In late march i was at the dentist because i had found white dots within 5 kins she was doing an email to head and neck dr, i saw dr on the following tues and within the next 4wks i had ct and mri scans, plus biopsy, i was then told yes i had oral cancer over the next month i had meeting with oncology teamsand told i had staging T4a N1 M0, squamous cell carcinoma of Oral Cavity, Alveolar Ridge.
However i was told because of other issues with my health i.e kidney transplant, and diabetic they would not operate however we went down the route of chemotherapy started it 8wks ago 2 have had 2 treatments, i saw my oncology dr on weds and he is very pleased with the way my cancer is shrinking so he has authorised 2 more treatments befire doing a head and chest ct scan if that shows no issues then he is looking at radiotherapy
Just wonder if anyone else has had this and has any advice
Hi sussexguy
Welcome here but really sorry to see you here. I've been here five years and I can't recall anybody else reporting this type of oral cancer so I did a search for gum cancer and that came up blank too. However, lots of forum members just lurk here without posting so your post might prompt a reply.
There are folk here who have had induction chemotherapy before radiotherapy for throat cancer, then progressing onto the curative radiation.
There are similarities in reaction to treatment. Radiotherapy will give you a pretty sore mouth and you might find eating very difficult or impossible. You may be offered a feeding tube.Your oncologist will go through all the side effects and there are a few but nobody gets them all.
You have to be in the same position at every treatment so you'll have a mask made which clips to the treatment table. Sounds awful but it's not.
I have a few details in my blog linked at the bottom of this post.
Stay with us and we can help you through. You'll have more questions on the way.
Good luck
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
I wrote a blog about my cancer. just click on the link below
https://todaymycoffeetasteslikechristmasincostarica.com
Good evening Sussexguy, i have not had cancer in specific area and did not have any health issues at the time i cannot comment on that side of things but it is very encouraging to hear that the cancer tumour is shrinking as it shows the treatment is doing its job, i expect your consultant is making sure that the treatment is continuing to work before comminting to a course of radiotherapy so dont be to alarmed about the radiotherapy . Wishing you all the best with your recovery, take care.
Chris
Its sometimes not easy but its worth it !
