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Head and Neck Cancer

Second Opinions
My 77 year old father has been diagnosed with squamous cancer. There is a tumor on the left side of his neck (about the size of a golf ball). His history is 63 years as a heavy smoker (he quit 3 weeks ago), daily drinker with dentures. He just had major lung surgery two weeks ago as they saw a spot in his PET scan (they…
Lack of Taste and Swelling, Dry Tongue
I have noticed that the feeling of dehydration (swollen tongue, dry mouth and blah feeling) along with loss (change) of taste is a common theme for those that have had chemo and\or radiation. Is anyone else experiencing the same problems that have only had surgery? I had my 4th surgery on my tongue, the last bringing a…
Swelling at Surgery site
Hello..I am new to this site, it has taken me a while to find a support site. I have been out of Rad and Chemo for 6 weeks now, I still have a peg as the new half tongue is still not working properly, but my question is about the swelling under my chin and on my neck. I have been told it is normal and to massage it a few…
New & Scared, Help Please
Hi: First of all, I want to say that I am soooo glad that I found this site. Its sucks to be alone w/this. Anyhow, I had tongue cancer. I had surgery 5/30, removed about 1/3 of the tongue and neck dissection. I have having abou 30 treatments of radiation and 3 chemo, rad everyday and chemo every 21 days. The chemo is…
Why don't you ask me about my PET scan?
Fantastic news. I had my 6 month scan this past Monday and it came back cancer free, full body. Not even any sign of previous radiation therapy "leftovers". All clear. Thank God, modern medicine, my wife, my support group and great Docs/Nurses. JK
Treatment failed!
Please I need your feedback. I was diagnosed Feb 15th with Squamous Cell Carcinoma stage 2b of the Nasopharynx (see message of April 9). Tumour less than 1 cm with one right side lymph node involved (removed). I finished radio (33 treatments) with Cisplatin in May 2007 and Cisplatin+5FU in August 2007. Here is what…
A Rare Cancer of the Trachea
Hello Everyone. I am the caregiver of a cancer patient. My husband had major surgery in Nov. 2006 to remove a tumor from his trachea and thyroid (Adnoid Cystic Carcinoma). The doctor performed a trachea re-section. He had 6 weeks of radiation after that but no chemo. I was wondering if anyone on this site has had this type…
Thanks so Much !!!!
Thank heavens for this web site and all you folks on here!!! Have seen all the drs. now and the radiologist yesterday. They are moving fast and that's good. Mon. get the mega dose of Erbatux, Tue. the mask and mapping, and feeding tube asap.Then the 6th I get another dose of Erbatux and first Rad. treatment Thanks to you…
Will the Dry mouth be permanent?
Hey Ya'll, My Husband has stage IV HNC right tonsil. We are getting ready to have 35 rad treatments with three cisplatin. He is curious at how many people have permanent salivary gland damange? Will the dry mouth be for the rest of his life or will some of it return. We are getting the PEG tube in before we start…
victor update thanks for asking
I just finished my 6 weeks of chemo Erbitux Carboplatin and Taxol now i ve got a 2 week rest, Next week they make my mask then 7 weeks of radiation plus chemo. My giant lemonsized lymphnode seems to have shrunk a bit with the chemo . I handled the chemo very well week 2 erbitux acne rash got bad but the antibacterial cream…
Hardening of the throat region
I would like to know if anyone has any suggestions to help my mother. She was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Cancer of the tongue about 2 years ago. She underwent several rounds of radiation and chemo. She still has all the symptoms I have read about on this site ie: difficulty in swallowing, dry mouth, etc. But I have not…
Newly Diagnosed.. Looking for Words of Wisdom
My mother was just diagnosed w/ tonsil cancer. She appears to be state 2 w/ some in her nodes. She is going to start intensive radiation (2x a day for 2 weeks), then chemo and then surgery to remove the nodes. I live at a 3 hour distance. I'm trying to anticipate the days ahead - any suggestions, helpful hints, words of…
Nutritional Supplement Help-Mouth, Neck Cancer
First time on here...and looking for some help for my dad. About a year ago he found out he had a tumor under his tongue. They removed the tumor and did a neck dissection to rebuild the floor of his mouth. The cancer came back and the second time around they placed a titanium plate with a few screws in the floor of his…
Floor of the mouth cancer
I was wondering if anyone has had this. My mom had neck dissection surgery taking a bone from her leg to re-create the jaw, and skin from her thigh to re-create the floor of the mouth. She had so many complications after the surgery (she's 76 & 83 pounds) with infections, etc. it took 5 months to get back to surgeons and…
chemo drugs alternatives?
