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Head and Neck Cancer

Archives for September 2017

Yearly scans
Hi, I am a year out from my second surgery for scc on my tongue. The first didn't require anything other than surgery and some nodes removed as my margins were clear. 2 years out from that, i was diagnosed with scc at the base of my tongue which was more involved and included a reconstructed tongue, nodes taken from both…
Swallowing
Hello! I had part of the back of my tongue removed on July 20. I have started PT/OT for speech/swallowing. I'm very scared I will never be able to eat or drink liquids. Anyone have suggestions. I'm also having issues the the supplement. I've tried Nutren 2.0 and now using osmolite 1.5. Im having trouble maintaining my…
Nasel biopsy gone wrong need help please
aftee 7 months of sores in my nose finally got a biopsy. The ENT biopsies thewrong ple. About 3 mm off from where the sore was on my septum left side. I don't know what to do. My worst fear came true. It is small but has been crusting over and then getting a white patch on it and then bleeding a little and then starts all…
Excessive saliva and blenderized foods
I'm having excessive saliva. On July 20, I had surgery to remove lymph nodes on both sides of my neck, removed back of my tongue and reconstructed the tongue with my pectoral muscle. I am on tube feedings. Not tolerating the supplement. Looking for guidance and suggestions. Has anyone blenderized food? Thank
Cesplatin and hearing loss
I completed Radiation 35 treatments and 3 chemo cesplatin on Sept 1st for HPV. Since then I have loss a lot of hearing probably left with 20 percent and also have ringing In my ears. Has anyone experience this and gained hearing back? I am hoping since only a month ago I will improve. If anyone has a positive story I would…
Cesplatin and Hearing
I was diagnosed with HPV. Received 35 radiation treatment and 3 chemo Cesplatin. I completed treatement on Sept 1st. Since completion it has been very hard to hear. I feel I have about 20 percent in both ears. Also buzzing and ringing. Has anyone had these side effect and seen improvement? If so how long for improvement. I…
Post treatment therapies - survey
Hi all NPC survivors! I was treated for NPC stage 2 in 2013. Doctors did not recommend or mention of any therapy for side effects from chemo and radiation. Did anyone had or having any therapy post treatment besides medications? It seems we are on our own once we rang the bell. Please share your experiences if you receive…
Latest scan results weren't what I wanted to hear It's back
I had my 3rd set of check up scans last Thursday. Met with the doctor today to get the results. Not what wanted to hear. I have another tumor in my left lymph node at the jaw and it is wrapped around the a cartirod vien. Scheduled for surgery on Monday at MD Anderson. Previous treatment ended in January. I had 40 radiation…
CT Scan
Those of you that have been here for a pretty long time will remember that 3 years after treatment for laryngeal cancer I got a small nodule in my lung which turned out to be cancerous, had surgery to get it out. Today I had my 5 year cat scan on that and all was well and clear. Denis
Question for those that have tried acupuncture.
Hi, my husband (SCC BOT and lymph node on one side of neck, HPV+) has completed two rounds of Erbitux and 2 days of radiation! We know we have a long road ahead, but am trying to do what we can now to make the road as smooth as possible. For those of you that had success with acupuncture, did you start it during your…
Almost done treatment, BUT
Hi, My dad (72) is in week 7(final week) of his treatment. Last week they decided to stop chemo because his platelets are too low and he was experiencing severe paleness and fatigue. He is missing week 6 and 7 of that. ( i don not know if they plan to give it to him once his blood counts are back up). As for the radiation,…
Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome (RFS)
Hey guy’s I am curious if anyone has experienced Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome following RAD treatment. I am five years’ post treatment and everything as far as NED is great. However, I was having a lot of pain right below my clavicle on the right side for about two months. I finally saw my GP and he ordered x-rays and CT…
3 months post treatment
Had a CT scan today and will have a PET scan this Thursday. Then follow up with the ENT Doctor next Monday. Very nervous about receiving results. Hoping for awesome news.
First day of radiation...I have noticed something already...help
Hi All, I went for my first treatment today. I took Ativan but probably won't need it again as I didn't find it stressful. My question is for anyone who has had neck dissection with resulting nerve damage, prior to rads. I found after treatment that the nerve in my ear was quite irritated and painful (that's part of the…
Completed radiation and chemo. But still have lump.
Im hoping someone has insight. I completed Chemo and radiation on Sept 1st. I still have lump on side of my neck almost size of an egg. I dont have a PTcan until November. Can anyone tell me if they experience this and lump went away on its own so you didn't need surgery. I am really concerned that after all this treatment…
