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#190991 10-19-2015 07:59 PM
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The dentist today noticed this in my husband's mouth: 9mm x 6 mm lesion with a tannish center and white and red border. He asked if it was painful -- it is, but my husband inexplicably said it WASN'T painful. He's had the lesion for a couple of weeks.

The dentist emphatically told my spouse to get an appointment with an oral surgeon right away for evaluation.

I know not to diagnose via the Internet, but I'd be very grateful for any comments people here about what the lesion means, and how serious it might be.

Thanks.

Martin

martin11 #190994 10-20-2015 12:11 AM
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Hello, I know that is very stressful for you both.
However, I couldn't even begin to comment on what this lesion may be. None of here are Doctors. We are Oral Cancer Patients, Survivors and Caregivers.
Please stay away from Dr Google and all the misinformation there.
Either make an urgent appointment with an Oral Surgeon, or an Otolaryngologist. You don't want an ENT Dr who just does grommets for kids.
As your Husband has had this lesion for longer than 2 weeks , he needs to have it biopsied. Only a biopsy will tell you what this is.
Good on your Dentist for commenting on this lesion and recommending further evaluation.
I wish you the best and hope that this turns out to be benign and nothing to be concerned about.
Tammy.


Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!
martin11 #190997 10-20-2015 09:23 AM
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Your sore could be any number of things besides oral cancer. But you still should get it checked by a professional, such as an ENT or oral surgeon. Make sure you select one who treats oral cancer patients so they are more familiar with what to look for. A biopsy is the only way to be certain what it is you have. Hopefully its nothing serious and you wont need our group. If it would be cancer, then you are in the right place for info and support.

Good luck!


Christine
SCC 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 smile
tamvonk #191001 10-20-2015 07:36 PM
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Thanks, Tammy. Yes, the rational part of me is wary of Dr. Google; the anxious part just wants quick answers.

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[quote=ChristineB]But you still should get it checked by a professional, such as an ENT or oral surgeon. Make sure you select one who treats oral cancer patients so they are more familiar with what to look for. [/quote]

Thanks, Christine. Making it more stressful is that the dentist told my husband, "You need to see an oral surgeon TOMORROW!" Can't get to the oral surgeon without a referral from the primary care physician. Couldn't get a next-day appointment with the PCP.

martin11 #191008 10-21-2015 08:01 AM
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Call the PCP and ask for the referral over the phone. And ask to see an ENT (not oral surgeon) that deals with Oral cancer. I'm not saying that's what it is, BUT as christine said... you want someone who is very familiar with OC. and kudos to your dentist for doing his job!


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
martin11 #191021 10-22-2015 07:35 PM
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The PCP gave him a referral -- not to en ENT, but to the same oral surgeon to whom the dentist made the referral. I suppose the doc has a reputation for expertise in the field. But he doesn't have any openings for three weeks. That did NOT please the referring dentist, who said he'd call the O.S. to make something happen sooner.

I'll tell you this much: With open enrollment underway at work, I'm thinking it's time to ditch the HMO and go with the wider network of the PPO.

martin11 #191026 10-23-2015 12:29 AM
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Often a call from another doctor's office will make things happen sooner. When I first went to an oral surgeon for a consult, he had me come back a second time to actually do the biopsy. Push to have it done on the first visit if possible. If often is hard to get an appointment with an ENT that treats oral cancer until you have been diagnosed with oral cancer. Wishing you the best!


Susan

SCC R-Lateral tongue, T1N0M0
Age 47 at Dx, non-smoker, casual drinker, HPV-
Surgery: June 2005
RT: Feb-Apr 2006
HBOT: 45 in 2008; 30 in 2013; 30 in 2022 -> Total 105!
Recurrence/Surgeries: Jan & Apr 2010
Biopsy 2/2011: Moderate dysplasia
Surgery 4/2011: Mild dysplasia
Dental issues: 2013-2022 (ORN)
martin11 #191032 10-23-2015 05:49 PM
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Thanks, Susan.

Appointment is for Monday. Fingers crossed...


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