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Immunotherapy and Keytruda
My mother was recently diagnosed with a recurrence of her jaw tumor. This time it's floor of the mouth, localized. We went through double mandibulectomy and fibula free flap, chemo and rads the first time two years ago. This time, she is starting treatment with Keytruda and her oncologist is very optimistic. I did not see…
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6.5 weeks after last radiation treatment
Hey folks, I have not been on here in a while. I went through some unfreaking real hell at week 6 through week 8. I know everybody is getting different sorts of treatment but I was an MD Anderson patient so I had 33 radiation treatments and I only made six out of seven chemo treatments. It is now 6 and 1/2 weeks after the…
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limited range of motion - right arm
i had surgery last August, TORS on the tongue and removal of 21 lymph nodes in my right neck. completed chemo & rads early december. i've noticed in the past 5-6 weeks or so that i can't raise my right arm straight up - pointing to the ceiling. best i can do is have it come level to the floor, pointing to the wall. there…
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Chemo and Immunotherapy for life
My husband's new cancer(s) have been deemed to be inoperable as the surgeries would not be beneficial without the ability to have radiation. He had the lifetime max of radiation in 2016. He will be taking part in a study at Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis, MO. He will have chemo and an immunotherapy drug for the rest of…
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Dematologist soon after Radiation?
I was wondering if any of you started to notice new moles, spots on their necks real soon after radiation treatment? It's only been a month and a half since my treatment ended and I can feel spots that weren't there. I feel as though I need to get seen by a dermatologist. Did anyone else notice this so soon? Where I live…
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When to use Biotene, when to use salt & soda rinse...
I guess I need a little clarification from you guys that have already done it. I am fixing to start my seventh week of treatment and I am just now getting the sore-ish throat and tongue. Really my tongue hurts more than my throat. I had stopped using the biotene a while back, because it didn't really seem to work to well -…
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HPV16+ SCC diagnosis - is chemo really necessary?
My husband was diagnosed with HPV16+SCC in Nov. 2021 and had surgery Dec. 2021. Tissue (and tumor) removed from the base of his tongue, plus neck dissection and 6 nodes removed (w/extensions). He will soon begin radiation treatments on both sides of his neck, but the rad doctor told him chemo may not be effective on his…
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Hey Everyone. I'm new here
I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Pete, I'm 46 and last Thursday, I was diagnosed with cancer on my tongue. I've felt pretty alone through everything so far as I don't have much family around me. On Friday, I had a CT scan to see if the cancer spread to my lymph nodes or lungs. On the 18th, I'm having the rest of the…
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Oral Radiation & Metal Fillings
I was diagnosed and successfully treated for a SCC on the base of my tongue and tonsil wall about 3.5 years ago. I had 33 radiation treatments. About a year later, I had two molars extracted in the "ground zero" area of the radiation and promptly developed osteoradionecrosis. The ORN has made the cancer seem like a picnic.…
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Questions from you folks with experience
Hi, im having a few problems since my surgery. I had a SCC stage 1 tumor removed from the bottom of my mouth in September. Then found out I had precancerous cells scattered elsewhere under the floor of my mouth. So I was told that there was a 95% chance I would have no problems because it was caught so fast. Then I agreed…
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Cetuximab aka Erbitux
Does anyone have experience with Cetuximab for Head and Neck Cancer? My husband has tried three studies and each study failed him. Now Cetuximab alone is being offered. I don't know if it alone can help which is why I'm looking specifically for H & N cancer patients on Cetuximab alone. He has been told he will be on…
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Pharyngoesophageal Stenosis - Long term effect of chemo radiation
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teeth
Had my first teeth xrays since finishing my Tonsil Cancer treatment last September. I was a little nervous after reading all the possible issues with teeth after radiation. Dentist said all looks excellent with no decay and gums look perfect. My treatment consisted of 35 rads (70 greys to right side and 54 greys to left…
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Foul smell during radiation
I am in my first week of treatment for Stage II nasopharynx cancer. Everytime during IMRT radiation, I notice a pungent and foul odor. I haven't smelled it before, however, I can best describe it as trash / burning blood. I have asked the docs and the attendants about it. I haven't gotton any reasonable explanation. The…
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Throat cancer?
My throat has been like this for awhile (first noticed in august) but I chalked it up to dental problems. I also have swollen lymph nodes.
