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My stepdad's biopsy came back positive for some sort of oral cancer (I'm not sure which type, specifically). The surgeon was not able to remove the entire lesion the first time - when you have a biopsy of something they like to get what is called "clean edges," meaning that they have normal cells at the border of the biopsy. This lets the pathologist know that the entire cancerous lesion was removed at the site.
Well, my stepdad's biopsy did not have clean edges. There were cancerous cells all the way to the border. So he has to go back in May and get more cut out (it's underneath his tongue) and have a biopsy of the salivary gland done.
If the gland is ok, and the surgeon is able to get clean edges on the second biopsy, then that's all that will need to be done. If either of those things go the bad way, I suspect he'll have to get radiation to the mouth.
That will not be good. Not at all. Most likely disfiguring.
So yeah. Not the best news, but depending on what happens in May, it might not be so bad.
This is from being a smoker, by the way.
Posted by Highwaygirl on March 24, 2005 10:20 AM to the category FamilyI'm keeping you and your family in my thoughts, HWG.
Posted by: Downeaster at March 24, 2005 07:11 PMI'm hoping that everything turns out well with your stepdad. He's been through a lot. I'll be keeping him and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
How weird to think that last year around Easter time, I was hanging out with you!!! Yay!
Posted by: Roo at March 26, 2005 01:01 AM