On a personal note, my initial appointment at MD Anderson is just under a week away (well, a week minus 1.5 hours).

I know I'm taking a nonstandard approach, but as I've mentioned before: Exploring the option of targeted therapy and possibly a clinical trial is right for me. I totally support those of you who choose conventional surgery. I know that I don't think like most people, and I've been deeply involved in (non-medical) research for decades. Heck, I may end up with conventional surgery anyway. We will see where it goes.

Unless someone objects, I'll post updates as it goes. Initial appointment should be setting up the game plan for the rest of the week - potentially other appointments, tests, etc. Feel free to ask any questions you have!

I have to say, it's been really frustrating how slow this process is going - and especially how I'm having to prod various offices to send over medical records & samples after they spent weeks being nonresponsive to MDA requests. (oral surgeon and pathology lab being the pain points). I presume that genetic testing still needs to happen to determine whether I actually have the BRAF V600E mutation (probably 80% of mandibular ameloblastomas have this mutation). There is already an FDA approved drug therapy for several cancers (Melanoma, etc) which have this mutation - but no approval for ameloblastoma specifically.