Army veteran suffers unbearable tooth ache... but is left horrified by what doctors found: 'Less than 200 cases in the world'

A newly retired Army chemical officer underwent three root canal operations to cure an extreme toothache only to discover that he had one of the world's rarest cancer.

Lieutenant Colonel Brian Hooks began suffering from what he thought was toothache within months of retiring from the Army after 25 years in June 2022.

He visited a dentist, an endodontist, an ENT and an oral surgeon in a fruitless bid to find the cause of the horrific pain, but it was only in September last year that a biopsy finally diagnosed a SMARCB1 deficient sinonasal carcinoma.

'It's a rare form of cancer, less than 200 cases is what they told me,' he told WFTS in Tampa, Florida.

'I thought I was a healthy guy. I work out. I eat right.'

Lt Col Brian Hooks had just retired after 25 years in the US Army when he began suffering what he thought was severe toothache, only to be diagnosed with one of the world's rarest cancers

More than 100 people have contributed to a Gofundme appeal set up by wife Debbra after a diagnosis which she says has 'turned our world upside down'

Two months later he had surgery to remove half his palate and now struggles with eating and speaking.

'They're still doing scans to make sure there's no re-occurrence,' he said.

The cancer attacks the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses and affects fewer than one in a million people.

According to research from the NIH, fewer than 200 cases have been reported in medical literature. The study also noted that it makes up just one percent of all head and neck cancers.

Much is still unknown about the prognosis, but the NIH states that most patients survive just two to four years after diagnosis, and 'later stage tumors are associated with a worse prognosis.'

Symptoms include nasal obstructions, headaches, protrusion of the eyeball, nosebleeds - and what sometimes feels like severe toothache.

'I've been grinding my teeth since I was a kid, maybe I'm grinding my teeth at night,' Hooks said.

'I've never had a cavity. Initially, they thought well we don't see anything wrong with your teeth.

'They ended up giving me root canals for three teeth, didn't need root canals. I kept having pain.'

Hooks spent four years as Team Chief for Special Operations Forces in their Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction unit before moving to US Special Operations Command Central.

Hooks had just started his post-Army career and was already winning glowing reviews from his new bosses, while Debbra remains in the forces as an analyst for the US Air Force 

He had just started his post-Army career as an environmental, health, and safety specialist at a Florida paving firm when he noticed something wrong, but had already made a big impression on his new bosses.

'Brian's strength is in remaining calm in the face of adversity, researching and understanding regulations and being a positive role model,' they wrote in a glowing testimonial.

That strength in adversity is now being tested to the limit in the face of a diagnosis which wife Debbra, 46, says has 'turned our world upside down'.

She has started a GoFundMe appeal to help pay for medical bills now running to tens of thousands of dollars.

'Brian underwent a challenging surgery on November 7 followed by intense rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatments,' she wrote.

'While he has shown incredible resilience and courage throughout this difficult journey, we know that there is still a long road ahead.

'The treatments have taken a toll on his body, and we are now exploring other options for treatment.'

More than 100 people have donated to the fundraiser, and former MLB players David Wells and Toby Hall are joining radio host Mike Calta behind the bar on Saturday for a Celebrity Bartending Night to raise funds for the family at the Three Brothers New York Pizza in Odessa.

Former MLB players David Wells (left) and Toby Hall (centre) are joining radio host Mike Calta  (right) on Saturday for a Celebrity Bartending Night to raise funds for the family

'Everybody has been really supportive; my neighbors, my family, my friends, my wife,' Hooks said.

'My wife has done so much for me. I wouldn't be here without her and without God, first and foremost.

Hooks said he was refused a biopsy when he first asked for one and has urged his fellow veterans to look out for themselves.

'Make sure you get your checks, your annual checks and if you have anything out of the ordinary, don't ignore it,' he said.

'Go to the doctor and get checked.'