ASAP Please

Surgery after treatments
rmowery,

I'll try to answer your questions and I am sure others will follow when they check in.

First, yes to the surgery after treatments. The healing does take longer. I was told that it could take twice as long after the radiation only because the DNA in the tissues radiated react differently now. I had my surgery first because of that. But each case is different. Your cancer Team may have thought it best to radiate first to reduce the size of the mass as you have indicated, it is now half the size it was before treatment.

Second, I had a Radical neck disection which involved the removal of many lymphnodes and the SCM muscle. The Modified, may not require the removal of any muscles and will work in your husband's favor as far as neck movement in the future. The side effects of any neck disection may vary and in most cases can be taken care of with some Physical therapy and gentle massages for the movement of the lymphnode system to move the fluids that may build up around the face and neck afterwards. This does not happen to each patient, just making mention of it for you in case it does happen and you can be aware of it.

Shout out your questions and there are plenty of knowledgable people here to help answer them.

My Best to Both of You and Everyone Here

rmowery8699 said:

Surgery After Treatments
Thank you so much for your reply. I so appreciate the information.
The report showed that the suv level had decreased from 7.8 to 4.7. Isn't that just the activity level of the cancer opposed to being the size of the mass?

Yes, after treatments
They did my neck dissection after the rads and chemo. This is often the case that they want to kill just as much as possible and, as others said, shrink as much as possible, before going in. In my case they waited two months from the end of treatment before surgery to give the skin a chance to heal and also to do the needed scans before surgery. You have to stop glowing before they can scan you. Don't worry about this aspect of it.

Nearly three months post-dissection I am lucky to have nearly total healing there and near-total movement of the head and neck. I just played a hockey game last night, in fact. I admit that I am very lucky and somewhere on the top end for recovery. Your mileage may vary, alas.

Doug

D Lewis said:

Stanford
My Doctor at Stanford, Chief of the Head/Neck Surgical Oncology Department, told me that my treatment would be chemo/rads first, and "salvage surgery" afterwards and only if anything remained to be surgically removed. In my case, chemo/rads took care of everything. I'm one year out, and so far, no masses left, and no hot spots left. So, I'm thinking it is not so unusual to be prescribed the chemo and rads prior to any surgery. It's probably based on the preference of the individual doctor.

Deb

Same as DLewis
I am exactly like Deb, Rads and chemo for base of tongue, with 2 lymph nodes on left side of neck. I was to have "clean up" surgery if necessary also, but it was not necessary. I had a sizeable "hot" spot 3 months after treatment, but it had shrunk quite a bit. Now at 13 months after treatment I am clear on the PET scan and am considered to be "NED". Keep the faith as the rads and chemo can do a lot of healing by themselves so the need for surgery is negated. Best of luck to you. Keep the faith.
Steve

tnsilcncer said:

Neck dissection
Well, I can't offer advice because I'm not far enough out to tell you what to expect, only let you know that I'll pray for you guys. I finished 33 radiations and 2 chemos on February 18th and go for a selective right neck dissection on May 17th. I will post on here how it turns out and what I experienced so maybe that will help? Anyway, hugs and prayers!

Karen

May 17th
Karen, my family and will keep you in our prayers for tomorrow!