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Head and Neck Cancer

New to Site, family member of Patient issue with Cetuximab
Hi, I am new to this site in my efforts to support my brother who was diagnosed with stage III HPV Squamous cell Oropharyngeal Cancer. He is being treated at a Teaching University, so I'm pleased about that, however in researching the treatment protocol of the Generic Erbitux, Cetuximab I'm very concerned with what I've…
new to group
hi, I'm new to this group. I was diagnosed with this cancer last year and completed treatment (radiation and chemo) in June of this year. I'm apparently cured according to my doctors but I have some lingering symptoms that I'm wondering about. The most annoying/painful one is the skin on my head is incredibly sensitive…
Hello and Taste Question
Wish I would have found this discussion board sooner during my treatment. Diagnosed with p16 and p40 HPV+ Squamous Cell Carcinoma, with primary tumor on base of tongue and lymphnodes on both sides affected on 11/1/2021. Completed radiation and 3 doses of cisplatin on January 20 and clean PET scan in April. All follow up…
Dentist after radiation?
I had 6 1/2 weeks of radiation. surgery, and chemotherapy in 2011. I have had teeth extracted in 2016 and had 30 Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments for the extractions; to help bone heal. It is now April 2018 and I have more dental issues. I also have reduced saliva production. I now live in Killeen, Texas and wonder are there…
Patulous Eustachian Tube
Have any of you had radiation to the head which cause Patulous Eustachian Tube. That's where the "E" tube does not close and you can hear yourself talk, breath, etc.
92 year old with oral squamous cell Ca
My 92 year old mother in law was recently diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in 2 areas in her mouth - R cheek and alveolar ridge close to her jaw. Her cancer has not been staged. She has had two CT scans and will have a PET scan this week. She has met with the surgeon, radiologist and oncologist. She has COPD, CAD,…
Questions regarding pyriform sinus tumor
I am in search of others with a pyriform sinus tumor diagnosis. I started to feel a lump in my throat about two months ago. I have a history of severe GERD, esophageal stricture and hiatal hernia so I went to my gastro, who found a tumor, he called it a polyp, in the pyriform sinus via scope. He stressed that my lump…
Newly Diagnosed - What Sort of Tests Would Be Done After a Positive Biopsy Result on a Tongue Lesion
Hi there, I am new to the group so hello everyone and thank you for having such a group for people who are having to go through this horrible illness. I have just received a positive cancer biopsy result on a lesion on my tongue (I have had oral lichen planus since 2006 so white patchy lesions on tongue are common) and my…
Gerd in head and neck cancer
My mother aged 71 years is having pyriform fossa cancer extending to upper esophagus. She I having chemo radiation as the treatment. She had 17 radiation and 2 chemo. Now she is suffering with gastro reflux every time the whole day. Any way to handle it. Anyone experienced this Also it will be good if anyone knows about…
PET scan and biopsies
Have any of you had MRI that shows abnormality near where original cancer was, then a biopsy that is negative, and weeks later PET scan and MRI still light in that area. So..gotta go for another biopsy so ENT surgeon can remove more tissue???? Treatment was 8 months ago. So very confusing with these tests.
Just Diagnosed - SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA - Tonsil
I had covid back in January of 2022 right after I had facial paralysis then noticed a lump in my neck all within 3 months Jan-April. Went to E.R. for facial paralysis. They said it wasnt stroke. Ran CT Scan on me with dye, didnt see anything. Face returned to normal within few weeks. Doctor said the lump in my neck was…
G tube or no G tube?
Hello all - it has been a while since I posted. My husband is currently in treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary (found in RT lymph node). He is 3.5 weeks in (17 of 30 rads complete) and 4 of 6 chemo treatments completed. He hasn’t really been able to eat much for a week now. I can barely get him to…
wmc (Bill) An Honored and Respected Member Of Our H&N Group Has Passed
wmc (Bill) An Honored and Respected Member Has Passed Please remember Bills family in your prayers. Rest In Peace Bill It is with great sadness that I pass on this information. I know it is a bit late but I just found out about it. Bill was always a great inspiration and example to me showing me to never give up hope and…
Minor Salivary gland cancer palate
I am brand new here. I had a 1 cm polymorphous adenocarcinoma tumor removed from my rear left hard palate almost 2 weeks ago. I first noticed it as a tingling on my palate 8 months ago. Then I noticed a painless swelling. I thought it would go away on its own because bumps in the mouth often do. 3 months later I showed my…
Swallowing issues
Hello everyone. I was diagnosed with HPV throat cancer and have recently completed 34 radiation treatments and 7 chemo treatments. I’m almost 5 weeks out of treatment. Over the last couple of weeks I have started having some swallowing problems. Liquid tries to go up my nose when swallowing and having trouble swallowing…
Help with nutrition to get rid of the G tube
