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Head and Neck Cancer

Archives for May 2019

Clear pet scan came back normal before surgery in a few days
I am 57 year old female - I had a pet scan done a couple days before my glossectomy and neck dissection and tongue reconstruction surgery with thigh graft. All that happens on June 3rd - Pet Scan - It came back normal. Is that a good sign I might not need radiation?
modified radical neck dissection
Hi all! Just putting out a new thread so it is not lost. A few have already shared their experiences. Thank you again!! Surgery next week and hoping there is someone out there that just had this surgery and wants to share. Or if you are a year out--how the recovery has been? Everyone on this website have given me strength…
HPV related cancer
I am devasted. I am currently 3 years out from Base of Tongue cancer treatment , HPV related. I liv e with the ongoing side effects , teeth problems, Thyroid issues , dry mouth , swallowing difficulty and now eye problems apparently from chemo. I had advanced cancer, it was a helluva battle. So life goes on , return to the…
Great news
Latest pet scan this week was cancer free. Neck lumps at surgery site are swelling lymph nodes and no threat. Very relieved. Chemo and Radiation ended July 2017. Permanent dry mouth, hearing loss and nerve damage etc. since has made life miserable but cancer free is a major relief. Best to all of you who are living with…
Tongue Cancer flap reconstruction help me please
I am 57 year old female have been on this discussion board for a few days just found out from my pre op appt that they are gonig to do a glossectomy, neck dissection and flap reconstruction what does all that mean? Can someone tell me what to expect what is flap reconstruction> please help me understand. I am scared so…
Side effects of radiation and chemo how long does it all last for like a week?
I am newly diagnosed 57 year old female with SCC of tongue Stage 1 they tell me - they have scheduled surgery for June 3rd a glossectomy and neck dissection? I don't know what to expect with those can anyone share with me any information I would be forever grateful - what are side effects of glossectomy and neck…
Lifetime feeding tube
Has anyone else with neck and throat cancer been given a lifetime sentence of having to take their nutrition and hydration solely by a feeding tube and machine or bolus? If so, why? That is if I may ask. Mine was the result of a swallow test I underwent about 2-months ago which showed that I am aspirating every time I…
Will radiation and chemo be a part of my treatment can I forgo that part?
I am 57 year old female diagnosed with stage 1 tongue cancer base of tongue on left hand side. I am writing to ask they are doing a partial or glossectomy they said with a thigh graft and then neck dissection - will i have to have radiation or chemo treatments after surgery? Or can I be spared of that and forgo the…
Attitude is everything
A little background as to where this post is coming from. I was diagnosed a few months after my 34th birthday with Stage IV SCC of the Tongue. It started with issues swallowing which the local ENT diagnosed as a sinus infection. After my primary care doctor took a look he suggested getting a Biopsy. This is how it was…
Info. for New Folks Here Please Check
Out the Superthread at the top of the Head and Neck forum--- https://csn.cancer.org/node/261072
Stage 1 Cancer under left side of tongue front of tongue
Has anyone been diagnosed with tongue cancer under the tongue - will have operation on June 3rd. Is having tongue cancer in the front of your tongue worse than having it in back of the tongue. I never dealt with anything this before and just wondering. Can you all tell me the experiences with tongue cancer and what I…
Sleepless in Utah
Good morning all, happy holiday! Im Aaron from Utah. stage three base of tongue with hpv+. Just finished my third week of six currently in radiation. I havent slept more than 3 hours at a time in over a week. Dry mouth and mucustitus prominent. Ive been drinking Orgain protein mixed with almond milk for my only nurishment,…
First Time diagnosed with Stage 1 SCC of tongue What to expect need help
I am 57 years old female - first time diagnosed with Stage 1 SCC of tongue. I am having a partial glossectomy and they said they are going to reconstruct my tongue with a thigh graft. I will have a feeding tube and neck dissection as well to take out lymph nodes. Can anyone tell me what to expect - do the tubes stay in for…
The C: Section Chronicles - Reflection day
The C: Section Chronicles - Reflection day. Sometimes you look back and think about the milestones you worked towards and how relieved you are when you reached them. In the 1980's my family sold up our home and moved to Palmerston North so I could study to be a teacher. At the beginning of 1986 graduation in 1990 was so…
Well Differentiated Squamous Cell Carcinoma Stage 1 Tongue Cancer
Hi I am 57 years old female and new to board. I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Well Differentiated Squamous Cell Carcinoma. They scheduled my surgery for June 3 for a partial glossectomy and neck dissection. How long do the tubes stay in? I will have feeeding tube and neck tube? What is the life expectancy? Will I be 100%…
