What happens if you choose not to treat oral cancer?
Community Member
15 days agoI am new here and in the early stages of possibly having oral cancer on the roof (upper palette) of my mouth. From reading many of the posts & comments, this does not sound good at all. Especially if there is only a 5-year life expectancy of 5 years, if caught early! Also, what is the life expectancy after you have all of this treatment (surgery, radiation & chemo)? My question is, what if you choose not to have treatment? Like no surgeries, removing parts of your mouth, pulling teeth, not being able to speak or eat, etc, and having a feeding tube. What does it look like & how painful is it to just let it run its course? I don't mean to sound morbid, but I am very interested in quality of life. Please respond if you have any info or advice. Thank you!
Community Member
15 days agoThese are incredibly difficult questions to face, and it's completely understandable to want clarity about all options when dealing with such an overwhelming diagnosis. While only a medical team can provide specific guidance about individual cases and outcomes, many people in this community have found it helpful to have detailed conversations with their doctors about quality of life concerns, palliative care options, and what different treatment paths might look like. Consider asking your healthcare team to walk through various scenarios with you, including comfort-focused care approaches, so you can make the most informed decision for your situation.
Community Member
8 days agoPlease wait for your meeting with the team of doctors and they will give you your options. If that’s not happening go to Emory. You might just need surgery and deal with side effects of that.
Community Member
3 days agoHi Dyanna, I also had a white spot on my palate. Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Then, it moved into my upper jawbone. They took out my whole upper jaw, including all my teeth. It's been a nightmare. Don't go untreated; it will get worse. It's a spreader. Please don't go untreated! Good luck, Barbara
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