 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Brandy,
these are well known high risk behaviors. Even mouthwash with alcohol in it increases the cancer risk. If he has drank "excessively" for years then TOTAL abstinence is the ONLY plan that will work, "cutting back" is nonsense and reeks of rescuing/enabling and co-dependency. Plead with him to join AA and quit drinking.
Even if it is not cancer - these are abnormal conditions and a wake up call.
We can't tell you, over the internet, what these bumps are but my advice is to make an appointment with an ENT or head & neck surgeon, with cancer experience, and have an examination and biopsy (if appropriate). The exam should cost around 75 bucks. Unless it's suspicious, they won't biopsy it. A biopsy is around $300.00.
Can he go to the county health care system or is he a veteran?
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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