Re: HPV, Who is more qualified for an Oral Cancer screening?

Is a Dentist or an ENT more, or equally qualified to screen for oral cancer? Ive been having mild pain around my tonsil for 3 weeks now, visited an ENT but she could not find anything... I also finished a 10 day round of antibiotics that have not made much of a difference. She did a thorough examination with a scope down my throat and felt my lymph nodes, but I dont know how closely she inspected my tonsils.
I seem to see a small nodule growing on the right side which is the one that is bothering me. The ENT mentioned I need to get them removed because they are large, but more from a Sleep Apnea standpoint.

I am 24 and dont smoke or drink, I was involved with a girl who had cervical dysplasia (usually caused by HPV) and gave her oral, she is one 5 partners ive had since 18. I have read that with the recent studies, 5 or more oral partners increases your risk by 32 times for Oral Cancer, and being with someone with HPV16 raises it 76 times! Thats a one in 2500 chance. Thanks.

Sorry folks... I meant I noticed a small nodule on the tonsil itself not my neck. Actually... the lack of lymph node involvement is why im concerned its not just an infection.

Also, you better believe Im being careful now. I took extensive precautions with HIV with the women I was with at that point (my partners and I have HIV tests as part of healthy sexual practices), but HPV was an unforeseen threat to me at that time. Hindsight is 20/20 as they say :(

You are quite correct that HPV16 and I believe 18 had been directly related to a sharp rise in oral cancer. And these are based on getting this from oral sex.

But do keep in mind that that these cancers can take a long time to develop from this actual virus. Anyone women today should get the HPV vaccine before becoming sexually active since men can actually spread the HPV without any knowledge or symptoms.

The lump on your neck is probably an enlarged lymph node. Keep in mind this could be the mumps, Mono鈥?or numerous other infections that are very treatable. To really detect the cancer they would probably have to do a biopsy on the enlarge nymph node. Certainly a pain in the neck but it would provide a much better diagnoses.

There are screens for cancer but keep in mind some of these have turned up in the wrong direction. Such as the current screening for prostate cancer have been shown to get a lot of false positives.

AdviceMan

I personally would go with the ENT, go to a different one if you want, though. It's all about finding a Dr. that you click with.

You need to have an HPV test and that can be done at your health department.

I was a dental assistant many years ago and we did screen for oral cancer.

I would also advise you to be more respectful to yourself and practice safe sex. HIV can be spread even on oral sex if you have or your partner has a open sore in their mouth and so on.

Please be more careful.

ENTs ALWAYS check tonsils as a matter of course during any exam. Did you discuss your risk factors with the ENT? She can only go by what you tell her (she's not a mind-reader). However, ENTs are head and neck specialists and treat/cure cancer of the mouth, nose and throat every day; they know what to look for!
ENTs go to four years of medical school and do a 5 year residency, and many will do a fellowship of about 2-3 years. Dentists do 4 years of dental school with no residency (unless they've done a fellowship). So, who do YOU think is better qualified? I'd go to an ENT, for sure!