Thank goodness for second opinions. Johns Hopkins reclassified the pathology slides that they got from Prince William Hospital. PWH pathologists (2 of them...) said it was SCC. JH took a look and said it was intermediate grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma, though the final grading will be dependent on the full section. UGGG. I thought I was done with surprises until after the surgeries.

http://oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/rare/mc/index.htm

The plan is still the same. TORS to resect right BOT on 8/17/11, and bilateral selective ND on 9/2/11 to check for metastasis.

Overall, he is pleased with this change. He says the long term outlook is better as long as they can get clear margins. Apparently the BOT is a "good" place to have MEC since it is surrounded by soft tissue, and should result in less complications to remove.

Age 35
non-smoker, non-drinker
7/1/11 - Diagnosed with SCC @ BOT, stage 1, lingual tonsil & cyst removed
8/9/11 - Corrected diagnosis of MEC @ BOT
8/17/11 - TORS to remove lesion
9/2/11 - Bilateral neck dissection. All nodes clear! Done!
12/13/11 - PET/CT scan clear