My Dad (in his 70s and a life-long smoker) just received the results of a biopsy of a truly horrible growth in his mouth - it looked like a small white slug covered in black warts between his gum and lip.

The results were inconclusive and he's going back next month to have the rest of it removed and so they can do more tests (I'm in the UK, no immediate operations here, though this is pretty fast). He'll be in for three days.

My question is this - does the very fact that biopsies are being done mean there is a chance of cancer? They got a pretty good chunk of it when he went in for the biopsy (the slug is gone now) - how much tissue is needed for a conclusive biopsy?

I'm trying not to be worried but it's pretty tough not to.

Hi Horizon

He's your dad--I'd be much more concerned if you weren't worried. However this turns out, remember that you're not alone in this.

I don't know how much tissue is needed to do a biopsy--the piece that was snagged from the bottom of my tongue didn't look all that big (but it STILL hurt like crazy). Dr Joshi would be the best person to answer the why's and wherefores of biopsy.

I hope everything goes well for you and your dad.

Julia

Hello Horizon

When a biopsy is done, they try to get a sample of the suspected tissue including a bit of normal. If inconclusive, they re-biopsy to get another sample from a different area to help decide what the pathologist is looking at so that a diagnosis can be made.

Best wishes
Vinod

Julia and Vinod - thanks for the support and information. I know there's nothing that can be done until after the op so I'm just getting on with it - as is my Dad who doesn't seem phased at all.

I'll come back once I know for sure, thanks again.

OK, results back (finally). Now I wasn't there to hear first hand but apparently it *was* cancer and I'm being told that the consultant removed it all - should I be relieved or is there more to it than this? What's the aftercare, what kind of check ups are to be expected?

Hello Horizon

All removed is always the best news. If no radiotherapy is required, it is even better. The issues related to aftercare are managing to cope with the after-effects of the surgery like speech, swallowing, trismus, etc. Check-ups are standard for all H&N cancer patients: first year - seen every month, second year - seen every two months .....

Best wishes

Vinod

Thank you again, that's good to hear about the frequency of check ups - the after care needed from the surgery isn't that great, he's going to need a new denture plate and he's back on solids, well mashed solids and soft things.

Horizo,

I am happy for your dad ! But I have a problem did they do any ct's or scans to make sure there is nothing lurking else where? I am asking this for reason, I originally had a spot on my tongue but they did a ct and found a lymphnode! Oh and sometime during my treatment it decided to go to my lungs.

If I were you and this was my parent or myself I would ask for a ct for safe measure. I wasn't the picture for oral cancer most of us aren't but your dad is twice my age and I suggest looking out for more issues?

I am not trying to be a downer but a helper who has seen and living thru this so just offering advise for your dad's benefit.

Best of Luck,

Pam