Welcome to OCF, Steven! Im very sorry you have been recently diagnosed! I remember that shock of when I was first told and how naive I was back then. Best thing I can tell you is to read, read, and read some more!!! But choose the source of your research carefully and avoid Dr Google!!! At OCF, we are proud to carry the health on the net badge which not many cancer websites can say. The health on the net shows our site adheres to providing only correct and up to date medical info. By reading both here and on the main OCF site, you are educating yourself about oral cancer so you will have a much better understanding of the disease, treatments, etc and become a strong advocate for yourself. Remember, knowledge is power!!!
As far as Dr Marx, any other physician or treatment facility is concerned, OCF does NOT rate or promote one over another. There are dozens of websites that rate doctors, dentists, lawyers, hospitals or anything else you can think of using their own set of criteria to rate them on. In todays world of litigation, its best to avoid mentioning specific people or even hinting about a personal opinion regarding any medical professionals. OCF always avoids disparaging remarks and prefers to maintain a positive, diverse site where we all learn from each other while bonding over a common enemy, oral cancer (OC). Some things we always tell our members is to seek out the very best medical care you can and go with it, second opinions are very important, and if possible try to get an appointment at a comprehensive cancer centers (CCCs). Its been proven patients treated at a CCC have the best outcomes. CCCs operate using a team based approach where all the specialists work together so everyone is on the same page. Their meetings are called tumor boards and the patient and their caregiver are allowed to attend and ask questions. If possible, try to not let location be what determines your doctor or treatment facility. The CCCs offer very low cost or free patient lodging nearby and supply transportation to their facility and theres even places who fly cancer patients for free or very low cost. Off the top of my head the top CCCs are MD Anderson, Sloan Kettering, Johns Hopkins, and Moffitt (near Tampa, FL).
I noticed you mentioned reading about teeth removal on the forum. Yes, thats probably nothing you need to be concerned about at this time. No matter what your treatment plan is or where you're being treated you will need to go to the dentist to get an exam and a thorough cleaning. Not all dentists are knowledgeable about OC, if yours isnt you will need to find a dentist who is so your teeth are properly examined and prepared for the treatment phase.
Something almost all OC patients experience is temporarily compromised ability to eat and drink. The best thing I can tell you is to start immediately on eating all your favorite foods, desserts too. You do NOT want to go into this having food cravings as its likely to be several weeks, possibly months until OC patients can enjoy all their favorite foods. Dont worry about gaining weight by eating all your favorite foods, most patients will lose weight during treatments even if taking in significantly higher than usual calories.
Hope this info wasnt overwhelming. Theres just sooooo much to learn when you first start out. Im very glad you have found our site as now you have an excellent resource to help you with everything. You're among friends here, we completely understand everything you are dealing with. Feel free to ask questions and its ok to lean on us when you need to. The Understanding OC section in the following link has TONS of info including things newly diagnosed patients should do and know, types of treatments,
HPV (not normally found to cause OC where your tumor is located), complications some patients experience, and theres even a financial assistance section with links to organizations that may be helpful. Best wishes with everything!!!
Main OCF site, Understanding Oral CancerNCI CCC list, (can view by map too)
