squanous cell carsonma

powww2 · February 2012

My 90 year dad has been diagnosed with Squanous Cell Carsonma his inner left ear. He has been really good health until about 3 months ago, He is going to start Radiation next week, because the doctors says they can not do surgery on him. He does not want to have his teeth pulled, he only has about 5 or 6 left. Does anyone have any suggestions that might be able to help him during this process. We are going to see if the floride trays are going to work today.

longtermsurvivor · February 2012

I'm sorry to hear of this
as there are going to be very difficult times for him, and for the people around him. The problem won't be fluoride trays, it will be general disability and nutrition. You say his health was good until three months ago. What exactly is wrong with his health now, besides having SCC?

It is certainly true he wouldn't handle the radical surgery required for this disease, in its present location, at his advanced age. Depending on the radiation plan, this may prove to be pretty overwhelming as well. What exactly is being radiated? Is it the primary site only? The site and regional lymph nodes? How much of the throat is involved ( in the inner ear, they may be able to spare some of this)?

And what exactly is their plan of treatment? Cure? Paliation? Or just start the process and see how he does? What are his living arrangments? Those will likely change very quickly, as he becomes impaired from the radiation insult.

Sorry for so many queseions, but in order to give you a better idea it is helpful to know a lot more details.

Best to you.

pat

IAmStrong · February 2012

longtermsurvivor said:
I'm sorry to hear of this
as there are going to be very difficult times for him, and for the people around him. The problem won't be fluoride trays, it will be general disability and nutrition. You say his health was good until three months ago. What exactly is wrong with his health now, besides having SCC?

It is certainly true he wouldn't handle the radical surgery required for this disease, in its present location, at his advanced age. Depending on the radiation plan, this may prove to be pretty overwhelming as well. What exactly is being radiated? Is it the primary site only? The site and regional lymph nodes? How much of the throat is involved ( in the inner ear, they may be able to spare some of this)?

And what exactly is their plan of treatment? Cure? Paliation? Or just start the process and see how he does? What are his living arrangments? Those will likely change very quickly, as he becomes impaired from the radiation insult.

Sorry for so many queseions, but in order to give you a better idea it is helpful to know a lot more details.

Best to you.

pat

More information please....
Hi. I am very curious as to how they discovered his SCC of the inner ear. I myself would most definately obtain a 2nd and 3rd opinion. What prognosis did they give him without radiation? What are your Fathers wishes, his congnitive abilities etc. Sorry for the diagnosis. So much to consider. I will definately keep all of you in my prayers....

I am a caregiver for my 87 year old Father. In his current condition, I do not believe I would put him through this. I would look at palliative care for him, but that would be for my Dad. It shows how much you care by looking and asking questions. Best to you.

Linda

Pam M · February 2012

Hi powww
Sorry you need the site - glad you found it. My cancer was at the base of my tongue and in two of my lymph nodes, so I don't know how people are affected by inner ear radiation. Have your dad's doctors said anything about pain or difficulties eating? For some people, radiation is not bad - for others, it's very hard. Please do what you can to help him keep up good water and food intake, and try to keep his spirits and determination up as well as you can. Same advice for you, by the way. Hope you all do well - keep us updated.

Hal61 · February 2012

Help available
Hi, was your dad a prisoner of war in WWII? If he was he has our thanks along with our support, so please let him know that. I'm pasting in a link to a wealth of information created by Sweetblood, one of our survivors.
This is information directly from members on this board. It slso has links to outside help, but best of all it includes discussion threads from the board that will help answer a lot of yours and your dad's questions as treatment progresses.

best to you and your father,
Hal

SuperThread

Skiffin16 · February 2012

Welcome...
So sorry that you have to go through this ordeal. Like Hal said, the SuperThread has tons of good info and resources;

SUPERTHREAD

Hoping the best for your Father....

Ditto, KUDOS if he is a VET and especially as your screen name suggests prisoner WWII.

USMC Veteran here...

Best,
John

Tagboy · February 2012

Careful consideration
What you see folks suggesting somewhat between the lines is that radiation is no small deal. Most folks here have experienced it in the neck area for 6 weeks and that's where many of the more difficult side effects have been experienced. And I think that many of us 'younger' folks (I'm 52) may be thinking, man, this would be really tough if I was much older. I'm only 1 week outside of the end of my (IMRT) radiation treatments but my reading from friends' experience here suggests that I have a few more months of pretty serious impact ahead of me as regards clearing phlegm, swallowing food so I can get off the feeding tube, etcetera.
I strongly concur with those who recommend to you better understanding how broad the treatments are (and thus what side effects are likely) and weighing this against the likely progression of the disease if a less aggressive approach is taken. Also, possible consideration of a more targeted treatment like proton beam.
You and your Dad have my prayers!

squanous cell carsonma

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