Physical limitations after oral cancer

stevenpepe

After having a neck dissection with radiation, I am wondering what are my physical limitations moving forward.

Has anyone had to limit physical activities such as the gym, amusement parks, running, etc. My daughter loves roller coasters and we've become coaster buddies. But now I'm a little afraid of injuring my neck. I'm less than 3 months out of surgery so I'm avoiding rides for this year.

Another fear of mine is carotid artery issues. I can't help but think the rads are damaging the arteries in my neck and very afraid of some sort of bursting. Are my fears valid?

Barbaraek

We are at just about 1 year out

from treatment and my husband is back to playing softball, golf and tennis. The major issue is fatigue and stamina, but I think that will improve over time. They had to do radiation close to his carotid artery and no one breathed a word about bursting... they use compute models and risk ratio equations to help determine exactly how much radiation to deliver to specific areas, so it's tailored to you and your tumor...pretty amazing stuff. If you have concerns, discuss them with your docs - that's one of the reasons that they're there. A disclaimer though - we didn't have surgery since it was not an option for us.

best,

Barbara

LiseA

I had neck dissection and 39

I had neck dissection and 39 lymph nodes removed. MDA asked me to take part in a study for patients who are having one side of neck irradiated to see if there are any changes or risks to carotid artery. Maybe I should have asled if they're taking any precautions to protect me from damage to carotid artery. Hadn't thought much about it. Was so fearful of radiation to begin with.

Good point about avoiding roller coasters. It's hard being in the car and having my head bump when we try to avoid one of the many holes in houston's roads!

donfoo

Many variables

Steve,

Each case is unique so one can not predict specifically the long term side effects you may experience. During my time here the majority of survivors go back to new "normals" with return to all the things as before. That is the long term side effects do not imact one's daily activities. 

I've not heard of increased vulnerabilites due to weakened neck bones. Many get tighened neck muscles due to radiation following the neck node pathwaty. ORN does affect jawnone in a very small number of instances.

The times when carotid artery issues are mentioned is usually to those with recurrence. But again it all depends on the specifics of your case but those dealing with this one is pretty rare.

wmc

I will have to agree Steve too many variables.

So in a fast answer, yes. I never had radiation, but had neck dissection on both sides, 48 removed on left and 38 on the right side. The first variable is was the radiation before of after, it does matter. Soft fresh tissue will do much better than radiated tissue. Then the big one, who was the surgeon. Yes, it does matter. I have seen many who went to top notch hospitals and they can not raise their arm past the shoulder, and had much fewer nodes removed than I did and they too never had radiation. I had section 2~5 on both sides and have no problem raising my arms. Now I will always be numb on the left side from my ear to the center of my chin, dead center. I also have some rotation limits but muscle relaxed take care of that. I could not rotate my neck as before and by taking the relaxers I can get it loose enough and I stretch it all through the day. You have so many nerves and even the Vega nerve if it just gets nicked. Really I am amazed at all the cutting I had I have any feeling. When they remove the larynx you are cut from ear to ear and it is just all lifted up over your chin and out of the way. Now it also depends on where your cancer was. There are many places, just with the term oral.

So I guess I will have to say some do and some don't have much at all. For me, I would not be above ground without it, so all is good.

Bill