Diagnosed last week with SCC of the buccal mucosa (cheek).
PET Monday, 3/15.
My ENT has done a fair amount of thinking out loud, but plans will depend to some degree on PET results and on margins at surgery. Best case no bone will have to be removed, limited neck dissection.
He's not a cancer guy. Advises 1 H&N cancer surgeon locally or go to a center 200 miles away. I also have a friend who was cured about 20 years ago at MD Anderson. I kinda think most centers will have surgeons capable of good results with tumor free margins.
He also thinks I'll need a forearm free flap. Indicates many of the H&N cancer surgeons do them themselves. I'm wondering if a plastic surgeon wouldn't get a better result cosmetically.
I welcome comments, suggestions or thoughts.