Hi all :) my dad was diagnosed with stage 4b mandible cancer dec 2023. We initially were told the aim was to cure the cancer. He had surgery in Feb 2024 to remove tumour and had a neck dissection due to spread to lymph nodes in his neck. He had the right side of his jaw removed and had reconstructive surgery where part of his fibula replaced his jaw bone. Due to close margins he had chemotherapy cisplatin and radiotherapy which finished in May 2024.
His recovery has been going so well he had returned to work and was basically back to his old self. However at his follow up check up on April 3rd this year a lump was found in the same area where the previous tumour was. He’s had the date today for USS guided aspiration neck on May 30th. He’s understandably so worried at the thought that this could be a recurrence of the cancer a year after finishing his treatment. He does suffer with lymphoedema in the area of his neck face where he had the treatment and where the tumour was removed from? Could it be possible that the lump is caused by lymphoedema. Has anyone been in a similar situation and were given the all clear?
also my dad was never offered a post treatment PET scan. I queried this many times but my dad was told it wouldn’t be beneficial for him.
thank you in advance
alys
