Welcome to OCF. I will give you some basic info that should help you. If you are unsatisfied with the ENT you have seen then go to another one. Look for one who specializes in oral cancer.

It sounds to me like you feel a biopsy wont catch your cancer. A biopsy is a definitive yes or no that the removed tissue is cancerous or benign. When seeing a doctor it is very important to have a good conversation with them to explain everything you have going on. Demanding medical tests or surgeries doesnt establish a good relationship with your doctor. Of course you would want to advocate for yourself but demanding something usually isnt the way to do it. Skipping being diagnosed and heading right to a surgeon is not going to get you the right medical help. You cant treat something until it is found. Take it one step at a time and begin by being seen by a qualified ENT.

Reading the stories of others will not clarify what is going on with you. It will only further confuse things and make you afraid thinking 'what if'. Sure there are some people who are misdiagnosed but that does not happen to everyone. Im not one who like statistics but I think it will help you. There are approximately 37,000 oral cancer patients diagnosed per year. This means in the US about 100 people per day. That makes it only about 2 people per state per day get this diagnosis. I hope you will not turn out to be one of those people. Remember that everyone is different and will respond to things in their own way.

Best wishes.



Christine
SCC 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 smile