Misty:

I agree wholeheartedly with Brian's comments above. As a nurse practitioner, I can tell you that the MD's comment about only needing to follow up because the result is abnormal is inaccurate.The obligation of all primary health care providers is to provide our clients with results (in a timely fashion), explain those results in a way a lay client can understand, and refer if necessary to specialists if further exploration is needed.Please also keep in mind that some general practitioners are not particularly skilled at interpreting biopsy reports and CAT scans pertaining to oral cancer due to lack of training.In my partner Dave's case, even his GP whom we both adore,gave us false hope about Dave's CT that read "tonsillar enlargement & one enlarged lymph node". He was going to chalk that reading up to an infection but luckily the final word came from our ENT who validated that those findings were consistent with those in tonsillar cancer. The lesson-a trained eye is key.

I also agree strongly that the sequence and rationale for the CAT scan is incorrect. If yo have a positive finding in your node on exam, that is abnormal regardless and mandates both gathering of more information to assess the cause AND tight follow-up within a short time frame, especially if the node is firm, non-tender, and of long duration.

My suggestion is to obtain a copy of your biopsy (I don't know how the military works but a copy should be given without question and cannot be denied because it is YOUR medical record) and seek counsel from an ENT.

PLEASE keep us posted &

Best of Luck,

Kim