Hello everyone,
My name is Paula and my Father was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma last Monday. He had a biopsy done by a peridontist two weeks ago which confirmed this diagnosis and again last Tuesday they had to go back and do a second biopsy because one margin had dysplasia.
The peridontist assured us that they had got it all but the biopsy has come back with a diagnosis of well differentiated infiltrating squamous cell carcinoma. I am so confused as the comment section states that carcinoma in situ is seen at two lateral margins of the tissue specimen, in one area close to where there was a suture (from previous biopsy). THe carcinoma is seen at one of the inked margins and close to a second inked margin. Can anyone help me figure this out? What I would like to know is how do we stage this? Also I was told that the dr has said that it is non invasive and slow growing. How do they know that. We live in Canada and have to wait to get to referred cancer centre.
I too have had cancer (melanoma dxed in 2000) so I know all too well all the terrible feelings that go along with it. My Mother is also dealing with her Father who is in the final stages of colon cancer.
I am hoping that someone can help me to put my parent's minds at ease a little while they are waiting. I should mention that the cancer is on the tongue close to the tip and he has had an x-ray of his head and neck last Friday but it has not come back as of yet.
Thanks to everyone.
Paula

Hi Paula

Unfortunately, I cannot answer your questions as I have no professional knowledge and you would not be interested in bad advise. What I can mention is purely from my own experiences. In my case, I have been through the procedure that most of the other people on the board suffering from mouth cancer related problems have done.

I believe that I got to see the specialists at an early stage and they managed to successfully beat the problem. I won't go into details - but suffice to say there are some happy endings to some of the sad cases that you read about.

One of the best things that your parents have at this moment is your support.

Wish your father all the best

Kind regards - Pete

Hello Paula

Some comments from a Canadian colleague:

quote:

1. Why a Periodontist ? Find a Surgical (Maxillofacial Surgeon) Oncologist!
2. Cancer of the tongue (SCC) are usually easier to manage as sugery is in an accesible zone and sites are easily monitored. Failure can be corrected by more surgery and or radiation.
3. Current staging methods are not totally reliable. A study completed last year showed that T1 lesions were the most likely to be underestimated. (Study numbers were too small for definitive use but important never the less)
5. What city is this patient from?

Hope that helps.

Best wishes
Vinod

Thank you so much Dr Joshi. As I am typing this he is at an appointment with a surgical oncologist to discuss the next step. My Father paniced when he was diagnosed and wanted the cancer gone asap the peridontist assured him that he could do the re-excision and that it would be fine. We now know that waiting would have been a better option. We are living in Ottawa, Ontario Canada.
Thanks so much.
Paula

hi paula
i know what you are going thro and wish you the best of luck....stay positive and heres to you and the next step in your journey

take care best of luck

jeff