Wow - that is a loaded question. I really need to pass on answering that, because I am not in your friend's situation. You need to do the research yourself since you, he, and his doctors are closest to the situation. For MY situation though, my research indicated that my doctor was right - the survival rate was better with all three - chemo, radiation, and surgery. I am really sorry to back away from this one, but I feel like I am not qualified to address it!
You know what, I think all three is probably the best for everybody in this situation...if he shows it in his nodes I think a neck dissection is without question...I'm going to present it to his doc this week and of course everybody’s body is different too. What one will survive another could succumb to very quickly...another question...with that surgery, what did you lose as far as the parts in that area of your neck? Did you lose your voice voice? What areas are gone? Did you have to have plastic surgery as a result of it?
Steffani:
I am really happy you are going to talk to your friend's doctor about a dissection. I think the dialog is important. As far as my dissection, I had 38 lymph nodes removed and that was it. My voice, carotid artery, jugular vein, and muscles (I wish I could remember how to spell the muscle in the area of the dissection!). The worst part of the surgery was having the drains removed. That was very uncomfortable. As far as long term (1 year, 2 months) effects: I needed physical therapy to get my right arm strength and range of motion back because my arm tightened up about 6 months after the surgery. I have some numbness in my right ear, I get some cramps in my neck, but that is getting rare, and I have a small and very tolerable amount of stiffness in my neck. Last winter I was cold all of the time due to weight loss. My surgical scar is barely noticible (I double checked that with my wife because I really don't notice it). My ENT also trained in microsurgery, so your results may vary! Really, there are only two long term effects that actually bother me. The real one is the lack of saliva. I need to carry water with me where ever I go, and I keep a spray that as far as I know, only Walgreens carries called Stoppers 4. The other effect is just annoying, and is getting much better. I LOVE spicy food and a glass of red wine, and my tongue and inside of my mouth cannot tolerate alcohol or anything much hotter than banana peppers.
I seriously feel like I am living a nightmare. My mother was diagnosed with squamise cell carcinoma-a big smoker! She had the surgery -neck disection on her neck then the doctor nonchalantly said.....Oh she will have to have radiation also. Well, I have lots of friends mothers who have had breeast cancer so I thought ....oh not a big deal(of course it is a big deal...I don't mean to sound flippant) but my friend said oh she will have the runs and feel a little nausea....Obviously, I was very naive.....So we went to the Oncologist-I just love oncologist!!!! And heard the medevil terror of radiation. I thought I was in a nightmare....so being the faint at heart...my mother decided to take her chances and not do it....big mistake...Yes it did come back so now she has to have radiation......no options....I just found this board and it made me feel better for some reason...I need to feel some feeling of empowerment because I feel like I am going to have a nervous breakdown.....I am my mothers only support so I try to stay strong for her but I am a mess inside....She hasn't started it yet but very soon. Ultimately, I guess I want to know how her life will be after radiation....and also, what sorts of nutrition should she take while she is on radiation...I want to keep her weight on....please help me. Thanks Lily
My friend has two more weeks left of his radiation treatment...tumor on neck is shrinking...tumor on tonsil is almost gone. His neck is raw and tender. He's very contispated though. Any suggestions on that one? He's lost 15 pounds...very hard to swallow...still being tube fed...I'm tired...I feel guilty for saying that.
To be perfectly honest with you it is a nightmare but with your support, your mom will get through it. My friend also has the same thing your mom has...we have two weeks left of the radiation treatment...started with eight weeks...he's lost 15 pounds...has a feeding tube. Highly recommend it...can hardly eat or swallow. It's a very very difficult treatment to go through...he also has chemo too. We don't know if he will have to have a neck dissection yet. Your feelings are normal and I got alot of info through this site. I hear life does get back to almost normal after treatments...of course I hear there are side effects...but think positive for your mom and yourself...it's only a span of 7 or eight weeks out of your and your moms life. She can do it...
I am going to try to hit three messages with one reply. Let's see how it goes. First to 24. Steffani is right. Your mom needs your support to make it. As far as nutrition, discuss a feeding tube with her doctors. Ensure makes a great product. I lived exclusively on it for several months. As for long term results, I am at 1 1/4 years post radiation. I still have sensitive skin in my mouth and on my tongue, and I have little or no saliva. You need to get your mom's dentist involved and up to speed on radiation therapy as well because there is a lot a dentist can do to prevent tooth problems from radiation. Also, jaw tissue is less likely to recover post radiation if it gets a cut or if you need oral surgery. The possibility of infection goes up.
Steffani - it is fine to be tired. Taking care of me was very draining on my wife as well. Look at it this way - the fact that you are tired and frustrated is PROOF that you are working hard to help and that you care! Life does get back to almost what it was (and becomes a new "normal") and the side effects, in perspective, are quite tolerable. Hang in there, both of you. It will get better soon, and the misery from treatment will fade into the past. At this point, I only consider cancer as something I beat, and have moved PAST.
Hi Marlya50, Three years ago I found a tumar in my neck. It was SQumous cell cancer located on my left tonsil. I'm a Viet-Nam vet. so they sent me to Albany, N.Y. VA hospital and removed it. They also gave me seven weeks of radiation theropy. It has been three years now and I'm still not back to 100%. But I'm not 6 ft. under eather. So please tell your husband to hang in there. Things will get better but you will never be as good as you were. You must learn to live another way. Ed
It has been a while since I've written. My husband was diagnosed with right tonsillar cancer in June, had a feeding tube and port put in on July 1, had 36 IMRT radiation treatments (July 11-August 29) and 3 chemo treatments (cisplatin and 5FU) starting on July 11 and ended on September 16. He developed a severe case of mucositis on July 19 that still requires him to use a feeding tube. 10 cans of vanilla Glucerna a day, since he is diabetic. He developed severe burns to his neck during radiation. He uses Biotene moutwash and says he can taste it and the IMRT saved his salivary glands. Although he has only had visual exams by his hem/onc, ENT and radiation/onc docs - all 3 say the tumor appears to be gone. None are recommending surgery, although that may change when he has his cat scan in a few weeks. We have read that Sloan, MDAnderson and Hopkins rarely do surgery anymore in this instance. Today is almost 4 weeks since his last radiation treatment and for the first time he told me he feels good, he was even able to swallow a few sips of water for the first time in almost 10 weeks. Hang in there Steffani!
Sheila
I have read with great interest about your daughter I hope and pray for her complete recovery.
My brother in law was just diagnose with recurrent oral cancer I dont know what kind of cell was his previous cancer but thi time was diagnose squamos cell as a retired nurse I was very concern becase of the seriousness of the illness, and just brouse to get some info. really appreciate your imput.
iwill try and keep you informe of his treatment here in Ocala Fl. He has an app. next tues. I am praying for him and my sister. Gladys