Hi everyone

After much hesitation, I finally joined the OCF thanks to my new found friends Christine B and Gabe! I am still unsure about the workings of this site so please bear with me as I learn!

My name is Liza, I am 43 and was diagnosed with SCC of the buccal micosa which arose from Oral Lichens Planus (very rare, I am told!!)I was being monitored by a dental surgeon for months. The Lichens eventually failed to respond to any treatment, the pain changed and it started to look a little angrier than normal.A biopsy was done which much to my dismay came back positive for early stage SCC. I then got referred to an ENT surgeon who recommended I have surgery and a neck dissection. Surgery was on 27/9/2010, 10 hours long, nodes were negative and all margins were clear.No radiation or chemo was needed at the time.

A few weeks ago, I found a lump in my neck, the size of a small pea. Went to see my doctor who who sent me for an ultrasound of my neck and a biopsy. However, the ultrasound showed another lump just under my jaw bone which I had noticed a few weeks after surgery. I just thought it was part of a gland or something to do with the surgery.The ultrasound report said it was nodule in my submandibular gland. But, I was told the submandibular gland was removed during my surgery!!My surgeon is cautious about what he thinks although he seems to believe the lump is something that is part of the work done in that area during the operation. God, I hope he is right!! But, I am terrified it will come back positive. Everyday is getting harder to get through as I wait for the phone to ring. All kinds of thoughts are going through my head..I have never experienced such fear in my life. I am trying to keep busy, and just praying to God constantly to give me courage and strenght.

I have already been in touch with Christine B and Gabe who have been so helpful and kind with her advice. Thank you Christine and Gabe! I was just wondering if there are any more buccal mucosa cancer patients on this site? It seems to be quite rare.

Have a nice day :-)

SCC of the Buccal Mucosa (R cheek)- T1N0M0.10 hour Surgery on 27/9/10 involving resection with freeflap from radial forearm..clear margins. Neck dissection..negative nodes.Trachy, NGT, no rad or chemo needed at the time. Neck lump positive for SCC..again! MND 14/2/11. Waiting to have chemo and rads