Tongue And Neck

Hello

I have recently had two strange looking lesions on the tongue.  The dentist looked at it yesterday and wasn't too optomistic.  He told me to wait 4 weeks and if it hasn't gone away he will recommend me to an oral surgeon.  I don't want to wait that long.  Today I also noticed a small bump on the side of my throat.. and I have been having sore throats off and on fora while now.  Can anyone tell me the best procedure for diagnosing or excluding cancer?  The problem is that I do not have insurance, so I am looking for the most trusted diagnosis for less cost.  I would rather not visit two doctors, so I will go to a more expensive specialist if they have a better shot at diagnosing correctly. 

Also, can someone give me a general estimate of costs?  The cost of the visit, cost of a biopsy, any other costs generally incurred?

Has anyone else dealt with this without insurance, and can you give me any advice?  I have so many questions.

 

On 7/5/2008 katekate wrote:

Hello

I have recently had two strange looking lesions on the tongue.  The dentist looked at it yesterday and wasn't too optomistic.  He told me to wait 4 weeks and if it hasn't gone away he will recommend me to an oral surgeon.  I don't want to wait that long.  Today I also noticed a small bump on the side of my throat.. and I have been having sore throats off and on fora while now.  Can anyone tell me the best procedure for diagnosing or excluding cancer?  The problem is that I do not have insurance, so I am looking for the most trusted diagnosis for less cost.  I would rather not visit two doctors, so I will go to a more expensive specialist if they have a better shot at diagnosing correctly. 

Also, can someone give me a general estimate of costs?  The cost of the visit, cost of a biopsy, any other costs generally incurred?

Has anyone else dealt with this without insurance, and can you give me any advice?  I have so many questions.

Hello,

I am not sure what your dentist saw exactly, or why he said  to wait 4 weeks, but I understand your not wanting to wait.If he is already planning to refer you to an oral surgeon in four weeks, my suggestion is that you get to and Ear, Nose and Throat doctor NOW.  If you are unable  to get an appointment with and ENT, go see a good family doctor...someone that you have used before or is recommended by family or friend.  

The small bump on the side of your throat can be from an infection, possibly from the sore throat you are having. Or sorry to say, as in my case cancer.  Most  head and neck cancers have a throat bump as a sign.  But please don't wait and worry, go see someone.

This is a link to resources to help with the cost of cancer care----

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/support/financi

I cannot speak to the costs but there are many types of treatment for cancer when found early.   D.

 

hi

are you close to a big State teaching Hospital?

That will be your best way to go forward with this

An ENT is the Dr who can do a biopsy and get to the bottom of what you are dealing with.

If only an infection or bad tonsil and not cancer the expense will not be that great.

if it is Cancer the ENT has the resource and knowledge of all the local medical options and facilities in your area that you will be able to use.

But do not wait the sooner you know the sooner you can start the Tx that you need.

there are many medical resource available in this country for people with out insurance, it may not be easy or pleasant, but it is your life so you need to all you can to take care this

john 

my boyfriend recently finished treatment for head and neck cancer - he was uninsured when he was diagnosed.  he had an enlarged lymph node that he went to his primary care dr. to look at.  she referred him to an ENT right away.  the ENT was great - he did surgery to remove and biopsy the lymph node and didn't charge him, he applied for financial aid at the hospital and was accepted.  He did have to pay out of pocket for the anesthesiologist.  once the cancer diagnosis came back he was referred out of state to dana-farber in boston.  they have no financial aid for out of state patients.  we knew the cost would be astronomical...but this was his life on the line!!  he spent HOURS and DAYS on the phone trying to find help and guidance.  the best resource was the social services program at our local hospital.  once it was determined that he would be unable to work through treatment he was able to qualify for medicaid.  it was a huge relief.  between October and December his bills had already reached over $25K...and he had just begun treatment!!  there is help out there and you have to work hard and find someone to be your advocate.

all the best to you

~meesh

my hubby...no insurance. Just finished up half of his radiation (no bills yet from chemo). We received a bill of 50k from his radiation treatments alone. He too has applied for medicaid. Waiting on that right now. That will be a huge weight off his shoulders if he can get it. Good luck! hopefully it is just an infection and no cancer. But if it is cancer...just have faith, you will be fine! oh and use this site alot.....it is great!

thank you so much for your replies. Just to update.. I called an ENT a  couple days ago to request an apointment.  I talked to the physician and just mentioned the symptoms I have noticed for awhile... a sore throat and the spots on my tongue.  He wanted to schedule a fibrooptic larangoscopy... I didn't tell him any of my symptoms that I have been feeling lately because I feel like alot of them are psychological.... I just told him the symptoms I have been noticing long before I knew the symptoms of cancer... well everyone wish me luck I guess.