i begin chemo and radiation on july 28. i am to be recieving a drug called cisplatin. any advise from anyone on how to get through this? also did anyone recieve any other drug than this that was effective. i am 46 and have stage 4 tonsil cancer which metastisized to a lymph node in my neck. i had the lymph node removed and…
Salivary Gland Cancer/Hard Palate
Symptoms began with a lump in the roof of my mouth. Started out the size of my thumb nail and then started growing. This began around September, 2003. Went to the doctor in early October to an ENT specialist; who did a biopsy of the lump and then it really got aggrevated and filled up the whole top of my mouth. Of course…
Hi - I am new and would like to see how others are doing that were diagonised with cancer
Hi, I have been searching for a while to find a place to talk to other people who have been going through or have gone through chemo and radiation for head and neck cancer. Seems as thought most people on here have not talked for a while - if there are other survivors or others going through this please answer _ i have…
Post operative broblems with jaw
I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in Feb. of 2004, had a radical neck dissection in Mar. 2004, had 33 radiation treatments, last one being 06/20/2004. I haven't had any further problems with the cancer since the treatment. I now have a problem with my left jaw. My Doctor tells me that the radiation treatment…
HPV Question
When I was initially diagnosed with base of tongue cancer, my doctor asked about smoking and alcohol abuse. He never mentioned HPV. I was not aware of HPV as being a cause of oral cancers, even after my chemotherapy and radiation. Now, several months later, I ask my doctor if HPV was a factor in my cancer. he said they…
throat cancer
HI Everyone: My sister has been diagnosed with T3 N0 M0 squamous cell cancer of the throat. I have gotten all the information I can from her. She was a bit dazed today at her doctors and didn't retain a lot of the more terminological sounding details. In October 2008 she started having problems with her voice. She and her…
Claustraphobic and Anxiety prone
Assume I will need a "mask" during IMRT. Hopefully not, but if so need tips on dealing with claustraphobia and anxiety. Have Attivan, but prefer not to take it if possible. Your thoughts?
Feeding Tube In
Thanks to those who responded to my concerns on having a feeding tube. I had surgery 2 weeks ago. Because of previous stomach surgery mine was a little more involved and required removing adhesions etc but the tube is in and functional. The best thing is I am finally at home! I have been taking feedings at night using a…
My beautiful husband, ....Has stage IV nasopharyngeal cancer...very long post
Tom is everything to me. We met in a rehab/treatment center (he was there for DUI and I was there to clean up from I-V drug use addiction).....they told us we would never stay together. That was 3 kids and 15 years ago. He has been my strength, my joy, my world for all these years...thru my many relapses and a mental…
Scared of Radiation
First time here, looking for comfort and sdvice. I had a golf ball size tumor removed from my left cheek October 2006. I was told it was an uncommon tumor call Hemangiopericytoma. Having this in my cheek makes me only the second person in the United States and I feel like I hit a brick wall everywhere I go. I have been to…
My throat cancer
I was diagnosed in Jan 2009 with throat cancer. My drs advised me to have chemo once a week and radiation 5 days a week. The chemo was for 7 weeks and the radiation was for 8 weeks. The 37th day of radiation was the end because my neck on the outside looked like someone used a blowtorch on me. It was red, then black and I…
Hair Regrowth
Yes, I know, I have lots of questions! You can tell by the other posts I have on here. One month ago, my husband completed his 7 rounds of chemo and 35 radiation treatments to the neck area. Prior to treatments he had a beard. Does anyone have any idea if the facial hair will grow back? Also, how long does it normally take…
Tonsil Cancer
Thanks soccerfreaks I will give this a try. I use computers at work and to send e-mails but I have never tried this before. Heck of a reason to start. I am told my cancer is in stage one and I discovered it when my lymph node swelled up so it is in two locations. I never felt pain or discomfort (until the diagnosis…
Learning To Eat Again For Dummies
I finished my 6 Chemo, 36 radiation treatments for Neck Cancer 10 months ago. They could not find the Primary in my neck so they did the whole neck area both sides. the last 12 Radiation treatments where twice a day. I'm still stuck on the Feeder overnight from 8 pm - 6 am and now forcing myself to drink one Ensure during…
THE TUBE
CAN SOME ONE EXPLANE HOW THE FEEDIN TUBE WORKS.. I DONT HAVE IT YET , BUT THE DOC KEEPS THREATING ME WITH IT... I LOST 5 POUNDS THIS WEEK SO I GUESS IM GETTIN CLOSE .. CAN YOU STILL EAT WITH THIS TUBE. ARE HOW DOES THIS WORK
Throat pain
I finished radiation Dec 12 and I am still having a lot of throat pain. The tips on dry throat at night will help, but how long until the pain gets easier?

Head and Neck Cancer

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