Heather,
Thanks for the info. Dental Oncology is such a rare specialty, it was very a difficult search. I am treated by Dr. Ryan Lee, offices in NYC and Boston. He is doing excellent work on my restoration. He offers a 40% discount to oral cancer survivor, still a significant expense, at least for me. I've made two visits, one more scheduled in September.

His connections and relationships to academia and industry keeps him at the forefront of treatment techniques and technologies. This is how he can offer his cancer survivor program.

Hi DonFoo -

I had a dental oncologist (10 years ago) who was excellent when I lived in Orange County (I think you are in SF, yes?). His name is Dr. Nelson Lowe (714-550-7474) and he is in Santa Ana. If you call him he might have referrals for your local area. If you can’t find anyone near you, he is worth a visit (call first to make sure he can help your situation).

Heather

Hi SPM,

I just came across your post from May. Did anyone get back to you? I am sad to hear what your Mom is going through (and by default, you). You asked very good questions. Have they staged her cancer yet? If they have said she needs a mandible removed it sounds advanced? I can’t answer any of your questions from a professional standpoint but there are others here who can. Try reposting your original post to the main forum page and you should get a better response. I can tell you that if bone is irradiated they don’t hold implants well (from recent research for myself). Chewing and eating normally will never be the same for most of us, but that will depend on what is done and how she heals.

The only advice I can give you is that it is ultimately your Mom’s choice. She might benefit from seeing a therapist to discuss things with (an outside person might help her see things on a less emotional level). If she doesn’t want the surgery, it can’t be forced. However she should be made aware of exactly what living out her life with her current condition will mean. Know that whatever she chooses is HER choice and not a reflection of your love for her or your effort on her part.

Heather

Sadly, from what I am currently experiencing, oral surgeons are not keen to place implants in mouths that have been irradiated. I thought the same (and was griping about the potential expense) but they now prefer to extract if the tooth is infected and NOT replace unless it is in the form of a bridge (which impacts the healthy remaining teeth). Root canals are still used to preserve teeth, however I have had a 4 yr old root canal fail which now requires extraction.

I’m a 10 year survivor. You would think by now some brilliant professional would have developed a way to identify bone that will survive implants, and which will not. Instead, those who treat you in the acute phase don’t worry if your teeth survive or if you will be able to chew properly. Their sole focus is eradicating the cancer and keeping you alive. It’s a crucial job and we are all definitely thankful for their efforts on our behalf. This is about what comes AFTER. Research (which should be done by prothedontosists I believe) seems to be lacking and there should be more concern about the level of long term effects and care as survivors are getting younger and younger. It should not be a situation that is written off as, “You survived - you are lucky.”. Often there is a lot more involved (as you all know). So we accept, we adjust our expectations, we endure and we survive. Some of us are no longer lucky enough to have teeth, or tongues, or hard or soft palates, or mandibles in which to set implants or wear dentures on top of…therefore not even having the luxury of experiencing food in a ‘normal’ way. I am heavily reminded of this every time I come to this forum for information and advice. I have nothing but awe and admiration for those who have travelled a deeper path and overcome what to me seems insurmountable.

Apologies for the rant. I just feel that our ongoing care should be equal to the technical discoveries that are occurring at the acute levels of treatment.

Heather