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Hi everyone. I had read through many of your stories and found them very informative. I mainly came to this page because my 10 year old son received a prognosis of ameloblastoma. We just found out two days ago and I am completely stressed out. Our oral surgeon referred us to a different oral surgeon who is associated with a hospital that can operate on children. Our appointment is next week and I'm just anxiously reading information until then.
Replies to "Hi everyone. I had read through many of your stories and found them very informative. I..."
Hi @lesleylbrown and welcome to the Mayo Clinic Connect Head and Neck Cancer group. First of all Ameloblastoma is not considered a cancer, just to get that out of the way. Yet it is such a rare phenomenon of the dental / mandible / jaw area that we found it appropriate to place this group within the Head and Neck group. The surgery's are often related and certainly the rebuild surgery if necessary is roughly identical, and rare as well.
I personally have not had Ameloblastoma. However, I have had the same surgery as @anbar04 and others who check these pages regularly. Anbar is my hero in that she is young yet faced this issue head on (no pun intended, but it works) and has moved on in life certainly stronger than ever both in heart and mind. You will also find others here who can guide you along the way.
Word of caution, insure the surgeon is experience with this specifically. If not, get a referral or search on your own. If in the USA, there are a handful of hospitals / clinics with experience in Ameloblastoma, Mayo, M.D. Anderson, Cleveland Clinic, and a handful of others there for example.
Don't be scared. Courage. This can be managed and will be. Life is what happens when you are making other plans.
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@lesleylbrown I’m sorry to hear that we’ll all be praying for and wishing the best for your son. It’s always nerve-racking to be diagnosed with something so rare and I can only imagine how it must feel as mother. The best thing you can do to relieve the anxiety is to keep supporting your son throughout this process but also take time for yourself to come to terms with everything and feel well informed with how the process may be for him. Just know that as long as he’s in good hands he’ll be ok and that this journey reflects your sons and also your own strength and can build character in ways you’d never think. In the meantime research is good and you can always ask us if you have any questions and know that with hardship comes ease💕🥰