Nasal Squamous cell cancer

Hi terrcatb,

I had a full rhinectomy plus removal of bone in my top lip, left neck dissection and removal of teeth and the insertion of a skin flap in June 2020. Five weeks post op the lymph nodes showed the cancer had spread so had to have a right neck dissection prior to two sessions of chemo and 32 sessions of radiotherapy.  I have had two prosthetic noses so far but neither of them have been any good to be honest.  I am in the process of getting my third prosthetic nose and hoping that this time they will get it right.  I am still not confident about going out and about with my prosthetic nose so tend to wear a face mask. 

Hi Lady66H welcome to the club no one wants to join.  I had a full Rhinoectomy in March 2020, teeth removed plus 30 Radiotherapy.  I have one nose at the moment but like you, it does not look like my original one, too pointy for me.  I wear a dressing when I go out.  I am waiting now until I get my teeth, as they say it changes your face shape.  I will go for nose number 2 then.

After reading the replies on here I feel I have been very lucky up to now. Not spread, as far as they can tell and didn't need treatment after 2 ops. Still have bits of nose left and some bridge so I can still wear my glasses. I tend to wear a mask going out as cold weather numbs it and keep covered in the sun as a precaution. I have been out without a mask and get a few looks but nobody has said anything. It fascinates kids and teenagers tho. I just say I look a bit different to you and smile. I have got a face to face in June but all looks ok and healing well. It will be a year then since first op and only had one phone consultation. Delayed due to covid.

You have certainly been through it all with the op and treatments. Hope you are on the up now and you get your prosthetic sorted out. It will be a while till I get mine. I have been to 5 different hospitals before and after diagnosis and hope the prosthetic will be the last one. The travelling wears me out as I don't drive. Luckily we have good public transport.

Hi wakeylass,

My current prosthetic nose is too big and is not the right colour to blend in with my facial tones So it really stands out, hence my wearing a face mask all the time when I go out. I have an appointment with the prosthetics unit on Tuesday for the wax fitting.  Due to the position of the cancer they could not take an impression of my nose prior to surgery and although I have given clear photos showing the shape of my nose they don’t seem to be able to replicate it and so far the prosthetics have not been anywhere near the shape or size of my nose. I am hoping it will be third time lucky.

i cannot get my teeth replaced until after second lot of surgery as they hsve not left any room for the dentist to fit them, great isn’t it!

I will let you know how it goes with my third fitting.

Hi Lady66H,

Looks like we both have the same problem as far as the nose goes.  My cancer was septum and the floor of my nose.  The floor is taking its time to heal.  I often catch it at the corner and you would think I was bleeding to death.  They took no impression of my nose either and, like you I have supplied lots of pictures of my nose, it still doesn’t resemble it.  It would be more suited to the wicked witch of the East!! At least we are not alone.  I’m in agony when I yawn as the skin is too tight on the small bit of bridge I have left.  I have to grab my eyes and face before yawning so it doesn’t pull. I’m fed up waiting for teeth, my last appointment was cancelled due to the second wave! Oh yes let me know how your appointment goes.

Welcome to the club nobody wants to be in. I had my appointment with my speech therapist this morning as I still have trouble sounding some letters when talking she having some teeth would help so we all seem to be in the same boat. Considering that this time of cancer is so rare there seems to be a lot of us now but I was wondering why I appear to be the only male.

reading this back I also appear to have trouble typing!!

Hope you are keeping well. How did your MDT meeting go.

Hi, was just sat here thinking about  Kay skents too and wondered how she went on at here appointment.

Hi Terracatb,

Had my wax fitting today seems okay but you can’t really tell until you get the new nose. Fingers crossed its third time lucky. I have an appointment on 27th of this month so keeping my hopes up.