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Biopsy confirms Tonsil Cancer HP16 positive
Well, even though I “knew” it is still a gut punch. I have read up on tonsil cancer and have a good idea of what is to come but I’m still scared and anxious. So the next step appears to be PET scan then, Off to the Races!
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Methylprednisolone during H&N recovery?
Hey everyone was prescribed methylprednisolone for the coming hell of week 6. I never took it until week 9 starting on Superbowl Sunday. I think this was the magic bullet for my quick improvement. Has anyone here taken a round around my recovery time and if so what happened when it wore off?
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How to wean off feeding tube - or when can I eat real food?
I’m really tired of my feeding tube but I can’t seem to find enough food that I’m able to eat. Basically, (and I realize many of you have been here), if it’s not wet it’s not going down my throat! Today marks four months (17weeks, 3days)since my last radiation treatment for BOT Cancer. My mouth was on fire with swelling…
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Has anyone tried hyperthermia treatments?
Trying to find out if anyone has experience with hyperthermia treatments. Thanks.
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Interesting Article
In Pdf form from the American Cancer Society here is something some of you may find interesting and it is pretty extensive. There is a menu showing topics on the left side. Cancer Treatment & Survivorship Facts & Figures 2019-2021 There are parts covered that I think would be of interest to those starting treatment and…
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late check in for 2022 almost 10 years since diagnosis
hello to old and new friends....want to let those recently diagnosed, that this cancer is not only survivable, but beatable too. I got my diagnosis of Squamous cell carcinoma, small tumor on rt tonsil, metastasized to lt. Standard chemo with cisplaitin, and radiation. I had immediate permanent severe hearing loss with…
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using cpap after neck surgery
greetings all. i'm glad to have found this site and am just starting out. Dx'd with Squamous Cell - HPV +. Lymph node just below my right jaw joint is swollen. Scans and visual can not find a primary. On 8/24/21 i have surgery, TORS for base of tounge where they think their maybe a microscopic primary and regualr sugery…
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Newly diagnosed cancer patients: Questions to ask your health care team
Very good info from MD Anderson Cancer Center BY Rosemary Catallo Patients and their families often come into The Learning Center, where I work as a librarian, to seek information. After interacting with people for many years -- and from reviewing the large amount of information we have access to here --I've come to…
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New Tongue Cancer Diagnosis
Hello all, In early December 2021 I was diagnosed with INVASIVE SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA, MODERATELY DIFFERENTIATED. So began the journey. PET/CT, then MRI, met with Surgeon and other Oncology teams later in December 2021. Became part of a new Immunotherapy Study at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore in January 2021. I have had 2…
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Best way to get crushed pills down G-tube into stomach
Had a G-tube installed 5 days ago with scant advice on feeding going forward. Had told them I had a FT for 17 months 10+ years ago, so maybe they figured I knew it all. NO. I was able to swallow chopped-up pills during my initial tx. But now, swallowing them is a coin toss as to whether or not they go down the right pipe.…
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End of week 6...miserable
Well I finally got hit with the treatment **** storm. When you layer 6 visits of chemo right on top of 33 radiation visits you finally are crushed under the treatment by week 6. I've been very lucky not to have scorching throat pain until now. I cannot swallow any smoothies because the nutrients stick to the burned areas…
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Will I ever swallow again?
Hello, I have to preface this with the fact that I am fighting the poor me's. I finished treatments March 8th and I started seeing a speach therapist for swallowing therapy. I feel like I will never be able to swallow again. If I drink anything thin like water it goes down my airway, anything thicker even soft peaches cut…
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Nausea help
I’m new to discussion boards but I really need to talk with others who have gone through nasal sinus radiation. I have been nauseous with headaches since I’ve started. I’ve had 21 treatments so far and it’s only getting worse. My doctor is saying that my radiation will not cause nausea. He is saying it’s either anxiety or…
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Be careful on this website
It’s the internet and there are scammers. Just a word of caution to keep information secure. If someone wants to send you a Christmas card or asks for your phone number think twice.
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Diagnosis Complete (95%) - Chemo/Rad Starting Next Week - Yikes!
Well its been interesting so far...to say the least I am 60 yrs young and hate going to the doctor to the point that I just dont go...rarely....unless I notice/feel something is Doctor worthly wrong. Lo and behold late June/21 I noticed 3 lumps on the right side of my neck and under my chin. Didnt have a Primary doctor…