Hi Everyone,

I've been reading on this site for about 6 weeks now. I was diagnosed with low grade mucoepidermoid on November 5, 2010. I had a small lump on the roof of my mouth in my soft palate that I noticed about a year ago. I finally asked the dentist about it in September and he referred me to an oral surgeon to take a look. The oral surgeon said that these types of cysts are likely benign and nothing to be worried about - but it should come out at some point. There was no rush so I waited another two months to fit the removal into my busy schedule. We were all shocked when I got the call a few days later that it came back as cancer. How crazy things in your life can change in a second. I had just trekked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in July and had just returned from skydiving in switzerland. How could I have cancer?!? I'm a 36 year old non-smoker in excellent health!

I am scheduled for surgery on January 25th at Johns Hopkins with Dr. Wayne Koch. It seems that I have it easy compared to many others on this board. MRI showed no residual cancer anywhere, so I am getting off rather easy with just surgery and then monitoring for the next several years. Of course, I'm scared about the surgery since I have no idea what to expect in terms of pain, recovery, etc. I do feel like I am in the best possible care at Hopkins with their ENT/Head Neck Surgery team. They will run pathology while I'm on the table, so I will know when I wake up that I am (hopefully) cancer free.

This board has been wonderful for information the past 6 weeks and hopefully I can contribute at some point for others with this same situation in the future. It's so hard to find MEC information since it seems to be so rare.

I wish everyone the happiest of holidays and a wonderful 2011!

Joy

Joy, thanks for sharing that and welcome. It sounds as if you're in the best of hands. We're all pulling for you.

David 2

Joy, welcome to OCF. There are several on here with the same type of cancer as you. It seems like in the past few weeks there have been a few to join OCF. Im glad there is a place to come to get important info and support about your type of cancer.

You age will help you will your battle. So will your physical strength. To me it sounds like you must have a very interesting life!

The doctor who is treating you has been mentioned by a few people on here. One person is a friend of mine and she had only the best things to say about this doctor. He is very competent!

Many of us in the northeast US know each other personally. There are several of us who live in eastern PA and NJ. If you are in this area, maybe you could join us at the walks for oral cancer next year.

Best wishes with everything you are facing! Hope you have the best Christmas ever and a healthy 2011.

Joy, welcome to our family, even tho we hate to see so many geting this stuff we have, You are in the right forums for advice and friends. As for you " How can I have Cancer" , Cancer doesn't know any age or physical condition or really dosen't care. It just happens. I'll ask davidcpa's favorite question. Have you had a biopsy to find out if it can be HPV or maybe some other cause they can put a name to?? Ditto to what the others have said.

Joy

Welcome to OCF and the world of oral cancer - This cancer just gets younger and younger involuntary recruits for a club that no one wants to join. I loved the view of Machu Picchu from Huayna Picchu. I was there back in 1982 and was saddened to read in wikipedia how it's been developed and changed since then.
We stayed overnight so had the place to ourselves for a while.
You'll be globe trotting again before you know it.
Keep the Faith
Charm

Welcome Joy, Last year on December 29 I had surgery for low to intermediate grade mucoepidermoid cancer of the sublingual gland. All I can tell you is my experience. It was not a difficult surgery. I spent one night in the hospital and recovery was very quick and and without complications. I was back to work in a week. I am on check-ups every six months with my ENT Dr and so far so good. Good Luck to you. Pat

Hi Everyone,

I am now 3 weeks post surgery and can happily report that everything is great. It took two attempts at clear margins while I was under, but we got them. I ended up with a large hole in the soft palate, but was lucky that no flaps were needed. The recovery was pretty easy - minus the nasty trush infection that arrived about 5 days later. But, I'm very lucky to have caught this so early, the hole is healing nicely and life is getting back to normal.

I just wanted to thank everyone on this site. I can honestly say that this board made going into my surgery so much easier. You guys are a special bunch for sure. I look forward to staying online and hoping I can help in anyway that I can.

Joy

So glad for the good report, Joy!

Congrats on news we love to read.

That's just great, Joy.
d2

Excellent news, Joy!!! So glad you are doing so well. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Dont be a stranger

That's fantastic news - best of luck to you in your future travels an take care!

Joy, how things happens at different people in the same way in different parts of the world. I have almost your age, I am 37 and I was detected with low grade mucoepidermic carcinoma in the soft palatte too. I am also a person that travel a lot. The tumor was removed last tuesday march 1st with all margin clear. like you the surgery was a success and the doctor didnt recommend anything since this type of cancer are not that aggresive. Hopefully you continue to be fine and congratulations.

Mauricio Diaz
Low Grade Mucoepidermic Cancer in the Soft Palette diagnosed in 02/19/11 had surgery in 3/1/11 at the Hospital Angeles in Mexico City with margins clear.