In my case it started as a sore spot on the tongue. The tests revealed nothing much. Fortunately I had a routine dental appointment. My dentist was not very worried but referred me to St. Luke's Maxillo-facial Unit in Bradford, where it was rapidly diagnosed as cancer, not very far advanced. If anyone has a mouth problem they should consult their dentist as well as their doctor.
Some doctors have little idea about what goes on inside peoples' mouths.
None of this hurt. Diagnosis required nipping off a tiny bit of tongue with a small instrument and sending it to be examined under a microscope. It didn't hurt and healed up in no time. The worst thing at this time was the uncertainty. It seems that there is a likelihood that such a cancer, if left unattended, might spread to somewhere above the shoulders.