 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Its still SCC. It was just located on the inside of my cheek vs side or tongue, etc. Since I had 2 separate tumors, I was first treated with chemo and radiation which did cure me so surgery wasnt necessary. My recurrence was on the inside of my cheek close to the first spot. This was surgically removed. I would think many factors come into play when it comes to how someone is treated. Its not always just surgery, a free flap is not usually necessary. Again, that all depends on size of the tumor, something small wont need a free flap. My doc was able to scoop it out with clean margins. The only thing I noticed on the outside was I lost my dimple when he did that surgery. Not many members on OCF have a tumor on the inside of their cheeks.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | 
