Awaiting Diagnosis

Oli. Thus waiting is dreadful but you have little choice. I’m afraid none of us here can give you a medical opinion. Are you looking on Google? Best not because what you look for is an answer that tells you that you don’t have cancer. You’ll drive yourself insane. 
I can tell you that a mouth ulcer of 8 weeks duration is hugely unlikely to progress to multiple cancer sites in a matter of weeks. 
Your appointment is less than two weeks away. Nothing significant is going to happen in that time. 
You might find it helpful to ring the Macmillan help line at the bottom of my post. Speaking to somebody will really help 

Hi Ollie

Stand back and take a deep breath. You are naturally panicking but you don’t have anything definitive yet so all the googling and worrying is not going to help. Like Dani says spread of cancer so quickly from an ulcer is very unlikely.  There may be any number of reasons but until you get a medical diagnosis you will not know.

Head and neck cancers are very treatable in the worst case scenario.

I am 9 years post a cancer diagnosis and still going strong and living life to the full.

This forum is here for you if needed but hopefully it won’t be necessary.

Try and keep as busy as possible to take your mind of things.

Best wishes

Lyn

Hi Oli and no apologies needed!  Welcome from me and I hope your membership of this group is short lived, but if it is not. we're all here for you.

As has been said only your clinical team can give and opinion on your diagnosis.  These cancers present in many varied ways so all of your symptoms could be cancer or more likely are not.

I have worked in and with the NHS on cancer pathways and the stat of 90% ending up of no cancer concern is general across the spectrum of cancers and relevant to all cancers.  Your dentist sounds really good at recognising when there is an expert opinion needed.  I have had 3 "2 week" referrals and only the original one was cancer.  The others were different non important conditions once diagnosed.

The only other question that I can answer is quality of life post treatment.  The treatment is tough - no matter what route you take - but the CURE (not holding it at bay, but CURING) is very high and the 5 year survival rate is high and increasing all the time for head and neck as treatments get better each year.  The vast majority of us live a good (but different) life post treatment.  For example I still sail and enjoy eating out.  Now that travelling is opening up again, I am planning of some big trips this winter to very far flung regions.  Many others will be doing their own thing, be it marathons, bike rides, going to live abroad etc.  Take solace in their grasping of life and making the most of it.

Try not to worry or overthink during the next couple of weeks.  Remember that it is unlikely you will get a definitive on the day as further tests may be needed.  This is probably the toughest period mentally.  Once you have answers it does become easier.

Hi. As others have said the waiting’s the worst over 90 % of head and neck cancer referrals aren’t cancer. You’re on the right pathway now try to keep  off Dr Google you will only frighten yourself even more. We can’t give medical advise but can certain listen to you. From my diagnosis to treatment starting I was 63 days so as yiu csn see a few weeks any cancer won’t invade your body. 
i live life ti the fullest I’m 4 years post radiotherapy and chemo living my life to the max. I go abroad ride my bike and hill walk  not bad fir a 65 year old. 
Hazel 

Hi Oli,

I can remember when I had to wait to be checked out and the waiting is the worst part. I would say don't try and find out stuff on google and stick to sitesl ike Macmillin where you have some great resources.

When I was first told I had cancer, I thought my life was going to over in days. My team was good though and the education I've got on here has ben awesome. Like Beesuit has said nothing much will happen in a couple of weeks.

Hope all is good.

Lee

    Fighter of cancer T4N2M0 oropharyngeal SCC(grade 3, P16 positive) 2 cycles of chemotherapy and 30 radiotherapy sessions.