A year ago, I saw a patient during routine new patient examination who said that she had been experiencing a "scratchy throat" for about a month. During her med hx interview, she reported that she had been to her family physician, to an ER, and to an ENT who all looked into her mouth and told her that she had some "irritation from sinus drainage." My hygienist asked me to look at what the patient had told her was the "scratchy area" of her mouth. There was a distinct cobblestone-textured leukoplakia on her right anterior tonsillar pillar--a high risk zone--that was also dark under direct tissue fluorescence (VELscope Vx). Here is a picture:

[image:64484b79efbdd_DSC_7832.jpg]

The patient was a non-smoker and non-drinker who was otherwise healthy. I told the patient that I was concerned, and I personally called another ENT to I work with and got the patient in for an evaluation the next day.

The patient left quite upset with me, and we have not heard back from her...until yesterday. We figured that she had left the practice. She came in to schedule an appointment yesterday while I happened to be in the reception area getting a cup of coffee. She came up to me, patted me on the shoulder, and told me, "I would not be here today if it hadn't been for me. I owe you my life." Of course, I asked her to tell me more. Long story short, she had a biopsy, and the lesion was squamous cell carcinoma, stage IV. She has not been in because she has been going through surgery, chemo, and radiation for the past year. Her prognosis is now "good," and she is very happy.

Today, I was notified of this review:

"Kevin D Huff, DDS, LLC

Date: 04-23-2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Review Title: Dr. Huff saved my life. I had sores on m

Review: Dr. Huff saved my life. I had sores on my tongue that would not go away. I had been to other doctors and they told me it was sinus drainage and acid reflux. He took one look and sent me for a biopsy. Turned out it was stage 4 esophageal cancer. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be alive today. Thank you Dr. Huff for saving my life. "

Moral of the story.... That extra minute or two it takes to do a basic oral cancer screening exam is well worth it! This is the 9th case of frank oral cancer that I have found in my 27 years of practice. I remember that my pathology professor in dental school told me that I might actually see 1 in my entire career!

Kevin