Re: [MOL] Oral Cancer Questions [12968] Medicine On Line

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Re: [MOL] Oral Cancer Questions

Mark, you have some wonderful questions that need addressing and your mother is fortunate to have you as a son for her advocate.  The first thing I would do is call the NCI @ 1-800-4-cancer, they will be able to tell you the best doctors nearest you and the best hospitals nearest you who treat oral cancer. Also they can give you a list of trials nearest you for that category; however trials cost and allot of insurance companies will not pay for trials. Then I would explore the sites I have given you and other information for you to check into.  Your friend, Lillian
MR MARK E KLOTZBACH wrote:
My Mom got her biopsy results yesterday and learned she has cancer
under her tongue. I know that if discovered early, oral cancer
treatments are typically successful and not difficult. Unfortunately,
the sore has been there several months and is the main reason my Mom
has lost so much weight lately. She has many other health problems,
including: high blood pressure, ulcers, arthritis, alcoholism, osteo,
mental depression and she has had several strokes. Understandably She
is 73.   You will need to know the stage of the cancer when speaking with anyone.

1.) The Oral Surgeon who did the biopsy has recommended a MRI. Is
this the best way to determine the extent of the cancer?  Pet Scan is better; however there very few of these machines around.

2.) Why didn't the Doctor already arrange for an MRI? Sorry, I don't know the answer for this one.

3.) Mom is a member in a (Columbia, MD) HMO. I'm afraid that she will
not automatically be accorded priority treatment. How do I make sure
that her treatment plan is accorded the proper level of urgency? Is
there anything I can do to keep the process moving?  Yes, keep a journal on all appointments, tests, what was said, comments by you; etc.  Stay on top of everything, regquest copies of all tests.

4.) Where can I find information about alternative treatments for
oral cancer?  I have that listed at the end of the message for you.

5.) With all of her other health problems, shouldn't there be one
Physicican overseeing treatment who is aware of all of Mom's health
issues? How do I see that one is appointed? Yes, and that more than likely should be an internist.   You simply tell him you want him to be the coordinator with copies of everything sent to him and he sends copies to all the other doctors.

Thanks for your help,

American Association of Health Plans
Membership Department
129 20th Street NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
(202)778-3200
Web site: http://www.aahp.org/
Insurance industry trade association that will provide information on insurance and health care issues.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
675 North St. Claire Street
Chicago, IL 60601
(312)440-6000

Department of Health and Human Services
Inspector General Hotline
Office of the Inspector General
P.O. Box 23489
Washington, DC 20026
(800)368-5779
U.S. government hotline for complaints regarding Medicare or Medicaid; provides assistance with issues of entitlements, benefits, insurance, and community resources.

Disabled American Veterans
807 Main Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20024
(202)554-3501
(202)554-3581 FAX
Web site: http://www.dav.org/
Provides assistance with health benefits for U.S. veterans.

Hill-Burton Free Hospital Care
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 7-47
Rockville, MD 20857
(800)683-0742 Hotline
(301)594-5999 FAX
Web site: http://www.hrsa.dhhs.gov/bhrd/dfcr/dfcrmain.htm
U.S. government program that can arrange for cost-assisted care for disadvantaged individuals at certain medical facilities or hospitals.

National Insurance Consumer Hotline
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004
(800)942-4242
Provides assistance in finding insurance coverage, information on insurance issues and a consumer complaint service.

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Mark in Baltimore