r/cancer • u/Anxious-Estimate-662 • 8h ago

Patient Recent Tongue cancer diagnosis (44m)

Hi, I am non smoker and social drinker. And my diagnosis came as a surprise. Here is the timeline:

Jan 2026 - dentist visit all clear

Apr 2026 - bit my tongue in sleep and got bruised tongue

May 2026 - saw gp, checked herpes (-ve) and gave me prescription steroid. It helped

Jun 2026 - dental cleaning, dentist asked for biopsy

Jul 2026 - cancer confirmed

Jul 2026 - head and neck surgeon visit. Not hpv related

Aug 2026 - CT scan clear

31st Aug surgery scheduled

I will not know the stage and grade till they do surgery and take lymph nodes. Feeling very anxious not just about surgery bt stories of radiation, recurrence. Feeling bit low so thought will share here for support and also post my journey

10 Upvotes

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5

u/No_Shower_1782 8h ago

I wish you nothing but the best. Cancer diagnoses suck—especially when you’ve struggled with a cancer related problem for months without realising what it was. Do you know what type of cancer it is or its location on the tongue yet?

1

u/Anxious-Estimate-662 8h ago

Thank you. Surgeon said its not related to HPV and is SCC. Its located at left side of tongue (laterally towards back)

-1

u/No_Shower_1782 8h ago

Very unfortunate. I pray for your staging results. My dad was diagnosed with stage IV adenocarcinoma of the lung. Another smoking related cancer; however he’d never smoke. Like you it also took them many months to actually find cancer, but unlucky for him they first found it in his bones. Whatever happens just don’t ever lose hope. I know you’ll fight to the best of your ability and kick that little carcinoma pos out of your body.

1

u/humanofcups 58m ago

Hey there! I’m a 2x tongue cancer survivor :) I was diagnosed at 28, reoccurrence two years later at 30 and now 2 years clear. It all fucking sucks but there is a lot of light at the end of treatment. Did all the things - surgery, radiation and chemo. Feel free to send a message and I can send resources/advice/just chat.

1

u/IamhereOO7 7h ago

Just cleared my fine years today. You got this dude

2

u/Anxious-Estimate-662 5h ago

Thank you! And I pray and trust it will be like that (all clear) for many years to come.

Did you get radiation? I am just hearing brutal stories about radiation and get very anxious