my mom was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue 8 years ago. She had a major op to remove half of her tongue and that was reconstructed with tissue/muscle from her arm and then skin graft from her stomach to replace what was taken from her arm. This reconstructed half of the tongue was stitched down which left her unable to eat and resulted in permanent speech impairment and swallowing difficulties.
last year she had an oesophagus dilation to try and improve her swallowing but since then there has been a further decline in her health. Towards the end of last year she was told she has osteoradionecrosis of the jaw. She has had infection in her jaw twice in the last few months. The hospital gave her antibiotics course last week. Her skin is peeling on her chin and she’s in discomfort. Does anyone else know about this condition or have any experience of this?
The hospital have said mom can’t take the tablets because she can’t swallow, there is a surgery they can perform but have told us it’s one of the most riskiest ops ever. Person is not guaranteed to come out of the surgery alive which is why the doctors don’t want to perform this procedure unless they really have to. so atm its about management of the condition with long term antibiotics.
Hi Pippa.
I thought I'd pop on to at least let you know your post doesn't go unanswered
You have a reply on your other thread.
I hope you get somewhere with the advice you have there
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Thanks so much Shaun.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
