Radiation how will it affect my tongue repair

JF22,

I had surgery to my neck and BOT, prior to my wonderful 7 weeks of pin point radiation treatment. I went for the deluxe package and shot the works.  Everywhere the PET scan lit up, we zapped (except in my back door, that was something else).  My tongue enjoyed the vacation from eating and recovered well.  All acknowledgements from my ENT have been positive for how fine my base of tongue looks (It is beautiful).

Therefore, I declare no ill effects from rads on my surgery to my tongue.  Now my brain, that is a different story.

Tongue at ease,

Matt

Jackflash22,

I agree with the others about the radiation. I was told by my Radiation Oncologist that it is better to have the surgery first and then the radiation as the DNA changes and the healing process increases. When is your Radiation scheduled? My radiation started roughly 8 weeks after my surgery and I did pretty good in the healing part prior to the Rad's. 

Our necks get red from the radiation and the RO wanted to make sure my neck was healed enough not to damage it any more then the Disection did.

My Best to You and Everyone Here

jackflash22 said:

Radiation

I have to have IMRT which I've been told targets the cancer every time the rays cross but only hit the healthy tissues once, it goes around you in a circle flashing out these rays, ans crossing over the bad bit...very clever, it's very effective on head and neck. you probably have had it in USA a lot longer than UK. The government has just given the NHS a grant of £30 million to supply other hospitals. I,m lucky with where I live the John Radcliffe Hospital, the Nuffield and the Churchill hospitals are teaching hospital and all have the top of the range treatments and clinical trials. They are all close to each other and specialise in different fields. This is in Oxford. I live about a half hour drive away. I'm still not happy with the mask but know its to keep me perfectly still so the rays hit the spot. 

I have to have IMRT which I've been told targets the cancer every time the rays cross but only hit the healthy tissues once, it goes around you in a circle flashing out these rays, ans crossing over the bad bit...very clever, it's very effective on head and neck. 

Jackie,

That is the general theory of how the latest IMRT hardware and software tools work. In practice, the mapping does contour and alter the beam concentration to the areas needing it the most - i.e. the tumors and nodes. However, the radiation will also be "painted" over much of the general area around the tumors to ensure any cancers are fully destroyed. I was told a minimum of 5300 grays were given to all areas and 6500 and 7300 grays to areas needing more rads. 

For example, even if your partoids and tongue look good they are likely going to get 5300, so that is why most have taste and saliva issues even though the tumors may be a distance from these areas. 

The beam can be directed to precise locations but will still "spill" out rads behind the area where the gun is focused. It is a 3D mapping so they will try to point it in ways to avoide other critical organs and such but the rads clearly shoot ahead and behind the concentrated area. That is why everyone ends up with that burnt sunburn thing. The rad beam is entering and exiting your neck area and burning "good" flesh. 

A number of folks also have dental gaurds or blocks for similar reasons - to get your teeth out of the way of the radiation as much as possible. Make sure to ask about protecting your teeth and also parotid glands if possible.

jackflash22 said:

schedule

My rad starts in about three weeks. I had the op on the 8th July. Thats what about 9 weeks. I do and don't want to get started because the sooner I start the sooner its over. I'd rather get it done and dusted before the winter sets in..dark mornings, dark evenings, cold foggy and dank. good old UK. I get the downers in winter unles its a crisp sunny day. Even in the summer my mood changes if its dull and cloudy. I like lots of light maybe I will glow in the dark after rad. 

When I've got something crappy coming down the pike, I want to get on it, and get passed it....don't blame you , either....for wanting it done before winter comes and it's always dark, cold, and wet.  Getting this done in the fall, winter to heal in....when spring arrives, you'll be feeling you entered a whole new world....beautiful, sunny, warm....and it smells so good!

p