 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | No white blood cells would mean there is no infection.
Few "oral type flora" would mean that your viral or bacterial loading is within normal limits (i.e. thrush, fungi)etc. We all have some of this in our mouths.
I would be asking the doctor for an explanation of the "rare epithelial cells".
A mouth swab does not have the degree of accuracy that a biopsy does and it is mainly a pre-screening tool.
Like with Hep C they can give an antibody test but it has a high "false positive" rate. They always confirm hep C with a PCR/DNA test which is 99%.
Don't freak out yet. Are you seeing an ENT or head&neck surgeon? Reread Helens post from 8/09
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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