Hi Folks,

My name is Catherine. Thank you for this wonderful site!

I am a former smoker. I live in rural Essex County, VA, 80 miles from Newport News. VA and 45 miles from Richmond, VA.

I was diagnosed with SCC on the floor of the mouth last Friday (10/03) in Newport News, the location of my dentist. I was referred to an oral surgeon there who preformed:

�a biopsy of a midline floor of the mouth lesion. The lesion was initially approximately 2mm in diameter, gray, raised, nonpainful, approximately 1 month duration, at the base of the anterior ventral tongue, and involving the lingual frenum. An excisional biopsy was accomplished on 23 September 2008 and submitted for histopathologic exam to Medical College of Virginia. The diagnosis of superficially invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma was returned. Surgical margins of the examined sections were reported to be free of tumor.�

The staging has not taken place. I live in the country and I am having difficulty finding an ENT in the Richmond area. My family doctor is contacting the ENT department at MCV, but he seems to have no specific knowledge of any one doctor to recommend. I am also trying to find an ENT in Newport News for possible treatment there. If anyone can share their treatment experiences with me for these two cities, I would be very grateful. Are there any websites available that give information about ENTs in VA and their experience with SCC? Private messages welcome!

I have been told, based on the evidence so far, that this cancerous tumor was caught very early. That idea is presented as good news, but until staging is done, the true extent of the cancer is still unknown. Has anyone had success with a surgery-only treatment (no radiation) with a tumor similar to mine (assuming no additional cancerous involvement)? Or, is radiation always used as a follow-up?

Like many of you, I am sure, while at the beginning of this process, I feel lost. Any information you can provide as to what to expect would be gratefully appreciated. I hope I have found a new extended family!

Peace,
Catherine