Hi Youngin - Sounds like the doctor doesn't think there is anything to be concerned about, and maybe not, but it still concerns me a little bit that they did not do a biopsy. There are different kinds of biopsies and you can read up on them here: http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/diagnosis/index.htm
(read what they say about "oral brush biopsy") My son went to UT Medical Center and they have a section on their web site where you can check the creditials of all their doctors. I tried to find a site for Park West but couldn't see anything similar. If you still feel the need to check with a different type of doctor, my son's maxillofacial surgeon is dr. Eric Carlson at UT MEdical Center and the Dr that did the biopsy is Dr. William R. High on Peters Road (not too far from Park West). I probably just worry too much, but I guess mothers just do that. Perhaps someone else here can give you their take on this.

Hey everbody. It the hypochondriac from E. TN. again. I'm still chasing my tail around and obsessing over this lump on the roof of my mouth. I know, GET A BIOPSY. These DRs don't seem to want to biopsy this thing for whatever reason. My dentist said that I should listen to the advice of three Drs and get on with my life. He also said that I didn't want anyone to biopsy this thing, because they would more than likely excise the whole lump and it would be painfull. Am I missing something here? What about FNA? Could they be so sure that this is nothing? What the heck is it? All my research points me toward tumor of soft palate. It's hard, fixed and I can't tell if its growing. Ive even used chewing gum to press against it and try to measure it. It seems to be about 1 cm. but I have know idea how deep it is. This is getting ridiculous. Should I be satisfied with these guys 30 second assessments of this lump or should I be looking for another ENT? Is it common for even an ENT to miss such a diagosis? I guess what bugs me is that none of them have offered me and explanation as to what it IS. I'm sorry you all probably think I'm nuts and at this point, you might be right.

Have you seen an ENT that specializes in cancer? Some ENT's make their living putting tubes in kids ears so if it were me I would get another referal and if you can get one to a CC or CCC even all the better.

And forget what the dentist told you... Mine couldn't recognize a 6 cm tonsil tumor.

Is Parkwest a CC?

This board is full of stories of Drs that missed early on. You know that you need to get it biopsied, so please follow the advice of the very wise man, Gary, who posted above and find an ENT that specializes in cancer.

Tim

Hey, Youngin'.....(I'm a Tennessee native myself, so we're probably kin.) Please don't be one more of us whose cancer was mis-diagnosed and allowed to grow un-treated. Please call a cancer center....UT Knoxville or Memphis....or Vanderbilt....and self-refer for an ENT consultation. YOu can not afford to ignore this. You are thinking correctly. Everything has a diagnosis. Nothing is just "there." Find out what it is.

OK Youngin' - I think it is REALLY time to get the biopsy. I previously tried to check out ParkWest for you but couldn't even find a web site for them so I don't know if they are a CCC, but I DO know that U.T.Medical Center IS a CCC (Commprehensive Cancer Center). Dr. Eric Carlson a maxillofacial surgeon, did my son's surgery. Call him! If you want more specific info, (so you can mention my son) you can PM me or email me. Just click on the first or second little box just above my post. You have choices and it doesn't sound to me like being an obsessing hypochondriac is making you too happy. A biopsy would settle things one way or another. Getting a biopsy is no big deal. If you find out that you really are just a hypochondriac, it's certainly a lot better than finding out you have cancer. Delaying things just makes it worse.

Another CCC you could check out is the Thompson Cancer Survival Center in Knoxville, TN Their website is: http://www.thompsoncancer.com/tcsc-home.cfm They are part of the M.D.Anderson physicians network.

Thanks again guys. I think I age about ten years everytime someone pokes around in my mouth. Anne-Marie thanks for the lead again, I'm going to call Dr. Carlson. This just doesn't seem right that you can't trust what a doctor tells you.

Well, Youngin - Gary makes a good point about seeing an ENT that specializes in oral cancer. The ENT that just puts tubes in kids ears is probably very good at it, so I don't think it's necessarily a matter of trust but it's like with anything else that you pay for - you go to the person with the best experience and the most qualified and the one that can answer your questions to your satisfaction. I'm sure you'll feel lots better once you take steps to find out one way or another.

Hi youngin, I am a typical victim of doctors' misdiagnosis 5 years ago. I had consulted 4 doctors including ENTs, none of whom were concerned about my swollen left tonsil since I didnit drink or smoke.They kept on giving me antibiotics. When the hard lump appeared on the same side of the neck, I grew worried and the antibiotics didn't have any effect on both the tonsil and lump. It took me almost 9 months to get to an ENT expert who arranged a biopsy and found that it was stage 4 cancer already. My ignorance was largely to blame for the delayed diagnosis because I have to be in control of my own health problem. Get a biopsy asap to ensure peace of mind and you can start getting on with your life, as usual.

Karen

Hey guys. I just got back from the ENT again. No biopsy but this time he scoped my throat and tonsils. He said he checked to area above my soft palate out and this is nothing up there to be concerned with. I'm going to take what this guy says and go on with it. I guess I'll just keep my eye on things for a while.