 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2000-08-24 07:59
I found a feaful posting in a flute mailing list about tougue cancer. Does anybody heard about any similar things for clarinettists?
quote:
Dear List,
When I recently returned from the Oxford Flute Summer school, there was an email message from John Ranck, a flutist from Boston,who had been diagnosed with carcinoma in situ in his tongue. He was facing surgery to have part of his tongue removed and he was contacting me because he had heard that I had had squamous cell cancer in my tongue in 1997 and had to have a similar surgery. By the time I received his message, it was the day of his surgery. I called him the next day and we had a good talk. He was very lucky because he did not have squamous cell cancer,(only carcinoma in situ, which is NOT full- blown cancer) and they got a good clear margin around his tumor so he should be fine.
The reason I am posting this is because I want to warn
everybody (especially flutists) to be very careful. His cancer started as a small growth on his tongue. Mine started as a canker sore. If you EVER have a sore or growth on your tongue or in your mouth that doesn't go away in a few weeks, get it checked out and get a biopsy if necessary. This stuff can be very dangerous and you can
lose your entire tongue!
Sincerely,
Katherine Kemler
Flute Professor
LSU
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Author: C. Hogue
Date: 2000-08-24 15:04
Does playing a woodwind have anything to do with the risk of getting cancer of the tounge or oral cavity? Personally, I doubt it.
Tobacco use -- smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes and chewing or dipping tobacco or snuff -- are scientifically shown to be risk factors for these types of cancers.
Checking with a health care professional about any odd growth or sore that won't heal (and not just in one's mouth) is wise self-care.
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2000-08-25 01:10
I am a board certified Pediatric Dentist who also plays clarinet and sometimes visits this site. I would like to add tothe two above posts:
1) I have never heard or read of playing any woodwind instrument being linked to an increase in the likelyhood of developing cancerous lesions. For us clarinetists it is common to develop keratinized tissue on the inner surface of the lower lip. I suppose that this area of chronic trauma may be something to watch for changes, but I have never seen problems develop there.
2) What is worse than losing a piece of your tongue is losing your life. If you are concerned about a lesion (sore) ask your dentist or physician about it..... now.
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Author: Roger
Date: 2000-08-25 12:43
A word of advice to all women (men tell women about this). I know about this because my wife has ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is one of the most deadly cancers around because it is seldom detected early. There is a blood test (T-135 blood marker) but it is not routinely given because it is not too accurate. Many insurance companies will not pay for it. Women, pay for it yourselves and insist on it. It is not all that expensive.
This year my wife was getting bigger in the middle, yet her diet and execise habits had not changed. In many cases that is the only symptom of ovarian cancer. She finally went to the doctor when she could not eat because of pressure on the stomach. (She had a pap smear every year. This does not detect ovarian cancer.)
After the cancer diagnois (obtained by a cat scan) they drained 13 lbs (5.5 liters) of fluid from my wife---that is what caused the swelling---it does not spread the cancer. The cancer was stage 3 (meaning it had spread) and the hystorectomy (sp?) only got 95% of the cancer. Chemo will have to take care of the rest, but it is not that successful as a rule.
All women should watch their bodies closely; with a little luck they might detect this cancer early. Oh yes, you can still get ovarian cancer after you have had a hystorectomy (sp?). We have met several women who have.
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