Hi Patty -
First off, calm down, you don't know anything right now except that you've found a couple of spots and they are numb. That doesn't mean you have cancer.

An oral specialist (not quite sure what your dentist means by that) may or may not be who you need to see. It probably won't hurt to see what oral specialist has to say, but if you have any doubt after that visit, then get to an ENT (ear,nose,throat) specialist who specifically has experience and knowledge in oral cancer. There are a lot of ENT's who don't have the oral cancer training, they won't be much (if any) help to you. If you call an ENT, ask specifically what their experience with OC is.

Like I said before, you don't know you have cancer, so be patient and wait for the doctor's results. If they suggest a biopsy of the tissue then you can start wondering about cancer, but not before. Biopsy and pathology study is how we identify cancer.

It's way too early in the scheme of things to start worrying about cancer. There are many other (non-cancer) possibilities.

Let us know what comes from the next appointment.

Tony



Tony, 69, non-smoker, aerobatics pilot, bridge player/teacher, avid dancer (ballroom, latin, swing, country)

09/13 SCC, HPV 16, tonsillectomy, T2N0.
11/13 start rads, no chemo
12/13 taste gone, dry mouth,
02/14 hair slowly returning
05/14 taste the same, dry sinuses, irrigation helps.
01/15 food taste about 60% returned, dry sinuses are worse in winter.
12/20 no more sinus problems, taste pretty good