My mother was diagnosed with Stage I squamous cell carcinoma in her mouth about 4 years ago. The tumor was small and was removed complete at one of the leading hospitals in this field here in New York. The doctor said that he hbelieved that she was cured forever (all pet/cat scans were good, they did the biopsy of the lymph nodes - negative; pathalogy report was good - no invasion). But then it happened again and again. Just 4 months ago the dentist saw a white spot in her mouth and decided to to a biopsy - positive; very small tumor in the early stages; great pathology report after surgery. And it was in a different place than the initial surgery.

Doctor said that radiation is not necessary since there was invasion. Plus, you can do it only once...

And even if we wanted to do the radiation treatment, isn't it focused on a particular place? In other words, what is the point of radiation when the tumor was small and was completely removed, and the cancer recurred in a different place in the mouth? I don't know what else we can do to fight this as she seems to get those "spots" every few months. She is a non-smoker/non-drinker. It all started with some leukoplakia/linchen planus in her mouth many years ago.

Any suggestions? Did you read about beta carotene chemo-prevention trials for leukoplakia? What does your doctor say, if you have a similar problem?

Very desperate for answers...