suppose one suspects malignant growth behind the tongue(most likely oral cancer), whom shall i visit? the Dental surgeon or the oncologist, suppose i want to run a biopsy test.
thank you
2007-01-19 17:55:58 · 12 answers · asked by paradox 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
You would probably start with your dentist who would then refer you to the Oncologist or some other specialist. This is especially true when your health insurance is an HMO - you have to go through the process.
2007-01-19 17:59:25 · answer #1 · answered by Justin H 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Start with your primary care provider. If you're like most of us, you have HMO insurance and must start with the "gatekeeper". You can request a referral to a Head & Neck surgeon (ENT) with experience in Head & Neck Oncology surgery. Not all ENTs have a strong background of oncological surgery. If you are diagnosed with malignancy and require extensive resection, your surgeon may very well call in a maxillofacial surgeon to help.
If you see an oral surgeon first, you waste time. Your primary doc or an ENT can do the biopsy. A medical oncologist comes later, not now.
My friend, if you have any reason at all to suspect malignancy, please don't delay in making the first call. I used to work Head & Neck surgery and have had patients who came in too late and ended up losing most of the lower half of the face, including the nose...and some who died anyway despite all that we did to save them.
2007-01-19 19:34:05 · answer #2 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You should start with your primary doctor, but going straight to an oral surgeon would be reasonable. The biopsy would be done by an oral surgeon. An oncologist wouldn't know what to do with you before you've had a biopsy.
2007-01-19 18:08:11 · answer #3 · answered by grotereber 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Errr. You haven't already been to a Doctor? How do you know it's a malignant growth? Could be anything, and it could be benign. Go to a normal GP, he/she will look at it, and refer you the relevant specialist. Certain tests including a biopsy would be conducted. As to the specialist, if it is cancer, you would be referred to an Oncologist.
Get yourself to your GP now.
2007-01-19 18:02:53 · answer #4 · answered by Techno 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Personally I'd go to the oncologist, if you can't go to both and get 2 opinions. I think oncologists would be more familiar with the different types of tests available and can answer a lot more of your questions regarding treatment, facts about oral cancer, etc.
2007-01-19 17:59:10 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I would go to an oral surgeon and they wil refer you to an oncologist. I don't think that you can see an oncologist w/o a referral. Good luck!
2007-01-19 17:58:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
You need to make an apt with the oncologist. Your dentist isn't capable of dealing with cancer.
2007-01-19 17:58:50 · answer #7 · answered by Serinity4u2find 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Oncologist!
But first, go to your GP and ask them for advice.
2007-01-19 17:58:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
my husband has mouth cancer and i took him to an oral surgen who sent him to a ear,nose and throat doctor for the biospy
2007-01-22 23:06:49 · answer #9 · answered by mountainchowpurple 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not a dentist they work on teeth and specifically teeth not cancer go to your regular doctor or a cancer clinic people who are trained in cancer not teeth
2007-01-19 17:58:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