Help hubby wants to end treatment early
i am at a loss as to what to saY. Hubby wants to ask to end his treatments at 4 weeks, heal and then see if they got it, then if not repeat the 4 weeks. He is only stage 1 with no lymph nodes involved. Just right tonsil. He is stubborn and I feel doesn’t want to really deal with the mounting side effects, not to mention he…
modified radical neck dissection
Hi there. Has anyone recently gone through this? My surgery is June 6th. This after total thyroid removal last year and total hysterectomy 1 1/2 years ago. Both due to cancer. This is on my left side with a radiation iodine pill to follow about a month after. I've done a lot of research but this is my first time joining a…
It is with Deep Sadness
that i let you all know that my mom passed away on Friday, May 17th. She was doing quite well, considering she chose to forgo treatment back in September when she was diagnosed. A week ago, we were all at her apartment eating "Mother's Day" cake - and even mom was able to eat it. (She had some issues with getting certain…
For those about to radiate...
Hi All, Short history... February 2016 - Diagnosed tongue cancer, HPV-, under left side April 2016 - Surgery, tongue, left modified neck dissection (one node affected, 2 levels of nodes removed) May 2016 - 33 rounds IMRT, tongue and neck August 2016 - Discovered lump on right neck (found on early PET scans, dismissed as…
Thanks for the encouragement!!
Debbie and Wgaruss, I appreciate your feedback. Now I don't feel so down. Guess I'm just not patient! I too thought what if I can never eat! But I am thankful to be alive. It's truly amazing that we can even get through these hard times. I really enjoy this forum. Sometimes you learn more here than from the doctors. Lol
Can't eat
Thank you all for replying. I appreciate all your feedback. I'm hoping that someday I will be able to eat again. This is by far the hardest battle to fight. Don't want sympathy just encouragement that things will get better. My radiologist said it can take up to 2 years for the radiation side effects to go away. I almost…
HBOT treatment
Had tonsil cancel in 2008. everything great now. in 2010 i need 7 teeth extraxted. Did 32 HBOT drives. fast forward to today. 10 years cancer free. just wondering if anyone can answer a question. i need 22 teeth extracted now for dentures. like i said hbot on 2010 . will i need hbot treatments again? my jaw is rock solid…
Still can't eat! Ugh...
I was diagnosed with bas of tongue and tonsil cancer. I finished treatment on May 21st 2018. I have a feeding tube. I still can't eat any soft or solid foods. The only thing I can get down is pudding. I got so sick of eating that I quit for awhile cause it was making me nauseated. I do my throat excersizes almost every…
Neck discomfort 17 months out
Laser surgery for BOT HPV+ cancer in December 2017, modified radical neck dissection/both side, took 57 lymph nodes/cancer only spread to 1, doc called it an "indolent" cancer. 30 rads in Feb-March 2018. Just had a CT scan of neck soft tissues last month, all clear. My problem is neck discomfort. There's always been some,…
Salivary Glands Done, nada. Help
3 yrs out from treatment. 7 weeks Rad & Chemo. Finally lost the Salivary Glands, next will be the thyroid. Already on meds for that. This extremely dry mouth is driving my insane. What the hell did that Rad Dr dose Me with. Ton of stomach issues & keeping food in. Now losing My Favorite ENT, moving to new state. So in 4…
Recently diagnosed with olfactory neuroblastoma
I am a 27 year old who was diagnosed with olfactory neuroblastoma in March of this year (2019). I found the tumour in my nose in November but was told it was just a polyp until I finally seen an ENT. I had surgery to remove my tumour through my nostril in April at Toronto Western Hospital. They did the entire surgery…
Third Time Around
Seems that every 2 or 2 1/2 years cancer returns. I was originally diagnosed with cancer of the parotid gland (33 rad and 7 chemo). 2 years later it returned, primarily in my jaw (surgery, 30 rad and 7 more chemo. Now, 2 1/2 years later it has returned but is located in my frontal lobe. It's affected the 6th cranial nerve…
Need Help From Phranie51 or people who fought recurrences
Hello, I had right BOT HPV+ diagnosed in August 6, 2016. That was "treated" with 35 rads and 9 weeks of Erbitux. As of Feb. or March 2017, I resumed a normal life minus side effects of radiation. The cancer recccured on August 2 2018 in right BOT and tonsil. A smooth talkig SO at Stanford promised he'll "Cure" me, I…
Remission over ☹️
Hello everyone, I found out yesterday that my sister (40urs old) is being evaluated for a relapse after being in remission for about 15 years. What a blow! A little about the family. Cancer has had a strong presence in my life since I was a teen. My brother was diagnosed with Ewing carcinoma at 16 and he unfortunately…

Head and Neck Cancer

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