HPV Origin Throat Cancer stage4

2»

Comments

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #22
    PG14531 said:

    HPV Origin Throat Cancer stage4

    My friend was diagnosed with HPV Origin Throat Cancer stage4 in January. He is almost done with his radiation and chemo. It has been difficult like all of you have mentioned, but I keep telling him that h'es "almost done"...light at the end of the tunnel! I am concerned about something, though. Before he found out that his cancer was HPV origin, he was told it was from daily smoking of cigars and excessive daily drinking. He has also smoked pot for 30+ years almost daily. During the beginning of his treatments, he continued to smoke pot to relieve the discomfort, pain, help him relax and eat. After a few treatments, his mouth and throat were too sore to smoke pot. My question is....After he's recouperated, is pot smoking going to be dangerous for him? I certainly think it will, but can't find any information to support that so I can pass it on to him. I hope he realizes that the pot is unfiltered and that he also doesn't go back to cigars and alcohol.  Too early to tell. I appreciate any info anyone has.

    smoking of any kind and

    smoking of any kind and drinking will definitely increase the chances of the cancer coming back.  i smoked aftter my 35 rad treamnts and my cancer was back in 16 months.  i would definitely try to talk your friend into quitting both the drinking and the smoking as both can be causes of throat cancer.  i wish you and your friend the best of luck and will put you both in my prayers.

    God bless,

    debbiejeanne

  • Army_Guy
    Army_Guy Member Posts: 53
    #23
    Skiffin16 said:

    Welcome Hetal

    I was diagnosed woth STGIII SCC Tonsil Cancer and a Lymphnode also HPV+ January 2009..., very much the same treatment protocul...all via the power port you mention.

    Nine weeks (three week cycles) of Cisplatin, Taxotere and a week of 5FU... That followed with seven concurrent weekly doses of Carboplatin and the 35 daily rads sessions...

    First, relax a little and step back... This cancer is very treatable these days with exclellent results... Myself and many here are "living" proof... I finished up treatment Jun2009, and all scans have been clean and clear since.

    It's not easy, and at times it can be pretty difficult..., but it is very doable.

    Not sure what the 24 hour water fast is..., one thing you will hear here is to hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate... Even the chemo center will hydrate you to one, flush the chemo, and two..to keep you from becoming dehydrated.

    Dehydration will put you in the hospital relatively fast and for more that a few days...

    For most of us the loss of taste and saliva with chemo and mainly rads is common... More than likely it's going to happen. And it's going to last for several weeks if not a few months.

    Good thing, for most of us it returns to some degree... For many like myself, I have 100% taste back and around 95% saliva... It doesn't return fast, and actually it's very slow..measured in weeks at best, months more than likely.

    The first thread on this forum is called SuperThread..., check it out, it has tons of great info to help you with questions, and knowledge you are or will be seeking.

    BTW, I do mainly all computer work, and it was fairly easy for me to work from home the entire time.

    Each of us are different, recover, heal and respond differently.., so it's really difficult to say how anyone will do, unitl they get to that point... Their body will dictate what they can or can't do. But recovery, rest and healing are paramont for the best results...(I feel)...

    Again, welcome...

    Best ~ John

     

     

    Welcome Hetal

    My experiences were similar to those of Skiffin16. I had a stage 3 HPV+ squamous cell tumor in my throat. Tough treatment protocol: radiation 2x a day for seven weeks and Cispaltin chemo once per week for the same period. Lost taste buds, sore throat, battle with thrush and lost 100 lbs. I used a feeding tube because food tasted like dirt and eventually my thoat got pretty sore.One thing I learned is that Cisplatin can be tough on the kidneys and staying hydrated is important; I drank 60-80 ounces of water every day. This was in 2010.

     

    Today I am cancer-free (3 clean scans), workout 3x per week, and my tadte buds are at about 90% (which beats zero). My weight has been stable for 18 months and I feel terrific; by the way I'm 68 years old. Hydrate, hydrate hydrate during treatment, use aqquafor on your neck after rads, and rinse and gargle with a mild saltwater solution 10-12 times a day. You will survive...

    Army_Guy

  • cadharose
    cadharose Member Posts: 52
    #24
    Maintain excellent oral

    Maintain excellent oral hygiene - flossing, brushing teeth, gums and tongue, Biotiene and baking soda/saline swishes, and fluoride treatments. I didn't have the feeding tube put in and I think it was a good decision. My taste buds rebounded to near normal or possibly 100% even, within the first month after treatment ended. My saliva is taking a little longer, but I have seen good signs there and am optimistic about it as are the doctors.

Discussion Boards