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Head and Neck Cancer

Extreme congestion
I had a total larngectomy about a year ago. I have had the typical runny nose but as of late the congestion has become severe. Major headache and really stuffy. I've been using OTC congestion meds. No relief. Anyone have something they have found that works?
My Uncle
My uncle battled throat cancer about seven years ago. He was fine until about four months ago. He started with a hoarse voice, so he headed to the doctors. It seems that his cancer is back and worse then ever. He is being moved to a hospice and is not expected to come out. I am very depressed about this whole situation. I…
Nasopharynx Cancer
My father-in-law was diagnosed w/this cancer. He is currently undergoing chemo therapy treatments for the next 3 months. I am wondering if there are any precautions that should be taken while cleaning up after him? I have "heard" that many chemo patients are advised to not sleep next to their spouse until treatments are…
shingles- whats going on!?
i had esophageal cancer and went through chemo and surgery. now i get tests done every 4-5 months. i suddenly got this burning rash and terrible back pains. the pain was worse than anything, including cancer, that i ever experienced. i was diagnosed with shingles and given heavy doses of codiene. i was told that this is…
CyberKnife. New Hope
If you have been told that you have an inoperable tumor(s), please look into CyberKnife, This new treatment is painless, non-invasive, no side-effects, no frame required radiation surgery that is allowing previously inoperable tumors to be treated. For more info, go to www.cksociety.org. I do not work for CyberKnife or any…
squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue
I am 27 years old and I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue on Feb.6,2003. At the time I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with my second daughter. I have never smoked. chewed tobacco, etc.. I wasn't a risk candidate. This all started out as an ulcer under my tongue 3 months before! My ENT dr. decided to wait…
thick saliva
Hello, It has been four months from tongue recontruction surgery. The flap has schrunk and has a provided a gap between the teeth and the new tongue for fulids to puddle. All treatments are finished, no chemo (neg nodes!) but I did complete six weeks of radiation thearpy. This has created salivia with a rubber consistancy.…
Head and Neck Success Stories
I'd like to start a thread on people that have good experiences and advice to share with others. I am 5 years removed from radiation and neck dissection for squamos cell carcinoma in the tonsil and lymph nodes in the neck. Went through all the struggles of feeding tube, getting over pain meds, eating, swallowing etc... I…
CyberKnife. New Hope
If you have been told that you have an inoperable tumor(s), please look into CyberKnife, This new treatment is painless, non-invasive, no side-effects, no frame required radiation surgery that is allowing previously inoperable tumors to be treated. For more info, go to www.cksociety.org. I do not work for CyberKnife or any…
anyone using salagen?
My rad-onc has offered me salagn to preserve salivary gland functioning during/after rad therapy, but his experience with it is mixed. Has anyone tried it?
Cerebrospinal fluid leak from ear
I had nasopharyngeal carcinoma (stage IV - T2N3) in 2002, and I completed induction chemotherapy and IMRT radiation in 2003. I've done well since. Now I have a cerebrospinal fluid leak from my right ear. I have suffered no head trauma so I suppose the insult to my dura is probably from the radiation. Anyone else experience…
Others with Parotid tumor and cancer
If you or someone close is dealing with Parotid tumors or cancer, you might like to visit a community of others in the same situation. The site "Parotid Hope" (www.parotidhope.com) has user forums and chat rooms where you can share, learn and connect. Hope this helps.
Thyroid damage from radiation treatment
I am recovering from radition treatments to the throat and neck area. My Doctor now tells me that I have some throid damage from the treatment and my thyroid is only functioning at about 70%. Has anyone else expierienced this and what can I expect.
nasopharyngeal cancer stage 4
my husband was diagnosed in sept 2004 with nasopharyngeal cancer stage 4. he has finished his first treatment of radiation/chemo. he still needs to have more chemo which we are told is going to be like a life insurance policy. however as my husbands weight has dropped drematically they will only consider this if he gains…
Finally eating fairly well
I still don't have saliva...but have managed to learn how to swallow with only a small amount of liquid. My taste is back to around 80% and I can eat hot and spicey foods! I actually have an appetite! That's the good news. It' the steroid I am on...the bad new...the steroid is for the mass they found in my brain a week…
