| | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) |  Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | I suggest going to an ENT who specializes in treating oral cancer patients. Any doctor who thinks you "may" have cancer and suggests you wait several months (in my opinion) doesnt have your best interests in mind when they are giving you advice. Yes its possible for a tumor to not show up on a scan. If the tumor is less than 2 cm (the size of a grain of rice) it would probably get missed. Remember surgeons cut and when its gone, its gone and cant be put back. A surgeon will always recommend surgery and radiation oncologists recommend radiation, etc. Go to a major cancer center where an entire team of specialists will work together with this and they will make a group decision about your individual case. Good luck!!! PS.... There are unfortunately many who have no known cause for getting oral cancer. I personally know several younger women who are non smokers, only light drinkers and HPV- yet they have been diagnosed with OC. My guess would be 5 - 10% of all OC cases have no known cause.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | Ditto what Dave said. See someone else, someone who knows oral cancer, and do it soon. It may be something entirely different but best to know what is going on right?
best of luck.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 4 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 4 | Thank you all for your responses. You have convinced me to switch doctors and request a PET scan. I am waiting for a return phone call right now. I feel that I have a very valid concern. Plus, this doctor is retiring anyway.
I'm just not willing to gamble on this. I will keep you updated!
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