Dear Diane,
I was also misdiagnosed by a head and neck surgeon. I went to see her 4 different times because I had a lesion on my tongue that was actually eating my tongue away. She told me that she refused to biopsy my lesion because she was positive it was not oral cancer because I didn't fit the profile. (meaning I wasn't a drinker or smoker) And also she told me my tongue was too sore to biopsy. It took me 5 months to be diagnosed which was in October 2002. I had a partial glossectomy and a modified neck disection and I was also diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer and have recently had my thyroid removed. That was on January 14th. The reason I am telling you this is really sad that many doctor's make mistakes on diagnosing Oral Cancer. They truly need to be educated. I went to 5 different specialist until I was diagnosed. This web site will be a great learning experience for you. Brian Hill who is the founder of the Oral Cancer Foundation is full of accurate knowledge. If you have any questions please feel free to ask me or other Cancer Survivors. We are here to help you and your husband in offering you true information.
There are so many Oral Cancer Survivors. I have learned to be a real advocate of my health care.
Learn to ask many questions!!!