Brittany Madder, a 26-year-old seminary teacher at Thunder Ridge High School in Idaho Falls, experienced a life-changing moment when a routine wisdom teeth extraction led to an unexpected cancer diagnosis.
For months, Madder had noticed a large bump on the roof of her mouth, but it didn’t cause any pain until just before her wisdom teeth surgery in September. When the pain began to worsen, she mentioned it to her oral surgeon, who expressed concern and ordered a CT scan. While her dentist initially thought the bump was an infection, her oral surgeon, having seen a similar case before, recommended a biopsy.
A week later, Madder received the life-altering news. “It was really emotional because the (oral surgeon) comes in and I looked at him and was like, ‘Is it bad news?’” Madder recalled. The oral surgeon, visibly moved, confirmed that it was indeed bad news. He referred her to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, where she was diagnosed with chondroblastic osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer that typically affects children and is known for spreading rapidly. Although rare in the roof of the mouth, the diagnosis was considered better in that location because it’s less likely to spread to other areas.
On October 21, 2024, Madder underwent an extensive 8.5-hour surgery to remove the tumor that had grown into her teeth, along with some lymph nodes. Doctors had to reconstruct her upper palate and maxilla, using part of her fibula and skin from her leg to rebuild the area. Arteries from her leg were also transplanted to ensure the tissue would take.
In addition to the intense physical recovery, Madder has also been undergoing fertility treatments in preparation for chemotherapy. She had her eggs harvested before starting her six rounds of chemotherapy, which are expected to take about seven months.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Madder and her husband, married for just three years, remain positive. “We decided that this is happening to us, and there’s no point in being grumps about it,” she said. “We can still be happy and find little things that help us feel normal.”
Madder also emphasized the importance of speaking up when something doesn’t feel right, encouraging others to voice their concerns with their dentists. “Don’t be afraid to say something because I was like, ‘Oh, it’s probably fine,’ but I’m thankful I had an oral surgeon that knew something needed to be done,” she shared.
The support from the Idaho Falls community has been overwhelming for Madder, and she expressed deep gratitude for the kindness shown. “It’s so cool to see people supporting people,” she said, adding that once she’s recovered, she hopes to be a source of support for others facing similar challenges.
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