Hi,

my friend had an x-ray done today and it turned out that he has a very large cyst in his mouth that needs to be surgically removed. The doctors are not sure yet whether it is malign or not. He was advised that if it is malign they will need to take out some of his teeth and possible also parts of the chin bone.

As my friend has only got public health care and not private insurance, he was told that he would have to wait for the surgery for at least 1-2 months.

I am nervous that time might be of essence and that it is important to get it done as quickly as possible. I understand that removals of malign cysts should be done "as quickly as possible", but what does that mean? Does it make a big difference if he has surgery in a week or in a month?

Thanks for the feedback.

Hi there

I hate to be a bad news giver but I was told it owuld make no difference - "Oh it won't get bigger in a month to six weeks" - bit it did - as they had to admit. It got quite a lot bigger in fact. The consultant pooiinted this out to me very single time I went to see him. I felt like saying "You're the one who said it wouldn;t!!!" But I didn't, I just smiled. Now mine was a tumour on the jawbone itself rather than a cyst so it was different and maybe significantly so - but I would personally advise the sooner the better.

Hope that helps - it was intended to. Sounds whiny now I read it back. Sorry!

Anthony

Hi and welcome

the simple answer is YES it will make a huge difference if the cyst is malignant.In the diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer (malignancy)then time is of the essence.I am very surprised he hasn't had a biopsy done to establish wether this cyst is benign or malignant,as this would then enable them to make a more informed decision on the extent of surgery required and the time scale for the start of treatment.
If it is possible i would urge your friend to push hard for a biopsy.

Hi Fredo

Your friend's doctors haven't done a biopsy? Seems like that should be scheduled before deciding on surgery. Like Liz said, he really should push for one. Still, time is of the essence in a situation like this.

From the first time I sought medical attention for the "thing" on the underside of my tongue until I had surgery was 43 days. (Never mind the fact that I'd left it to its own devices from August to December.) I was lucky that my doc got me in as soon as he did--by the time I had surgery, my tumor was 2.9 cm, a large stage 2. If it would have been any bigger, I'd have needed rt--at least--in addition to surgery. My doc was leaving for a convention, so he scheduled me for surgery on a day when he doesn't normally operate. My family and I are all so glad he did.

Is there anyone in the public health system who could help your friend move things along a bit?

Let us know how things turn out.

Julia