Hello all, I am trying to keep my friend on the right track to the best outcome. He was recently diagnosed with Stage 2 tongue cancer. I encouraged him to get a second opinion from a top specialist at Mayo, and he eventually agreed. He had surgery locally, with biopsies during surgery to verify removal of problem. He has had a one week follow up, and his surgeon said all is well, and that he should just go on living his life and after a 3 mo follow up he should be good to go.
I have been battling leukemia, and have made it my business to keep on top of my treatment by using forums and making sure that my doctors at minimum follow the NCCN guidelines for follow up.
I gave him the link to the guidelines, and told him to insist on the minimum guidelines, but to try for a more rigorous follow up. His guidelines call for follow ups the first year every 1 to 3 mo (he is getting the 3 mo currently). It also calls for another scan at the 6 mo mark.
His dr has not informed him of this protocol.
I would appreciate any info or experience that you could share with me (and him) on this subject.
My leukemia forum has helped me immensely, and I thank you for your help on this. Parenthetically, I have tried searching first before posting.
I wish you all the best in your battles, and to those of you in OK, my thoughts are with you. Jackk