well, finally 3 mos. after diagnosis and multiple scans, the tumor board has recommended removal to clear margins and to treat the trismus, and if all is clear for next year or so will plan on bone and skin graft to cover palate defect. They said that cancer that starts in the buccal area is a very aggressive form of cancer and that I would be fighting reoccurance for the rest of my life.
1st diagnosis 2000 R buccal-clean margins 2nd diagnosis 2003 R buccal, R soft/hard palate-removal to clean margins radiation + obturator (had lock jaw, minimal oral opening 3rd diagnosis 2010 R buccal -haven't had 2nd opionion yet. ENT wants to do total maxillectomy even though cancer is localized
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