Mouth Cancer, any experts?

[Sled Puller]

A friend had a small tumor removed on the roof of his mouth, behind front teeth, last week.



You guessed it, cancerous.



They are talking about pretty radical surgery, removing some teeth, gums, lymph nodes etc. They want to do it soon as possible, within a week.



Non smoker, drinker, chewer, never.



Any second opinions out there?

 

[lmills]

Hmm, I don't know what to say. That sounds pretty odd. That is something usually connected to either dipping,smoking or chewing.

 

[Tony T.]

I believe that most cancers are hereditary along with other diseases (heart disease,diabetes,colon,an prostate cancers) that could run in your family's history (may skip some generations). Not saying smoking, dipping or chewing does'nt contribute to it, It does, more so if you have that certain hereditary gene. Had a uncle diagnosed with lung cancer here last year an had 1/3 of his left lung removed, just finished with his chemo treatments about two months ago. He has not smoked for over 21 years an ask the doc if that contributed to the cancer an doc said no. He the doc was saying that he was caring that certain cancerous gene. His (uncle) mother died of the same cancer in 1980 at age 64, same age my uncle found out he had the cancer (technology has advanced some). Also same uncle, his granddaughter was diagnosed with Leukemia when she was around age 7, underwent treatments an has been in remission now for over ten years.

 

[Rman]

I agree with Tony, research is showing cancer is overwhelmingly hereditary. Evironmental exposure cans ure trigger cancers and "cause" cancers but that gene is still in you that gets activated.



It's a bummer to think about it, but in all reality we're slowing dying from birth anyway it's just a waiting game to see how. Thats why I try to do things I really want to do while I still can. I'm doomed, my whole family has heart disease, lung cancer, and prostate cancers. Though my grandfather just turned 100, hope I get some of his gene pool!

 

[tpuig]

Do some research and find a couple other doctors to talk with. Surgery might be the best bet, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

There are lots of types of tumors. I had surgery to remove a tumor from the roof of my mouth a few months ago. About the size of a golf ball cut in half. Not pleasant.

Hadn't been to the dentist for a while, as mine had retired. Anyway, the new guy says, "does that lump in your mouth bother you?" Of course, my response was "What lump?"...



Long story short - it was a pretty good size tumor, fortunately benign. But it wasn't going to stop growing and go away on its own. And it could eventually turn cancerous. I did some research and found this type is not common, but not unusual in the mouth and neck area. Surgery was fine, but I woke up in intensive care when my throat shut from swelling. (That's a whole 'nother story over a couple beers) I took a bit off from trumpet playing but almost back to normal now.



Best bet is to have your buddy do some research and make a couple phone calls. Get a couple opinions and don't be shy about asking questions. Best luck to him.

TP

 

[bighammer]

I would request a review of the slides by another pathologist to confirm the cancer diagnosis.

 

[Mike Ellis]

Always get 2nd and even 3rd opinions on pathology, all you have to do is have the doc send the slides to a cancer center, Air Force pathology lab (one of the best), etc.

Tell him to get copies of the path reports, docs do not keep records more than 5-7 years in most cases and if cancer recurs later not having the original pathology reports can make it tough to tell if it is indeed recurrence, or something new.

If possible, seek treatment at one of the NIH regional cancer centers, may have more up to date treatments, clinical trials, etc. It is worth the extra time and effort to improve your odds 1-2%. Doesn't sound like much? Consider, 1-2% LESS effective means out of a hundred people, 1 or 2 more die - if one of them is YOU, that difference can be infinitely important...

Check into the side effects and be prepared. Cancer in the front part of the mouth will often require plastic surgery to repair damage, radiation in that region can effect other tissues, some like salivary glands are especially susceptible.

Dig in and prepare for a long hard fight, do whatever it takes to win the battle. NEVER give up.

Best wishes to your friend, if you post his name I will add him to the prayer list.

 

[Sojourner]

Introduction to Alternative Cancer Treatments -



http://www.cancertutor.com/Other/NoCancer.html



Each and every last one of us has cancer cells in us, they just don't take over until the immune system is suppressed enough to allow it.



There are a number of viable alternatives that have worked for many people. Essiac tea is one, and there are many others.



What I've discovered is that there are two types of cancer sufferers - those who are hellbent to beat it on their own (with the help of loved ones) without being cut, burned, or poisoned, and those who succumb to the death cult's (AMA, pharmacos, HMOs, etc. ) way of profiting off of it and (usually) ending up dying from it anyway. One has to make up one's own mind to LIVE - without that attitude, I suggest preparing one's emotions for the transition to the next world. JMO



I can be contacted for further info.

 

[Hummin Cummins]

My prayers are with you're friend, sleddy. My mom lost her eye to cancer 7 years ago, and went cancer free for 5 years after that. On one of her checkups, they found a form of mellanoma in both her lungs. It has now spread to her liver. She's fighting tooth and nail. She never smoked a day in her life, and stayed out of the sun when she could, and still wound up with cancer. I have chewed snuff for almost 20 years now and every now and then, that thought creeps up on me. Tell him not to give up.