Based on my experience having had two operations for oral cancer since 2003, I would like to suggest four thoughts for newcomers.

1) Since oral cancer hits only about 1% of the population, seek professional care from a medical center that specializes in cancer and has oral cancer specialists on staff.

2) Don’t be afraid to travel extra hours to such a center-your disease can be life threatening.

3) Follow-on care may be done at a location closer to your home that the cancer center works with.

4) Don’t wait to get help, and don’t second guess expert opinion but do get a second professional opinion if concerned.

Thank you! I was just called today actually with my diagnosis so this is helpful news for me. I do have a cancer center nearby, I don't know the exact method to get referred, but when I see the ENT tomorrow I am going to make it known that I want an oncologist and treatment from the cancer center. He called mine squamous cell and said I'm T1 but close to becoming a T2. So it looks like I have a similar diagnosis as you so far.

I've sent you a private message. Tom