I am finished with my radiation treatments and still have my G tube for nutrition. It has been 3 weeks since my last treatment and I am slowly getting taste back....just sweet on the tip of the tongue. I have experimented with a few things which didn't end up well. I have found out that I can eat scrambled eggs, with a…
Larynginal cancer , after 35 radiation treatments ---- when's the pain stop
So 48 and lost my voice last November , fast Fwd April and I find out ! Months of my ears ringing like a dog whistle just stoped , n a week later the residual pain came , w vengeance , 35 radiation treatments n that all hit me , tired sickly melted throat , went from 175# to 138# ! First 3 weeks were the worst .. I'm 2…
D-Limonene Clinical Trial for Xerostomia
Hello Friends: I was diagnosed with HNSCC P16+/HPV cancer in January. Completed 70/56 Gy (RT only) on April 13, 2021. With the permission of my medical team. I decided to replicate the following clinical trial (minus the Chemo which I did not require) that is ongoing at Stanford during my treatment. It is very, very early,…
Left tonsil and left lymph node.
Hi I have just been diagnosed (4days ago) with cancer in my left tonsil and left lymph node. I am 56 and reasonably fit and well. In general I did not have any symptoms to speak off (still don’t) until the lump in my neck appeared at the beginning of June. I saw the dr after 14 days as the lump had not gone and he put in…
New to the group
Hello, My husband was diagnosed with Stage IV oral cancer. He had surgery in August and came home from hospital last week. I am his fulltime caregiver and I am struggling - tube feeds, medications, mental wellness are all a challenge. He is to start radiation and chemo next week to get what the surgery could not. I am…
New Here, just finished treatment
I’m a 49 y/o male that was diagnosed with a large mass at base of tongue in April of 2022. It all started with severe pain in the right ear in September of 2021 .I was told by several different urgent care Dr’s that it was fluid in my ear, a severe ear infection and allergies. I ultimately made an appointment with a ENT Dr…
New caregiver here - looking for some encouragement and advice!
Hi all - my name is Michaelene and my husband, Michael (yes, we are Michael and Michaelene), just got diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (right lymph node). Only symptom was a swollen lymph node, but the biopsy has confirmed it. He did a contrast CT scan yesterday and they don't see any other tumors and…
Anyone use medical marijuana?
Two years after my surgery for BOT HPV-related tongue cancer, and a full neck dissection/took 63 nodes, I'm dealing with chronic neck discomfort. Been examined thoroughly by my ENT, surgeon and radiation oncologist, had a CAT scan and multiple larngoscopies, no one's been able to ID any malignant cause of the…
LitlCJdoll (Crystal) An Honored and Dear Member Has Passed.
Obituary Link Below-There is a short tribute video below the obituary-very nice- It is with great sorrow that I bring this news to the Head & Neck group. LitlCJdoll (Crystal) has passed on September 12, 2022 She was a true warrior in her battle with cancer and a staunch supporter of others here on the forum. She had…
Would appreciate info from the experienced
I'm 73, had TORS for a new SCC right tonsil in May of 2022 along with radical neck dissection for carotid ligations. Did "OK" in the weeks following TORS then had 30 IMRT's in July/Aug. I have to mention too that I was diagnosed in 2007 w/SCC left tonsil and lymph nodes resulting in CISPLATIN weekly chemo concurrent with…
Post Tx Follow up schedule / PET vs CT / too many doc's & different opinions.
This is a bit complicated. I received my rad & chemo at Peace Health - St. Joe's in Bellingham Wa. I am followed by a surgeon at a 2nd place in Bellingham, Wa. (had my Tors / neck surgery in Seattle with a different surgeon). Finished treatments in early Dec 2021. PET in early April was NED & CT done yesterday was NED. My…
Been a while
Haven’t visited for a while but need some suggestions. I can’t seem to gain weight….due to my head and neck radiation my esophagus is about the size of a drinking straw. Im at about 155 and just can’t seem to increase my weight. I’ve had a total of 13 EGD procedures with basically no improvement I have difficulty…
mask for radiation...?
Ive read many people referring to a mask used for radiation. Is that used for all types of Cancers diagnoses or only specific ones? Certain types of radiation also? Mom has unknown primary, to my understanding they most likely are going to radiate " all over" in common head and neck locations. thanks, just wondering trying…
What A Difference a Day Makes-New Situation
I had a sore neck on the same side as previous lymph cancer August 30th. I let it go about 5 days and it got better but didn't go away. Knowing my past cancer history I didn't wait any longer. I had an upcoming ENT appointment and I made it sooner. I Asked if I should get a scan before the appointment. They set me up with…
HPV- SCC spread to lungs
2018 I had a SCC tumor on the base of my tounge. No sugery just radiation and chemo. June scans, and last week biopsy came back positive in both sides of my lungs. I have no symptoms yet. Looking for guidance/hope, and info to base decision making on. I do not always take what the oncologist says as gospel. Thanks

Head and Neck Cancer

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