NEW ON HERE; A DILEMMA

Hi Robbie. There’s no doubt that tonsillectomy in adults causes pretty nasty pain for two weeks but high doses of radiation can cause lifelong side effects. 
I didn’t have a choice as my cancer was inoperable. I suffer from a dry mouth due to lower levels of saliva and I have to be really on top of oral hygiene 

For me, I’d take the op. 
What’s the difference in radiation? Do you know? 

Hi Robbie

T2N1M0 tonsil cancer diagnosed Feb 2023....Chemoradio finished June 2023

I was not given the option of surgery....straight into Chemoradio.... 30 radio  + 4 Chemo....pretty tough on the mind and body as most on here will testify to....best to be guided by oncology experts....outcomes for CRT are pretty positive.... 90% successful.

Best of luck

Peter

Hi Robbie, I had exactly the same as you cancer in left tonsil and 2 lymph nodes. I had both tonsils out 5 out of 6 chemo days and 30 sessions of RT. Although I wasn't given a choice of treatment, I would have definitely chosen what I had. I was of the mind that I wanted to get rid of the cancer, and wanted to throw everything at it, to get rid of it. Good luck with whatever way you decide.

Ray. 

Thanks for the reply Dani, i`m glad that you seem to be more or less back healthy again.

I was told that i was lucky that i had a choice, do`nt really feel that lucky though if i`m honest.

Will try to talk to the macmillan nurse to get more info.

Thanks again, take care.

Hi Peter thanks for your reply, both seem to be pretty rotten, i`ll try and get more info.

How are you now if you do`nt mind me asking?

Thanks for the reply Ray, it`s difficult to decide but i`m sort of swayed toward the RT and chemo as i wonder about losing half of my throat by robot.

I need 30 of RT and 2 chemo to start in about 3 weeks i was told.

How was your experience with the RT, pain,swallowing etc.

I do`nt know when you had it but hope you are over the worst.

Think i`ll be on here again soon.

Thanks again

Hi Robbie

Recovery after Chemoradio was slow to start with....August arrived and with it substantial improvement...had a PEG feeding tube put in place pre CRT treatment....life saver....speeded up recovery.

Been to Canaries in Oct/Nov....playing golf again (badly)...

Body not 100% but improving week by week....and my PET/CT scans were clear.

No complaints.

Best of luck

Peter

The thing is that you are going to have to have radiotherapy anyway. The questions to ask are how much less. See if you can get a figure. Radiation is measured in Grays. I had 66. I avoided chemo as I had no nodal spread. 
Ask how extensive the surgery and what if any long term effects.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.  

Life sounds good for you.

Nothing about PEG or feeding tubes mentioned to me.

Further questions needed i think.

Thank you Peter

Yes i agree with what you said about the RT, i was told they would take away part of the soft pallet, where the tonsils sat and part of the back of the tongue(all on the left)

Sounds a lot to me.

Thanks for the info.

Rob