Head & Neck, base of tongue cancer

My husband had Transoral Robotic Surgery with neck dissection at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN one week ago. We live 50 miles northwest of Chicago area and are trying to find a Radiology Oncologist experienced in Head and Neck cancer. He needs both radiation and chemotherapy. We may go back to Mayo for the treatment, but would prefer to stay home. Any recommendations? 

From what I've read, the treatment won't be too much better than the surgery. Very scary!

Diane in Woodstock, IL

have u looked in the cancer treatment centers of america? there is one located in chicago.

i looked into these before deciding on MD Anderson affiliates, which is the best cancer treatment center in america. since we live just north of houston, where md anderson is located, it was win-win for us.

good luck to yall. i will be praying for yall.

teresa

I'd forgotten about them, though I'd heard a lot of good things. Thanks for the reminder. I'll do that, and thanks for your prayers.

Diane

Diane

I live right down the road from you in Lake in the Hills!  I just finished my radiation and chemotherapy on March of this year for SCC base of the tongue and right tonsil.  I did both my radiation and chemo at the Sage Cancer Center at NIMC in McHenry following my surgery which was performed at Rush University Medical Center by Dr. Guy Petruzzelli.  My r.o. is Dr. Terry Bugno and my m.o. is Dr. Apurva Desai.

I would be more than happy to talk further by phone or in person with your husband and you regarding my journey through this past year and some of the things that you might expect.  The others on this board are a great resource for information and encouragement.  It will serve you both very well to get connected here as you are just beginning a long and difficult journey.  You will make it through this but don't try to do it alone, especially when you don't have to.  

Tony

Thank you, thank you! and I thank God for your reply. We have so much in common (unfortunately) and we'd really like to talk to you personally. I've been reading your blog and I'm so grateful that you wrote it. You're ahead of us on this journey and I'm looking forward to meeting you.

I'm a person who likes to know everything I can about something, so, like you, I've done much research ~ perhaps too much. Because of it, I've been plagued by worry. God tells us to be anxious for nothing, but in everything, with thanksgiving to present our requests to Him......and the peace of God, which transcends understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 

In addition to prayer, the following poem that has been invaluable to me in helping to restore my personal peace:

Never Borrow Sorrow from Tomorrow

Deal only with the present, never step into tomorrow,   For God asks us just to trust Him and to never borrow sorrow....

For the future is not ours to know,   and it may never be, So let us live and give our best, and give it lavishly......

For to meet tomorrow's troubles before they are even ours Is to anticipate the Saviour   And to doubt His all-wise powers...........

So let us be content to solve  our problems one by one, Asking nothing of tomorrow,  Except "Thy will be done."

Helen Steiner Rice

Diane

I read your post & am printing it to read everyday.  Thanks for sharing & good luck in your journey.  I too am new on her, just looking for answers.

Diane,

How is this different that a plain neck dissection? Also, why was the course of treatment to have the surgery before the chemo & rad? Also, what is the name of the doc at Mayo?

Diane, correct this is scary but you will make it.  I live 90 miles south west of you and I took all of my treatment at Mayo also, my surgeon was Dr. Moore, my radiation Oncologist is no longer there but her boss is.  We stayed at the Hope Lodge during my radiation and it was the greatest place to stay.  If you and your hubby would like more info please feel free to contact me on the board or privately if you wish.  See my entry Thank You Lord for some idea of my treatment experience.  I am now 15 months from start and doing great with “our new normal” life.  God bless to both of you.

Dave, Rock Falls, IL

On Nov 08, 2009 1:47 PM brenda40 wrote:

Diane,

How is this different that a plain neck dissection? Also, why was the course of treatment to have the surgery before the chemo & rad? Also, what is the name of the doc at Mayo?

Brenda40,

        I'll try to answer part of your question as to why the surgery first and then the radiation and chemo later. Different Doctors work differently, as explained to me by my Surgeon.

        I was operated on first to remove the Tumor on the Base of my Tongue. I had a radical neck disection and 1/3 of my tongue removed. The Surgeon and my Radiation Oncologist wanted me to heal up a good bit before starting my Radiation. My radiation started 7 weeks after my surgery. I wasn't given Chemo as they wanted to keep Chemo as my safety net in case the cancer came back in my neck.

        It was also explained to me by my Surgeon that the neck tissue, once radiated does not heal as well as before and takes longer. The skin and tissue change.

        The Cancer Team that I had seemed to operate first and then radiate/chemo afterwards. Not all patients were operated on as each patient that I spoke with during my treatments were given options and the patient chose what they wanted to do. I was given 3 options and I know I wanted the cancer out, period.

        My Best to You and Everyone Here

Brenda40, Pop-Pop is correct.  Since I had my Radiation and Chemo first I had a much more diffucult time healing from the surgery.  Good side is that they did not have to remove near as much tissue.  Both types of sugery including the robotic much depends on what they have to remove and the location.

Dave