Hello,
New here, and hopefully cancer free. Do not know yet. I am a 35 year old female, mother of two, and wife of a great man. Had cervical cancer in 1990-91 at the age of 22. Yes, I do smoke.
It was treated with laser surgery and been fine since. All check ups normal. The problem I have now is, my dentist found a raised white bump on the side of my tongue, way back and almost underneath the tongue. It was about the size of a ball point pen. He gave me a course of antibiotics, and was told to come back in 2 weeks. Took the meds, and went back. The spot was still there. He refered me to an oral surgeon, who took a biopsy. I am currently waiting for results. The oral Dr. said he thinks it may be a cyst. But I asked him if I could forgo the biopsy and he strongly advised against it. Well, three days later, my tongue is still quite swollen, the sticthes have started to come out, but my throat is raw. Is it normal to have a large white patch where the biopsy was done? Is that dead cells? Or could it be infected? That was a horrible feeling to have the stitches laying in your throat. Maybe that is why I am so sore? Do the Doctors take biopsy for cysts? Thank you for your time. Michelle

Hi Michelle

A cyst can be biopsied. If it is a small cyst, it can be removed completely during an excision biopsy.

The tongue can feel sore after a biopsy (wound). Healing takes about 14 days! The raw area where the biopsy was done is normally closed with stitches, but it looks like yours might have come undone leaving the area exposed and sensitive. It tends to get a white coating of dead and healing cells. Use a very warm salt mouth rinse to keep it clean. A mouthwash spray like Difflam is antiseptic and has analgesic properties and make feel more comfortable. It can feel uncomfortable if you have loose stitches flailing about in your mouth. Do see/ring your doctor for advice.

Best wishes
Vinod :coffee:

Thank you Dr. Vinod for your response. I suppose common sense told me that the white area was normal. It is hard to wait for test results. Yes, I have been using a warm water and salt rinse. Will be back to the board soon. Thank you again! Michelle

Michelle, I had tongue cancer in 1989. It started as a small white bump also, so I am thankful that they did a byopsy on it, just to on the safe side. Trust me the discompfort you feel today is nothing that you would feel if it were to be something else,,like,, CANCER, we do not want that, ok,, please keep us posted,, most of us have been there or are about to go there,,,You have friends here, Always, Vicki Lynn

Thank you all for your kindness, and replies. Turns out that it was a cyst on my lymph/tonsil area. I know there is a name for it, but it escapes me right now, and I wouldn't spell it correctly for sure! I wish you all well, and thank you again. Michelle