[quote=ChristineB]With the odds you mentioned, your chances of the dysplasia developing into cancer are very slim. You are very very lucky!!!! I understand your concern but please try to focus on the stats of 88-97% of all dysplasia will not turn cancerous. Those are some pretty great odds!!! Going back to get checked out every 3 or 6 months is substantially much easier than what an oral cancer patient goes thru. [/quote]

Christine,
I know going back to get checked every 3 - 6 months is much easier than someone with SCC......I feel terrible hearing what people go through. I'm willing to get checked out every 3 - 6 months but I'm questioning why keep going back to check it.....wouldn't it make more sense to remove it now? See what Chemteacher is going through and it makes me feel more like removal is the better option.

BTW......went to see the ENT last night and she says my teeth are sharp on the right side and wants me to go back to my original dentis to have them smoothed out.....and come back in 6 weeks to check the biopsy spot. I asked her a ton of quesions......like what are the chances this could turn to SCC in that amount of time and she says nill to none. I asked her if she has ever had a patient with dysplasia that she was monitoring get SCC and she said no. I'm so darn fed up with trying to figure this all out.

Should I go see another ENT?

I do completely understand your concerns. The fear of the unknown combined with a watch and wait approach can be overwhelming. If seeing another ENT would help to ease your worries then yes go see another ENT. Sometimes it helps just hearing it from another qualified doctor. I would recommend taking care of the sharp teeth as well.

Hi there... I would absolutely take her advice go have the teeth smoothed. So that they don't irritate your mouth at all... I am certain that is how my problem got started... bad molar, worse cap... etc..

This should give that area an opportunity to heal. Cells grow and they die and get sloughed off. Hopefully, by taking care of the problem the dysplasia will clear up and you will heal. Do go in three months to have a check up again or sooner if it doesn't get better despite having done what she suggested. It is ideal to go to a top ENT, however this one sounds like she is doing her due diligence. No one can predict cancer. I know its fearful to even contemplate, no one can foresee the future all you can do is whatever you can to prevent it from happening and it appears you are doing that. Mental state has a great impact on cancer - I truly believe this because it puts a lot of stress on the body, which compromises other normal functions.
So go and have the tooth smooth, take away the irritant, then see what happens. Monitor it, and go back even before the three months if you are still concerned. Most importantly - relax ;o)

Cheryld,
I think your response has helped me the most. I've been so worked up over this it is effecting my overall happiness. I've made an apt to have my dentist smooth out my molars and will go back in 6 weeks and just take it day by day. I feel better already.....relaxed. Just remembered small game hunting season opens next week and my son is begging me to take him so I'll just look forward to that and.......relax!

I'll check in with all of you soon with what the ENT says after she checks it in 6 weeks.

Peace to you all.....and in my prayers!

Whacko, first, thank you for your service, Brother!

Second, use your military training to help you control your anxiety. Discipline your mind so that when you start to feel it, review everything that you know about the subject and examine what steps, if any, you have not taken that you reasonably could have taken.

Then, if there are any steps untaken that could improve your position, take them.

At this point, with nothing you could do, undone; direct your thoughts away from the issue stressing you. You know that you can only do what you can do, all else is in the hands of God/Fate and worry only causes you to miss what is good in life.

Life is good, brother. It is also uncertain, so focus on living in the now, not in the "what if" which is what anxiety amounts to.

Good luck, brother Whacko!

Bart

[quote=Bart]Whacko, first, thank you for your service, Brother!

Second, use your military training to help you control your anxiety. Discipline your mind so that when you start to feel it, review everything that you know about the subject and examine what steps, if any, you have not taken that you reasonably could have taken.

Then, if there are any steps untaken that could improve your position, take them.

At this point, with nothing you could do, undone; direct your thoughts away from the issue stressing you. You know that you can only do what you can do, all else is in the hands of God/Fate and worry only causes you to miss what is good in life.

Life is good, brother. It is also uncertain, so focus on living in the now, not in the "what if" which is what anxiety amounts to.

Good luck, brother Whacko!

Bart [/quote]

Bart,
Thanks for the advice. Went hunting with my boy last night....struck out on small game but had a wonderful time in the woods for a few hours. And I found the ability to relax.

Update.......went to the dentist to get him to smooth the teeth as requested by the ENT. He told me the ENT is crazy (we are actually friends so he can forget professional courtesly when we talk) and that the teeth are not rough and not at all causing the dysplastic spot. So....he and the OS I went to called the ENT and discussed my case....they have her in agreement that an excision needs to be done......scheduled for 3 weeks out! I'm actually feeling better about it......guess the only way to truly have closure on this is to have it completely removed and have a pathologist tell the full story.

As always peace and prayers to all of you!