#70807 02-29-2008 02:24 PM | Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 27 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 27 | My mom had her appt today at Sloan Kettering at it seemed very positive. She has a mucoepidermoid carcinoma in the minor salivary gland (lower lip). The dr. had scheduled surgery for March 12 to remove tumor. He will be removing part of her lip until margins are clear. Upon physical examination, he has determined that the cancer has not spread to her lymph nodes. He believes that this will take care of the problem and the cancer will be gone. He said that an MRI or Pet Scan would not be necessary. When I asked him what stage of cancer it was, he said that it is not really important because the outcome is the same. Surgery.. He believed it was low to intermediate grade.
I am very happy with his optimism and I know that my mom is at the best place possible but I am afraid to be too happy with his diagnosis. Has anyone ever had just a lip disection? He also said that he would know more once he was in surgery. Should I be insisting on more tests for my mom? If anyone has any experience with this, I would love to hear from you. Thanks for your time.
CG to Mom. Dx 2/08. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma in the minor salivary gland in lower lip. Surgery 3/12/08. Margins clear but not clear enough. Surgery scheduled for 4/23/08. Surgery Successful. Clear Margins
| | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | I wouldn't be happy with one doctor's opinion, even if he is at one of the best cancer institutions in the world. I am surprised that he has not staged the disease also. While this particular cancer like to stay localized, I would want to know for sure. He can't tell that without proper scans etc. My guess is he is a surgeon. I am less interested in what he believes than I am in what he knows for sure.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant. | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | I am surprised as well by his remarks and I haven't been around nor know near as much as Brian. I have learned that you need to be looking out for your own interests and I would definitely seek another qualified cancer specialists' opinion. I went to 5 before I thought I was informed enough to make a decision about my life. This cancer has proven time and again to be one tough mean SOB and most doctors don't believe "only surgery" is the prudent treatment modality.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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