New to forum and and dealing with cancer. Still many questions to be answered from physicians. PET scan pending but biopsy says squamous cell stage 3. Radiation treatments will start after scan and plan is developed. Should be meeting with medical oncologist soon concerning chemo.

Thought I would start now becoming familiar with others stories and this site. Will update when info is available.

I am glad to find this info available.

Hi, Timmi
welcome to the OCF website - sorry that you have to be hear, but glad that you found us. Please be sure to write down all of your questions in a notebook, and bring them along to your appointment. It is easy to become overwhelmed and forget your questions!
Maria

Welcome to OCF, Timmi! Sorry you have needed to find this forum but you have found the very best source for info and support. Staging is not able to be determined until a PET is done so they can accurately measure the size of the tumor. The biopsy is only able to confirm what the tumor is if its cancerous or not.

There are many pages of important info on the main OCF pages. There are many things there which will help get you thru the flurry of your first appointments. I suggest taking a notebook and getting a business card from every single doctors office you go to. Staple these cards to the back page of your notebook so if you need them in an emergency they are easy to find. Especially if your caregiver needs to call for you, alot easier than trying to find it in your cell phone contact list when you arent sure of the persons name.

Take a friend or relative along with you to the appointments so they can be an extra set of ears. Too often we turn out hearing off after getting bad news. This can help you to better understand and remember exactly what was discussed.

At this point you may want to consider seeking out a second opinion at a large top rated cancer center. This will give you the very best shot at beating this the very first time. A cancer center will have an entire team of specialists discuss your individual case and make suggestions based on several specialists input and of course the NCI guidelines. They will also have the most experience in treating oral cancer.

At this point you will want to eat everything you can and not worry about gaining weight. Your sense of taste could be affected as could your ability to eat and swallow. For most patients its temporary and will return to your original ability to eat or close to it when you recover. But recovery can take a while so eat everything now so you have no regrets or cravings when you arent feeling the best.

Please ask questions and we can help you thru this.

Thanks for all the advise. I saw oncology radiologist today and he is the one who said stage 3. Possibly an educated guess. Admits he can't be sure without PET scan. I will be looking into CCC. Sounds like the smart thing to do. I will be seeing ENT again tomorrow and family physician the next day. I will certainly be back here in the future with questions. Again thanks! My notebook is started.

Timmi, this link to the main pages may have some helpful info. Please take a couple minutes to read about Staging and Best Hospitals.

Staging from main OCF pages

Cancer Centers

Hi there and sorry you need to join our group - where is your cancer located? Move quickly regardless get answers and treatment info. Take care

Welcome Timmi! Got a great bunch of people here so feel free to ask any questions that cross your mind.

I agree that you need to seek out multiple opinions and then go from there.

Best of luck!