| | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 1 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 1 | i have been to 4 dentists in the last two weeks...i am very paranoid about oral cancer after finding some sores in my mouth. all 4 dentists saw nothing to be concerned about during the routine exam.
the dentist today at the end of the exam said they could do a Vizalite test if I wanted becuase i told her i was really worried about cancer.
during the exam she found 2 white spots- one on my cheek and the other on the floor of my mouth- non of which were the areas i was worried about. in fact i cant even see what she is talking about.
she told me to come back in 7 days and if the spots are still there i will go to an oral surgeon for a biopsy.
has anyone had experience with these "light" tests? should i make an ENT appt now? im nervous about waiting 7 days. im really freaking out. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 618 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 618 | Ruby,
This is all about waiting and we all hate that part of it. Tests take tiem and the time between tests are ment for the doctors to see if any changes are taking place(for better or worse.
I would follow your current dentisits advice and wait for the next test to tell tou if you need to have an ENT look at it. These light tests are very helpfull in diagnosing early symptoms but are not very precice. Only a biopsy can tell you for sure and you probably need to wait that 7 days to see if these spots either deminish or stay the same. If they are still there, check in with an ENT
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: 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 | Agreed. I have the same problem it's hard to determine if my issues are radiation related or a recurrence (one of the pitfalls of having cancer :P constant wondering if the smallest thing is a recurrence. ) usually the measuring stick for me Is a two week wait - if it hasn't shown improvement or healed it's off to the dr. Wait the requested time - have the test done again and if it's still there see the ENT immediately! Hugs and good 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 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 | Ruby, I understand how scared you are feeling right now. The Vizalite is a tool to help spot possible problems inside a person's mouth. It is not 100% accurate and can not determine if a spot is cancer or something else.
Since it usually takes over a week to get into an ENT, I would start looking for one now. You want to go to someone who is familiar with oral cancer and who does biopsies. You dont want to see the ENT only to be referred to an oral surgeon. So when you call, ask about those things. If your spot goes away before your appointment, you can always call back and cancel it. Its smart thinking to call now to get in there so you dont have to wait even longer.
The rule here is if you have a spot or a sore inside your mouth that has been there for 2 weeks or longer, go see a professional to check it out.
Best wishes!
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  | | |
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