How long to swallow
My husband diagnosed with a type of throat cancer wherein they performed surgery and 35 treatments of radiation. During and since the radiation, he's been having extreme difficulty swallowing. It's been 3 weeks since the last radiation treatment. Can people who have had radiation to the throat/tonsil/neck area let us know…
Showwing Support
I just wanted to let everyone know I found an ebay store that sells awareness products for all types of cancers. I have bought their window decals and mailing labels for melenoma and was very pleased. The site address is http://www.ebaystores.com/idc-design?refid=store If anyone knows of any other souces please let me…
excessive phlegm production five years past radiation
am writing this for my 79 year old father because he has a hernia and cannot sit for long. He had radiation which successfully stopped (inadequate word, I know) his throat cancer in 2000. Immediately after the radiation, his body started producing excessive amounts of mucus, which, along with the scarring (affecting the…
1 Month Post Radiation - Larynx
I am a 44 year male diagnosed with T1 Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the left Vocal Chord. Non Smoker - occassional wine drinker. Initial ENT thought it was a wart. 99% Certain it was not cancer. Ooops Wrong. They removed it surgically thinking it was a wart. Followed this up 6 weeks later with 28 radiation treatments. My…
my boyfriend needs help
My boyfriend has been dealing with his cancer very well. He eats, and takes care of himself and thankfully he hasn't been getting too sick anymore. He doesn't want me to tell people this, because he doens't want people to know of his problems. But as a cancer patient, he is alwaysa t the doctor. he has no time for a job,…
mouth ulcers away!
I finally found something for my dad's ulcers (esophageal cancer). It is A little known old medicine that is available over the counter at some pharmacies called Debacterol. It is marked for canker sores but it worked terrific on dad's oral sores. It comes in a real simple prefilled Qtip applicator. Anybody could do it. I…
Phlegm
6 wks after radiation treatments my husband still has a lot of phlegm. Now he has thrush which makes it even worse. Has anyone found a simple way to reduce it ?
fistula
My husband had his voice box removed last december he was doing well until he developed these fistulas they have had to put the feeding tube back in and he has to use a suction machine to suction the stuff out of the fistula. Dr's say that if he does not heal they may have to do skin grafts. anyone has any info?
speach/swallowing therapy
Hello, I have undergone reconscrutive surgery of my tongue because of cancer. It has been 4 months and I am cancer free and completed radiation therapy. I have two problems. First, I have very thick saliva and a lot of it. Does anyone have any sugestions to help with this problem. I am working again and this is very…
Concerns about nutritional value from feeding tube products?
While they may work well for most people, the Novartis products that were prescribed for me I found wanting. I have seen on other forums that many have concerns about the nutritional value of these canned feeds. For me they were almost toxic. I felt sick from them. They were my only source of nourishment so I had to find…
Tracheosophageal Voice Prosthesis
I have had surgery and my voice box removed. Today was the last of the 34 radiation treatments. I was just trying to get some imformation on this procedour. I haven't heard anyones voice that has had it done. I guess i am asking the pros and cons of it. Thank you and if anybody has any questions for me, i would be happy to…
otopharyngeal dysplagia
My husband now has otopharyngeal dysplagia caused by the radiation, s/p throat CA. We are unable to find out what can be done to help him. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
need information on locked jaw from cancer
I am new on this board and am looking for anyone with information regarding a lock jaw as a result from tonsil cancer. I would like to hear from anyone that can relate to this problem and if anyone recovered from the condition.
recovering jaw function
Can anyone help me get more information about exercise devices or therapies that will help me recover strength and movement in my jaw. I have completed a very vigorous regime of radiation and chemotherapy on a base of tongue cancer.
What foods taste good?
I had surgery for stage 4 squamos cell cancer in my throat (and removal of approx 50 lymph nodes) on June 28th. I had my 33rd, and final, radiation treatment on 15 October. My salivary glands aren't working and neither is the "Salagen" I am taking to help produce "spit". Most foods taste horrible, but I keep…

Head and Neck Cancer

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