I am confused about a cancer diagnosis.?

Question

My father was diagnosed with a cancer called "squamous cell carcinoma". From what I have learned, it is a skin cancer that has spread from his chin, and into his mouth. As a result, he has had his tumor ridden jaw removed and reconstructed, a tumor removed from under the tongue, the tumor from the chin removed and another tumor removed from inside his cheek. He has had major reconstruction work done just 6 days ago. He has a massive amount of skin and muscle removed from his stomach and attached to his chin that goes inside his mouth, up under and around the tongue, no more lip. Every time a different doctor appears, they ask him if he has ever smoked or drank. He never did smoke, and drank 2 to 3 light beers 4 days per week. This is a skin cancer, why is he being asked if he smoked? They have virtually accused him of being a heavy smoker. So has the cancer developed because of sun exposure or is it because they assume he smoked? I know where he went to the pub that he got irritated from the smokers there, could it have been caused by passive smoking? Squamous cell carcinoma (sun or smoke)?

Answer 1

no

Answer 2

i dont really know but i just hope that he will be well!

Answer 3

IT depends but usually yes

Answer 4

Squamous cell carcinoma is a skin cancer in that it starts in epithelium tissue. This tissue is part of the skin, but it also lines areas throughout the body and some glands are form from it

There are several risk factors for this cancer. When it is found in sun exposed areas it is usually due to sun exposure. However, it is also found in the lungs, prostate, bladder and cervix and none of those areas are ever exposed to the sun. When it is found inside the mouth it is often seen in patients that are heavy smokers and drinkers, but it doesn’t mean the patient necessarily has to be a heavy smoker or drinker and there are other risk factors.

It would not be professional or polite for a doctor  to be accusatory when questioning a patient, but each doctor should be asking many of the same questions as it is part of getting a good history. Asking about smoking, drinking, drug use, family history and past surgeries are all pretty standard.

Are you sure the cancer started on his chin and spread to his mouth? This would be an unusual way to spread, but not impossible, and it does affect his treatment and prognosis. I think they are probably not related at all. I also think the cancer on his chin was probably caused by sun exposure and the cancers in his mouth were most likely caused by HPV. I could be wrong, I’m not a physician and I know little about your father’s case, but I work with cancer cases everyday. You would know if I am correct or not by looking at his pathology reports. Best wishes to you both.

Answer 5

Maybe hes just ill.

Answer 6

Hmm interesting question.. Most cancers have a chance of being increased by smoking however low doses of secound hand smoke wouldn't do much of that... Besides that: Skin cancer is cause primarily by sun exposure to UVA rays. So it was most likely the sun... Genetics and Genes could have played a role as well.

Answer 7

i don't know the answer but sorry about your dad. my dad died of brain cancer when i was 13. but i think maybe from smoke???

Answer 8

what he is experiencing is most often seen in heavy smokers or users of chewing tobacco, that's all.  It certainly doesn't mean it can't happen in non-tobacco users tho...Doctors like to find causative factors, unfortunately, there isn't always one readily available.  There are large numbers of people who develop cancers of all sorts for no apparant reason whatever.

Answer 9

smoking can cause all forms of cancer which is why they continually ask. odds are, unless he spent great amounts of time in the pub, he didn't get cancer from that. we all have cancer cells in our body, all they have to do is be activated and we have cancer and there's a bunch of different things that can activate it. all he needs to do is tell them no every time they ask.