He was stunned with the diagnosis, having gone for a 6 month cleaning and the hygenist went to get the dentist immediately and then to the oral surgeon for a biopsy..

I remember thinking he had lost weight and asked the doctor about it as he had been there in February for his annual physical.

Wouldn't blood work have shown any cancer cells if they were there in February?

Husband has bucal mucosa tumor on right side, Stage 1, biopsied November 1, 2010 by oral surgeon/MD same day from hygienst appt. by dentist. Photodynamic Therapy clinical trial, 12/8/2010, follow up Jan. Feb. with a biopsy March, 2011. No chemo/radiation. Smoking stopped July 1974.