Hi. I'm new here
Hi. I was just diagnosed with stage IV tonsil cancer. It has not completely sunk in yet. Everything is coming at me so fast. They say I will need both radiation and chemo. Just got appointments to see those doctors. I live 4 hours from university of michigan hospital, where I am planning on getting treatments. I have…
Return to work
Dear all, I am preparing to return to work. I would love to here about your experiences. Do and do not suggestions? I am debating between disclosing my diagnosis or not. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks in advance
Hi everyone, I'm still here woo hoo
Hi all, just a quick check in dx 2009, right tonsil ssc chemo, radio etc all good all tastes and saliva is back, happy as larry. Just wanted to share. Mwah, Good luck to everyone fightiing the big fight, so doable.
The C: Section Chronicles - 5 months
It's been 5 months since the last day of radiation treatment and I feel great. I still have issues with lack of saliva so I chew gum everyday. Because of the dry mouth and difficulty in swallowing I do not look forward to meal times. Drinking and eating is very slow, but hey... I'm alive and that is one blessing I can be…
Tongue still numb after surgery
I had SCC of the tongue and had surgery (no skin graft though) on May 18th and am about 6 weeks post RADS. Part of my tongue is still numb and I was wondering if other people had numbness that lasted a long time and how long did it take to get back to "normal". Thanks!
Cisplatin with radiation; to do or not to do?
Hi Everyone, I think I know what I will do but am interested in your opinions. Scc bot lateralized to right 2 mm, hpv+, mets to lymph nodes right side- surgeries have removed everything that could be seen, stage III. I start radiation next week. Hpv+ is very sensitive to radiation with higher cure rate. I'm going into this…
HPV related throat cancer?
A little background: 5 year ex-smoker {quit Dec 2016} 5 year ex-drinker {same quit time} Possibly HPV positive {haven't been tested, positive for symptoms} Chronically ill Under 30 Hi So, I went to my primary care doctor about a week ago because I have very hard lymph nodes above my right clavicle and the left front and…
Erbitux? How soon did you develop the rash?
Hi, for those that had Erbitux, how long did it take for you to develop the rash? My husband had his first round 3 days ago and no rash yet! I feel like I want to see the rash to know that the stuff is in there and working! Not sure if there is anything to that or not...I've seen opinions on both sides.
WHAT CAN I EAT???
I'm 33 days out of treatment from radiation therapy for BOT SCC. I have had a hard time swallowing water but am getting better with that. I don't choke as much anymore. I have started trying different types of food to see if I could swallow as well as handle the metallic taste. Nothing I've tried works. I'm beginning to…
Diagnosed with squamous today
Diagnosed today with squamous cancer. Growth on my tonsil could be from HPV virus. Will not find out out until I get pet scan done sometime next week. I am so scared but trying to be positive. how do I explain to my 16 yr old daughter?
Newly DX - Caregiver
Hello All, My husband, DH, was recently dx with SCC/hpv. He had a biopsy Thursday and results today confirm what the doctor thought. His tumor is large, 4.7cmx4.5cm.4.2cm - about the size of a golf ball they said. There is also one lymph node involved. It is hard for him to swallow and difficult to understand him. He is…
Healthy Alternative to Boost or Ensure?
My brother-in-law just completed chemo/radiation last week and the past week has been hellish. Still feels like he has a hot coal in his throat, lots of mucus, nausea, etc. He is having a difficult time drinking Boost, it's just too thick and all the sugar and milk protein is not agreeing with him. Is there a healthy…
New to site Need Info scheduled for Opdivo
I have stage 4 head and neck cancer then the tell me I also have prostate cancer. I now just had lung biopsy, came back positive right lung. Now they want me to start Opdivo, dont like what I've read about it. Any info would be appreciated. I have been threw chemo and then radiation w/chemo now this WOW... Info please.
Your average, run of the mill tongue tumor (longish)
My history is SCC of the tongue, right side, relatively small removed March 2016 along with 42 lymph nodes all clear, clean margins. I had no chemo and no radiation for which I am extremely grateful, but I do have some problems and wonder if there are any others in my situation. I realize that no two surgeries or tumors…
The waiting game... Need Help :/
I'm nervous, because I don't know how to stay calm through this process. I'm a new mom, and now I'm looking down the barrel of possible cancer. It started about 2.5 years ago with a swollen lymph node. I saw an ENT and he brought me in a couple times, but never seemed to get anywhere. He sent me to get a lymph node…

Head and Neck Cancer

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