One of my husband's ENTs said the same thing based on his observations. He said something to the effect that with smokers if they quit they have removed what probably caused the outbreak of the cancer to their system. With nonsmokers, what ever triggered the cancer is still there. He didn't have any studies to substantiate this, just personal observation and his best thoughts.

My husband had a biopsy this week. I know that Dan Bogan says it ain't cancer till they say it is, but the new flash on the PET scan for no reason and a mass just showing up after clear scans 2 months ago sounds and looks ominous to me. This will be his 4th go around with SCC.

It would be interesting to see a study of the types of patients with recurrences and if the form in nonsmokers is more aggressive.

Bless your dentist for preaching the early detection to her collegues. I'm always on my soapbox about this. Dentists and hygenists look into the oral cavity way more than doctors. I'm convinced they are the first line of defense in an early diagnosis.

Lowanne