 2-3 weeks after my tongue surgery if I did nit want time to consider it first. 

In some ways I regret it because now it will not be before January but I did not have the feeling it was overly time sensitive. 

Rowan21 said:

From what I know sentinel ine is a day case while more extensive ones are in patient (looking at myself) so it is not time consuming in such way but might mean they will want you to recover after it. 

Yes. I meant waiting for a slot to have one done because the sentinel nodes need to be removed.

Its the difference between having an SNB done, and waiting for the results

If they find cancer then usually they go ahead with a neck dissection and there is the delay. 

I can only hope I receive the scan results as soon as possible, then treatment can be decided.

The consultant said it will take 2-3ish weeks to receive the results, so that'll take us to 3rd Jan, but given it's Christmas next week and New year's (bank holidays etc), I think it'll be an extra week.

I wish to meet my family abroad, but, unsure whether I should travel or not. Planning to travel end of December until Jan 16th. Any thoughts please?

makkie said:

Planning to travel end of December until Jan 16th. Any thoughts please?

I would go.