Tongue Cancer

Ihad tongue cancer 19 months ago. I am cancer free. I still can't eat by mouth & I have a feeding. Has anyone else had this problem after tongue cancer.? I went thru radiation & chemo.  My tongue is small now & doesn't move

I know it is very hard to eat after tongue surgery and radiation, I was fortunate not to need chemo. You must be persistent and try to exercise your tongue. Have they given you any physical therapy to do. Also be aware that radiation is the gift that keeps on giving. I had my cancer 6 years ago and am having voice and swallowing issues now and having to take more physical therapy regarding this. Wish I had started sooner after my initial surgery and treatment. I never had to have a feeding tube but was limited to liquids and very soft food for about 8 months and gradually worked up to other kinds. It was a good two years before I was able to eat most foods comfortably. Hang in there and keep the faith. I'll keep you in my prayers. VC

I also had tongue cancer and surgery. I had a feeding tube for a short while. Now, 5 years later, I can eat soft foods.I know it is hard, but you are cancer free. How great is that!
Have faith.
M

Thanks for your email. Do you have dry mouth,& if so what do you do? Iam so thankful to be cancer free. I have excepted the fact I may always have the feeding tube,& not talk nornmal,but i wish I could get some relief from dry mouth.
Debi

I am sorry to hear about your cancer, my neighbour has had tongue, gum, toncill, and eye cancer. He just turned 83 last week and is a real fighter. He told me to help with the dryness and sore mouth he found eating pineapple (canned in the juice) really helped. I hope this helps you.

I can't eat. I have a feeding tube.
Thanks for the information

Sometimes swallowing therapy will work. Also "stretching" the tongue ie. just moving it around will prevent it from "scarring down". It is important to try to eat some, at least. If you don't use it , you lose it. Speach therapy also involves retraining yourself to swallow. It is difficult, but just waiting and not taking preventative measures just makes it a certainty.

Hi: I am 8 months past my treatment for tongue (radiation seeds no surgury on the tongue) and neck cancer and am still on the feeding tube. I started physical therapy about a month ago with little results so far. My PT has a goal to have me eating mashed potatoes by Thanksgiving but it really is up to me and the results of the radiation. If you havn't tried PT do so it can't hurt. Good luck

I had PT for swallowing & speech.My tumor was so big, that had to use such powerful radiation, my tongue doesn't move & the side where the tumor was is flat to the bottom of my mouth. My tongue is very small. I can't open my mouth very wide because my jaws were so damage. Believe me, I have tried everything possible to et this tongue to move. I can swallow, but the esphogus is almost closed from not being used. ENT will not put me thru stretching it until they see tongue movement, because it would close up again. Right now it would take 2 Dr's to stretch it. ONE down the throat & one thru the tube. Do you have dry mouth? I have it really bad. Do you put alot of water thru your tube? I use 6 + a day plus oj.What stage was your cancer? mine was 3. Ijust had my 2 year PET scan in AUG. I am cancer free. Praise god. It was a full body with the main focus on the head & neck. I didn't have cancer anywhere but the tongue. I can't take anything by mouth. Good luck to you & I will keep you in my prayers

Debi

 

On 10/30/2007 gatorgirl wrote:

Ihad tongue cancer 19 months ago. I am cancer free. I still can't eat by mouth & I have a feeding. Has anyone else had this problem after tongue cancer.? I went thru radiation & chemo.  My tongue is small now & doesn't move

Did you go to a speech therapist for swallowing ? Can you drink liquids ?