Hello everyone,

I came here last year for advice and support as my father began his cancer journey. What a journey it has been. I will give you the condensed version. Dec 06 peridontist saw a funny bump under his tongue but said it was nothing to worry about "come back after Christmas and we'll remove it". Dad went in beginning of January and had it removed. 2 weeks later got the call squmaous cell carcinoma of the tongue. He had a 2nd surgery as the first didn't get it all (by the Peridontist). Then finally in to see a surgical oncologist who said that this was a non agressive slow growing early stage lesion that could best be managed by surgery. In the midst of all of this we buried my Mother's Father (colon cancer) and then wham my Father was dealt another blow he too was dxed with colon cancer. Found out he had colon cancer mid March and had another surgery on his tongue end of March. That biopsy came back with no sign of cancer cells at all. However 4 days after the surgery he developed swelling to the saliva gland on the same side of the neck as the tongue cancer was. The doctor said give it approx 6 mths to correct itself. Well its been almost 8 and its still swollen (size of a grape). Its movable, and spongy in feel. Dad had follow up with surgical oncologist and he now wants to do a ct (Tues) and needle biopsy (2 weeks from today) to rule out a tumor underneath the saliva gland. He had his colon resection in May and developed a major infection. He didn't fully heal until the end of August. We did get good news as the colon cancer was a very early stage 1. It has been a very rocky year for my parents with all these health problems and I am looking to you for some reassuring words to help me to comfort them while we wait. Also will the dr be able to tell if there is cancer in the node immediately or will it take the standard time? I should also mention that a couple of weeks ago my Father was massaging the gland and felt what he described as a "saliva surge" noticed that the lump went down considerably but within the day was swollen again. Any incouragement/advice is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Paula

Hi Paula, sorry to hear your bad news. I had SCC in my sinus but I cant really help with your node question, there will be someone on here who can though. I hope all goes well with the tests and you are in the right place for support and encouragement. All the best to you all. Hagg.

Hi Paula,

So sorry that you've had such awful bad luck in your family, things seem to go like that sometimes. My husband Robert was diagnosed with base of tongue SCC in Sept 06. He didn't have surgery but had chemo and radiotherapy. All has been going well until he developed a lump in his neck, under his jawbone in September. He had a needle biopsy and had to wait a couple of weeks for the results, which came back all clear. He then had a CT scan on 29th Oct and he gets the results next Wednesday. The Doctors are all of the opinion that it's most likely a blocked salivary gland (fingers crossed) and they don't seem to be in any sort of rush to get these tests done. It does sound very much like the same sort of thing that your father has got. It's very difficult when something like this happens, no matter how much you try and convince yourself to be logical your mind plays very cruel tricks.

I hope your Dad gets good news as it sounds like he could do with some. Please pass on our best wishes to him and let him know that we know what he's going through.

Lorraine

Hi Paula, Your dad indeed has had a raw deal. This awful disease is no respector of anything - even occurrance. In these pages, there are so many where is has struck twice and recently twice in the same close family. I don't know enough to be able to give you any advice, but stand with Lorraine to pass on our best wishes, let us know the outcome of all the tests and how he gets on. The waiting is agony for everyone.