Getting a Squamous Cell Carcinoma diagnosis will, for some people, be one of the worst moments of their lives. As an oral surgeon, it’s your responsibility to walk your patients through this moment, and the process that follows. In today’s episode, Dr. Nicholas Callahan is here to share his thoughts on the kindest and most effective way to do this. We discuss everything from indicators of a potential Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the mouth and how to do a biopsy of an oral cavity lesion, to delivering a diagnosis to a patient, treating the cancer, and dealing with the potentially major life changes that take place after surgery. Nick also shares the importance of being open-minded as a dental student; you may be surprised by which areas of oral surgery make you feel fulfilled!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Dr. Nicholas Callahan shares an overview of his background in oral surgery and his current areas of focus.
• Factors to take into consideration when choosing a fellowship or a residency training program.
• Reasons for the negative connotations associated with oral cavity cancer.
• Symptoms on the inside of the mouth which may signal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
• Areas inside the mouth that are high risk for Squamous Cell Carcinoma. 
• Why Nick worries more about painless ulcers than painful ones.
• Unlearning what you were taught at dental school about how to biopsy a potential cancer lesion.
• Why Nick prefers private practitioners to contact him directly when they have identified Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a patient.
• The initial screening process for a patient with Squamous Cell Carcinoma. 
• Advice for delivering a Squamous Cell Carcinoma diagnosis to a patient.
• Steps to treating Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
• The survival rate for T4 cancers. 
• Possible long-term effects of Squamous Cell Carcinoma surgery.
• The power of a positive mindset amongst cancer patients.
• Valuable advice for dental students: be open-minded and take advantage of every opportunity!
• A rapid-fire round with Nick.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Nicholas Callahan Email — [email protected]

Chicago Max Face on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/chicagomaxface/?hl=en  

The Road by Cormac McCarthy — https://www.amazon.com/Road-Cormac-McCarthy/dp/0307387895

Ghostbusters — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087332/  

Everyday Oral Surgery — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/ 

Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/?hl=en 

Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/ 

Dr. Grant Stucki Email — [email protected]

Dr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059