I have a question, actually kind of a survey...do you all visit an ENT on a regular basis? I had my first visit with an ENT since my tongue cancer diagnosis (due to an earache) and he was quite taken aback that I had not been having regular visits with an ENT. Of course, I told him I will definitely come in to get checked, I like getting checked. I know it is weird but that's me. I still get my regular checks from oral surgeon and onocologist. Please let me know what you all do about the ENT? Thanks so much! Carol

Carol,

Hi there - I see my ENT every 3 months at this point. He is the leading doctor of my cancer team I suppose because I kept getting referred from internist to surgeon finally to ENT. He has said I will see him from here on out. That's just my experience.

Pam

I'll be seeing my ENT the most for followup, I think. I also have an oral surgeon but he isn't the one who did the biopsy (that was an about-to-retire oral surgeon who is now retired), or even someone I saw until my entire treatment was over (if I'd seen him before he would have recommended pulling more teeth than were pulled and I'm not sure if I should be glad I found him so late in the game or not ebcause of that). So I basically view the oral surgeon as someone I'd go to if I or my dentist thought I needed oral surgery or possibly if the ENT saw something that needed a biopsy on my tongue or on the gums or something. So no regular checkups with the oral surgeon.

My radiation oncologist apparently views his role as only being that of an involved doctor during radiation. I swear when the breast radiation ended he sounded relieved when he said "there's no reason to come here for a checkup again".

But my medical oncologist is still wanting me to come in every two months and on the months I don't get a checkup from him I get a checkup from my ENT.

I have seen my ENT once a month since the end of treatment. He's told me this will go on for a year then be changed to once every 2 months this will be until 5 years are up. I am in the UK so our health care might be a little differant.

Carol,
I saw my head & neck surgeon every 6 weeks for almost a year, then every 2 months in year 2, 3 months in year three. He just informed my I am now going in every 4 months. The other docs (MO and RO) saw me at the same frequency until the major after effects subsided then moved me to semiannual visits. I get semiannual bloodwork and an annual chest x-ray and MRI.

Pretty much in line with the NCCN oncology practice guidelines.

I would skip the oral surgeon and switch to the ENT if it were me.

I am getting close to year four, and see only the ENT every six months, which I understand will be forever and ever more. I was followed by the Rad doc for the first year then discharged there. I e-mail the MO annually to tell him that I am alive and kickin' and he replies that he is very glad to hear from me -- apparently those of his patients who survive don't want remember him. I pop in to see the Rad people annually for the same reason. Carol, I completely understand your liking to be checked. I got to know these people so well and they did such a good job for me, that it is a pleasure to visit.

Wow, thanks for your replies! I guess I have been totally naive about the importance of the ENT Doctor in my ongoing care. I totally rely on my oral surgeon and trust him so much. I will now be seeing the ENT doc every 3 months for check ups, I see my oral surgeon in January for a check up and my oncologist again in March for a 6 month check up. I am glad I had that earache...Thanks All, Love, Carol

Hi Carol,

I went to see an ENT on my own, even though it was not suggested by my Head & Neck Surgeon. I had been seeing my surgeon every 4 - 6 weeks. The ENT scoped me and I intend to see him once a year for peace of mind.

Happy Holidays

Jerry

Hi Carol,

My original biopsy was done by an oral surgeon. There weren't clean margins and it was invasive into the floor of my mouth, where he wasn't comfortable working in his office setting. He referred me to the ENT who did the clean up surgery and alloderm graft so I wouldn't be tongue tied and my neck dissectomy. I adore my ENT and see him next in April to celebrate the 3 year mark. I would be happy to see him monthly again if I could justify it!
Sincerely,
Lisa

I see my ENT every three months now. Recently graduated to that from the monthly visits. Like Lisa, I have a very good relationship with my ENT. I actually enjoy the offcie visit. He takes an interest in what else is going on in my life and always has time to talk about anything that I want to bring up. He treats my family like gold. Couldn't have made it this far without him.

JOhn