I have been looking since My 15th... The day my
Mother was diagnosed with this terrible cancer for SOMEONE in this world, to have the same cancer as her. I know others to have MM but in other locations and can't find ANYONE to say I HAVE IT IN THE GUM. Now, with research it seems that if I spoke to people in Japan I might have more luck, but having trouble with the English/Japanese barrier there. Can anyone here help me?

Hello, I'm sorry that I am unable to help you. Oral cancers are a terrible disease.
I hope someone comes along soon who can advise you specifically.
Have you checked out the main OCF pages as I think Oral Melanomas as a cause are mentioned there.
How is your Mother being treated? Is she being seen at a Comprehensive Cancer Center - a CCC?
I would think that her treatment would be the same as many others on this site though Squamous Cell carcinoma is the primary causative agent for most.
Keep in touch.
Tammy

Welcome to OCF. Your mothers cancer is rare but Im fairly certain over the past 8 years Ive seen some members with a similar diagnosis. Unfortunately, they may not always check in on a regular basis. Just doing a quick search I saw a new member who joined March of this year who said they were diagnosed with oral melanoma. I found another pretty short thread on this as well from May, 2014. If you use the search function Im sure you will be able to connect with others like your mom. I, myself at my first diagnosis, had a second primary tumor located on my gum behind the top left molar. This is also very rare to have 2 completely separate tumors at the same time. I was treated with chemo and rads for both tumors (if thats the type of info you are seeking). We can help you with support and info about treatments, recovery, etc.

Best wishes!

Thank you all for your help. I guess I'm
Just looking... I don't know. I guess for someone who says they have mucosal
Melanoma .... And have it in the same place???? I understand people having different mouth cancers and people having MM but it seems like I can't find people who have both things.
I also don't understand a lot if the abbreviations... I need to study that thread at some point. My mom is the only person ever in our family to ever have cancer so I really don't know how to handle this... So I research.
She is seeing Fox Chase Cancer Center here in Philadelphia. I do wonder if a 2nd/3rd opinion would be a good option but she won't do it since this hospital is so close to home and feels she is taking me and my sister away from our families as her caretaker. She is widowed and really has no friends. I also live 2
Minutes from the hospital so I think she wants to stay there.

Erica, I can understand your need to find someone who has been through the same thing. Sounds as if that is going to be hard to do. However, the surgery should be similar to what we all expereince here. I had a tumour that extended to my gum and meant I had teeth out and a bit shaved off the bone with a flap from my forearm to patch it.

I hear from many sources that melanoma responds well to immunotherapy although the treatment is the the trial stage. Has that been mentioned? Can you ask?

Best wishes for this process. It's very hard to come to terms with but cancer can happen just about anywhere. You will all feel better when you have a plan of action.

Maureenx