| Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 7 "OCF Canuck" Member | OP "OCF Canuck" Member Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 7 | Hi all,
How common is ear pain as a symptom of OSC? I've had recurrent, persistent ear pain in my left ear on and off for a month now. My diagnosis was severe epithelial dysplasia on my left maxillary gingiva last summer, with tissue removed in July, August & September. Since then, I've had some facial nerve pain and numbness that has mostly subsided. I've been examined by an ENT, an oral pathologist, and a neurologist in December, January, and February and had a CT Scan of my facial bones & sinuses in December and all is clear. I also had a root canal in December in the same area which my endodontist said likely caused the nerve pain. It's all been on the left side of my face. No apparent swollen nodes at this time. Could we have missed something? Any advice?
Thanks so much for your thoughts. You guys are the best!
Nick
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 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: 6 | Persistant ear pain is one of main common symptoms of oral cancer. Many oral cancers are not found until the late stages as many patients exhibit no recognizable symptoms. Myself, I had what I thought was a canker sore for a few months. I did not have ear or facial pain.
It sounds like you have seen many doctors and had many tests done. Count your blessings that you do NOT have oral cancer! Not all dysplasia turns into cancer. My advice would be if you are not satisfied with the doctors you have seen to keep looking for someone who will do more tests.
Hope you continue to not need to be here. 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 | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 291 Gold Member (200+ posts) | Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 291 | Hi, I experienced ear pain that was not a result of my oral tongue cancer but instead TMJ. The TMJ was most probably from tension as a result of my anxiety, etc, at the time. When I was told by a dentist specializing in oral cancer patients that this was what it was, I was able to relax and discover that indeed it was the way I was holding my jaw, etc.
While I know that TMJ can cause ear pain, when you are an oral cancer patient it is alarming, and you should not ignore this symptom, but be aware that it could simply be muscular tension.
Best, Anne
SCC tongue 9/2010, excised w/clear margins:8 X 4 mm, 1 mm deep Neck Met, 10/2010, 1 cm lymph node; 12/21/'10: Neck Diss 30 nodes, 29 clear, micro ECE node, part tongue gloss, no residual scc IMRT & 6 cisplatin 1/20/11-2/28/11 at MDA GIST tumor sarcoma, removed 9/2011, no chemo needed Clear on both counts as of Fall, 2021
| | | | Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 2 Member | Member Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 2 | Actually Pain in the ear can occur because of conditions within the ear, the ear canal, or affecting the visible portion of the ear. | | | | 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 | Everyone's advice here is good and correct... Do have it checked out though, it could be an ear infection but definitely have it looked at.
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
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