 

On 7/9/2008 katekate wrote:

thank you so much for your replies. Just to update.. I called an ENT a  couple days ago to request an apointment.  I talked to the physician and just mentioned the symptoms I have noticed for awhile... a sore throat and the spots on my tongue.  He wanted to schedule a fibrooptic larangoscopy... I didn't tell him any of my symptoms that I have been feeling lately because I feel like alot of them are psychological.... I just told him the symptoms I have been noticing long before I knew the symptoms of cancer... well everyone wish me luck I guess.

Hi Katekate

I would encourage you to tell your ENT exactly what you've said here - that it may be psychological but these are my symptoms.  I first noticed an extreme tiredness accompanied w/ very minor chest pains - not enough to double me over but enough to aggravate me.  I was concerned because I was 3 yrs older than my dad was when he had his first heart attack.  I had a dental appt in late April - where the dentist was in my mouth for at least 1/2 hr and apparently saw nothing out of the ordinary.  A couple of weeks later I saw my OB/GYN for my yearly physical - followed by a colonoscopy,  My blood pressure shot up when they gave me the anestetic to knock me out before my colonoscopy (I later learned from my daughter who is a nurse that it should have done the opposite - dropped).  I knew something wasn't quite right but everything kept checking out okay.  My blood pressure rose extremely high again app 2 wks later on a Sunday when my husband was out of town on a business trip and I went to an emergency care.  The doctor just happened to ask in passing if  "anyone had ever told me I had an extremely large left tonsil?"  I went home and looked in the mirror at the back of my throat and I was shocked to see that half of my throat was taken up w/ my tonsil.  I went to my primary care doctor who barely glanced at my throat and then referred me to a cardiologist for a stress test (for the high blood pressure).  The cardiologist took one look in my mouth and said "we need to get you to an ENT immediately!"  Less than a week later I was in surgery and diagnosed w/ cancer of the left tonsil.  I later learned that mild chest pains are a symptom of this type of cancer.  My stress test indicated that my heart was fine.  You never know when a particular symptom will register w/ a doctor. 

Someone put a list of financial resources on this site and I copied them - I will list them here.  Good luck w/ your test - I hope you won't need the resources for financial aide. 

Diana

Below are website links and phone numbers for local, statewide and out-of-state foundations to help families and patients during this crisis. 

 (1) www.cancer.org- On right side of page enter your zip code, then scroll down to "Local Resources", then click on "Assistance", there you will find all the local, statewide and even out-of-state resources for help financially and more. This website has numerous financial, medical and more information on crisis help. (800) ACS-2345

 (2) www.beyondtherainbow.org- Click on forms, then download/print out the application. (973) 628-7767 (Helps CT, PA, NY & NJ Residents)

 (3) www.cancercare.org- click on "I'm a cancer patient" or "I am a loved one", then click on "Assistance", then click on "Financial Assistance", then download financial assistance form. (800) 813-HOPE

 (4) www.patientadvocate.org- click on "Personal Help", then "Request Assistance", then fill out the form below. (800) 532-5274

 (5) www.terminallyill.org- click on "Downloads/Forms", then click on "Application for Financial Assistance". (866) 668-1724

(6) Netwish: www.netwish.org- provides assistance, up to $500 for those who are able to demonstrate a financial need.

(7) Hope Cancer Fund: 866-334-HOPE Provides a one time financial assistance program to families up to $150.

 (8) www.Modestneeds.org- provides help with bills. Click on apply for help.

 (9) http://www.foodlion.com/LionsPride.asp- Click on bottom of page on “Request for assistance form”.

(10) http://www.vickiesangelwalk.org/- Click on Financial Aid

 * Also contact your local Lions Club and Churches for help within the community.*

 

I would also add to check with your local American Cancer Society.  You may want to ask for a patient navigator who is familiar with local financial support options