Hi all. I just wanted to put some thoughts and questions down on a thread. Im 34 and work in the NHS as a med sec. My dad got diagnosed with oral cancer three years ago, he had treatment via surgery and radiotherapy and was given the all clear. 3 years later and the same time of cancer is back but in a different area of his mouth.
My Dad has took it on the chin but I'm terrified. He is 80 this year in August and im worried he won't be here for it. Looking at him you wouldn't think there was anything wrong with him. He is eating fine, he's in good spirits, laughing and joking etc. After his surgery last time he bounced back so well. He didn't need speech therapy after his surgery and his annual checkups at the GP everything has been fine. He had a biopsy done as there was something not right at the back of his mouth which a month before, a registrar thought was thrush which he was put on antibiotics for. It seemed to clear most of it up but there was still some slight white specks left which he had a biopsy of which confirmed the diagnoses. He's got a CT scan a week today and had some bloods done too.
Im really scared to be honest. The consultant thinks the biopsy stitching has made it look worse than it is so I'm assuming that means he is confident it's been caught early but he can't have more radiotherapy. I'm just wondering what other treatments he can have and if anyone has gone through something similar to ease my worries. Thank you for reading.
Hi Antjac and welcome to the community but so sorry to see you here and that your dad is ill again.
You’re right he can’t have radiotherapy again but maybe he can have surgery. Chemotherapy doesn’t work too well on SCC as I’m sure you’re aware but immunotherapy might and I have heard proton beam being discussed for recurrence as the beam is more localised but that’s a long shot.
There are quite a few trials around combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy, do ask his consultant?
You could explore being referred to a major cancer centre if he is not at one already
I had a PET hotspot at my 16 week scan and I was told salvage would be surgical. Luckily I didn’t need it.
I hope something can be done.
Do let us know how things go if you feel you can
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Please don’t. It’s one of the first things my oncologist told me to not do. They are retrospective and a generalisation. Think how far cancer treatment has progressed in the last ten years
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
The consultant is right. RT is a one off treatment but chemo can and often is repeated.
I have heard of people having radiotherapy twice but only if the treatments are years apart and in completely different areas of body. Can you sit down with the consultant and have everything explained?
Hiw much surgery might be needed if at all possible and are they treating him to cure him or to keep him comfortable for as long as possible?
It’s horrid to have to face but these are the things you need to know.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Hi AntJac, as Dani mentioned radiotherapy is normally done once in this certain area, they can risk offering more but a lot depends on how much the area was affected last time as it can damage the skin tissues etc. Chemo can be repeated as can operations if its safe to do and improves the quality of life. Wishing your dad all the best,take care.
Chris x
Its sometimes not easy but its worth it !
