| | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 11 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 11 | I haven't quite figured out how to work this site but wanted to introduce myself. My name is Sandy but you can call me Sandeshells, or Sandy or anything you want actually. I live in sunny Florida. Most of my Dr's are in Gainesville but I live two and half hours from there. I go to a lot of Doctors because I have Fibromyalgia and other problems. Today however I went to the dentist and he told me I probably have mouth cancer. The only symptom I have are that my gums are white. I just happen to be going to my regular Dr on Friday, so will tell her what the dentist said and go from there. I am not sure then what will then happen. I really don't know what to expect, can anyone help me know what steps will be next? I haven't had the chance to look around yet and meet all of you, but am sorry that you too have had to go through all of this as well. My brother was sick with leukemia for years, and know that it's such a hard thing to deal with. My thoughts and prayers with you all. Thank you for any help you all might give me. Please be patient with my computer abilities to understand the site. Sandy | | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 618 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 618 | Get to an ENT.
White gums can be many things but what you want to know is a definite answer. An ENT can give that to you. Many here went to many doctors before getting either good or bad news.
The defining answer will only come from a biopsy of the tissue. An ENT can do that for you and give you an answer you will be able to deal with.
Ask your Regular doctor to recommend a good ENT in your area if you can get that.
It's not cancer until a biopsy says it is.
Kelly
Male
48, SCC (Soft Palet) Rt.,
Stage 1, T3n0m0,
Dx, 8-09, Start IMRT 35 9-2-09 end 10-21-09
04-20-10 NED
8-11 recurrence, node rt. neck N2b
10-11 33 IMRT w/chemo wkly
3-12-12 PET - residual cancer
4-12 5 treatments with Cyberknife & Erbitux
6-19-12 Pet scan CLEAR
12-3-12 PET - CLEAR
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 179 "OCF Down Under" Senior Member (100+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 179 | Hi Sandy,
I agree with Kelly. The quickest and best way is to get a referral to an ENT (hopefully someone who specialise in cancer) and get a biopsy.
Minh
35 Yrs old
03/10 SCC T1-T2
Partial Glossectemy end March - margins not clear enough.
While waiting for resection - cancer returned,2 new cancerous lumps
Re-section End May & flap from cheek attatched. Margins clear.
Mid June - 4 teeth out
Mid July -32 Rads and 3 Cisplatin
6th Sept 10 Finished Treatment!!
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 11 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 11 | Thanks so much, What does ENT stand for again? Also what does a biopsy feel like? Geez, I had one on my liver before and it was horrible. Thanks again. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 329 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 329 | Some of my gums are white and it's not cancer. I had a CT Scan and PET Scan nothing showed up on my gums. ENT is Ears, Nose and Throat doctor. My biopsy didn't hurt they froze my tongue.
SCC. of the left lateral tongue, anterior two thirds, T1 possibly a T2.
Left partial glossectomy, left selective neck dissection 4/21/09. Nodes clean, No Rad, No Chemo.
CT Scan 9/11 clean, CT Scan 9/12 clean
Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL. A+.
My hometown Lockport, NY.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | ENT is an acronym for an Ears, Nose & Throat doctor. The formal name is Otolaryngologists but they are also called "head and neck surgeons". Three different names, but same doctor.
It's true that the one and only way to know if it is cancer is to have a biopsy and then the pathologist can say for sure what it is. Let's hope it's not cancer.
Charm
Last edited by Charm2017; 11-16-2010 05:10 PM. Reason: typos
65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 11 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 11 | Connie, thanks for that answer, that's encouraging. I don't know why I didn't know what a ENT Doctor was.. geez, I have gone to a real cute one for years. LOL
Thanks again for everyone responding... I guess now, I will just wait. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 11 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 11 | Anyone know how long it will take from getting the biopsy to the results?
Charm, sounds like you're really having a hard time, my prayers and thoughts are with you. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 618 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 618 | Sandy,
It can take up to two weeks to get a result. My doc was great and had his nurse call me within 72 hours (3 days) which I think is about the minimum time.
Good luck.
Kelly
Male
48, SCC (Soft Palet) Rt.,
Stage 1, T3n0m0,
Dx, 8-09, Start IMRT 35 9-2-09 end 10-21-09
04-20-10 NED
8-11 recurrence, node rt. neck N2b
10-11 33 IMRT w/chemo wkly
3-12-12 PET - residual cancer
4-12 5 treatments with Cyberknife & Erbitux
6-19-12 Pet scan CLEAR
12-3-12 PET - CLEAR
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 11 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 11 | Thanks so much Kelly. I bet that will be a long two weeks.
I like your little quote at the bottom of your page.
Blessings everyone~ | | |
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