Hi everyone,

I have a long story, but will try to keep it as short as possible.

I have been sick since October, high WBCs sometimes, chills, Strep Throat, The Crud, weakness, alot of drainage.

I was eventually sent to an Oncologist. He did a Bone Marrow Biopsy and PET Scan. Bone Marrow Biopsy came back OK but PET Scan revealed increased uptake of inflammation/infection in one of my neck lymph nodes. The condition is called lymphadenitis. As some of you may know, this is where a lymph node can be secondary to oral cancer.

The PET Scan also mentioned the importance of going to see my dentist, as did my Oncologist.

I am VERY VERY Scared. I have not examined my mouth, but I do notice that I feel something in my throat when I eat or drink. Like something is getting moved around. I read that this is one symptom or oral cancer.

I have only a few questions, does Oral Cancer show on a PET Scan?? My oncolgist kept repeating, see a dentist and the PET scan report also said "DENTAL".

Sorry so long, but I am real need of help!!

Thanks in advance,
Brenda

Brenda: We all panic when cancer is mentioned. Please go to your dentist fast. Tell them it is urgent and that you may have oral or throat cancer. If your dentist is not comfortable diagnosing cancer, he will refer you to someone who can. You need to know for peace of mind. Not knowing is worse. Once you know you can then make choices about what to do next. If it is not cancer, you may need more aggressive treatment for the infection. Let us know.
Cathy

I am confused here. How can you have seen an oncologist who has not given you a better diagnosis. Either he knows you have cancer or you don't have it. If he feels a dentist is the one to tell you this or give some kind of treatment to improve this then get to the dentist fast.

The sooner you have a yes or no to your fears the sooner you can be treated.

My cancer started with a small upper secondary node, a feeling of a low cough like something in my throat and extraordinary tiredness. A full blood count showed inflammation and it was this that alerted my GP combined with the lump to send me for a hospiatl check.

Other than surgery only a FNA can tell what the cells in the lymph node are. Sometimes a heavy dose of antibiotics can clear up this sort of thing.

Hello, thank you so much for your responses.

Cathy, I went to my dentist and had a checkup. On some of my back teeth, the hygentist took that probe that goes down in between the gum and tooth and noticed that alot of my back teeth were at a 5, which indicates gum disease. They took some special kind of x-rays that showed the bones and there was no kind of bone decay. He told me to go back to my regular MD and have him refer me to an ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat Specialist) and my regular MD refused.

Pauline: I am just as confused as you are. Read the post to Cathy above, I did see the dentist. The Oncologist chose to put me on two weeks of clindamycian and see him in three months to check my White Blood Cell Count. I am curious of what showed your inflammation in you bloodwork, was it the Sed Rate (ESR) or the White Blood Cells? The reason that the Oncologist did not think it was cancer was because my PET Scan Report did not light up as black anywhere in my mouth (which indicates cancer). It was a much lighter color (which showed inflammation/infection in one lymph node and in some tissues around the area of the mouth).

Regarding a FNA, I have heard that these needle biopsies are not always reliable, it is better to have a biopsy. Also, I have tried to get in touch with the Oncologist (left a message with the nurse for him to call me) and that was about two weeks ago, I guess he does not want to discuss this issue with me.

I am at a loss.

Please write me back if you feel you can help anymore.

Thanks so much!!

Brenda

Hi Brenda,

If your doctor refused to give you a referral because he is sure it isnt cancer than I would run, not walk, to a new primary doctor ASAP...

You are in the states so you should have no prob seeing and ENT without a primary care referral...even if your insurance doesnt pay for it, it is well worth the cost for piece of mind. And if it turns out to be something you can take care of it asap.

What if, and I pray your doctor is right and it is nothing, it IS something...its not your doctor that is going to suffer from a delay, it is you.

If I asked my doc for a referral for anything and they refused (I dont mean something small like a hangnail or bunion or something minor where I was overreacting) I would no longer go to them.

The docs work for the patient, the patient and/or his or her insurance pays the bill...without patients they cant practice medicine...and if they blow off a lof of patients how long before they are out of practice?

I would recommend getting to an ENT doc asap...put it on a cc, submit to insurance...whatever you have to do...an office consult should not be more than $80 to $100 US.

Sorry for rambling, but boy oh boy, that refusal issue ticked me off...do they have to go home and worry...no the patient does and that stinks!

Jo