Hello ...My name is Jan, and I had surgery for SCC of the oral mucosa last Monday, June 16, taking a good chunk of my right cheek, some inside the upper and lower lips, and in the corner of my mouth. Some of the inside stitches popped, and there's quite a cavity in my cheek. Stitches should be removed in two stages .. next week and the week after. There was some SCC in the margins so I'm not sure what's next. Currently I'm being treated at Sylvester Cancer Center, Univ. of Miami but I'll be going North for the summer and will be treated at Hospital of Univ. of PA (HUP).

Also, I am an 8 year thyroid cancer survivor so I'm used to the "C word." I know that the first few months after diagnosis is the worst ... and I'm thankful for this forum to help me deal with the new cancer. Any tips you all can give me will be greatly appreciated. So many questions. ... Should I ask for skin grafting inside my mouth? Obviously, pulling the skin together on each side of the excision didn't work because the stitches pulled out.

Thanks for being here and listening.

Hello Jan and welcome,

I can't answer your questions since my treatment was so different. But I wanted to welcome you to the board.

There is a wealth of knowledge regarding oral cancer here and hopefully someone will be along to give you input about your question.

Take care,
Dinah