Neck and throat cancer

Hi Scan and welcome to our community. There are lots of us here with similar cancers who have survived and thrived after treatment.

I had base of tongue cancer but no lymph nodes up so avoided chemotherapy but I did have 6 weeks of radiotherapy which is the gold standard treatment.

The treatment is pretty rough but doable and the cancer eminently curable.

Do you have any treatment plan in place or have you just been diagnosed?

Others will be along to lend you a hand

Best wishes

Hi Scan - you obviously cracked the posting OK, well done!

I found my cancer through a lymph node, so probably similar to you.  That was in October 2019.  Still here!

After that I diverge from the normal pathway for these cancers as they cannot find my primary cancer, although they still think it is in my tongue.  I've had 5 lots of surgery, but no radio or chemo - yet.  Tonsils gone and most of the lymph nodes on the right of my neck.  Like Dani says the treatment is tough, but manageable.

If you have/when you get a treatment plan then let people know what it is and what your concerns are as there is lots of experience on here that can help you cope with what is coming.  The early stages of waiting for the plan are probably the most stressful as when the plan is in place it all sort of flows and life then takes on different pressures.

Hi Scan,

I am very similar to you though a few weeks ahead by the sounds of it.

I found a large lump in my neck in February, almost seemed to appear overnight. Various scans and tests later and confirmed I have 3 cancerous lumps in my neck. Biopsy shows weak hpv positive which means they are secondary, most likely from tonsils or base of tongue. Nothing here has shown up on scans though, this is not ungraded of in this type of cancer. Consultant thought right tonsil felt firmer.

Two weeks ago yesterday, I had both tonsils and base of tongue (not as bad as it sounds!!) removed. I have healed really well. Again they said removed right tonsil felt firmer but I have appointment tomorrow to hopefully get proper results.

My neck lumps are too big / complicated for surgical removal so will be dealt with by chemoradiation, probably starting 6 weeks after surgery and lasting for 6 weeks. Again that will be confirmed tomorrow.

Have they done biopsies on your lump yet? This will show what type of cancer you have and helps direct treatment etc. 

I how you have someone supporting you through this. As someone new here, I have found this page such a great support, fab for questions and concerns, there is a lot to get your head round. Take heart though, this is treatable, I'm not expecting it to be pleasant but I am expecting to be all done by the end of the year and more or less the person I was before - maybe just thinner (bonus in my case) with a few changes in eating.

Keep us updated with how you get on,

Julie x

hi Scan, yes I had the same, tonsil cancer with 2 lymph nodes. I had my tonsils removed, then 6 weeks radiotherapy and 5 out of 6 day long chemo sessions. The treatment is quite rough but very doable. Like Beesuit has already said there are many of us on here, who have had the same, and after 3/12 years I am still here to tell the tale. If you have any worries or questions, just ask on here, someone will always answer if they can. All the best.

Regards Ray.

Hi Scan welcome to the club we thought we would never join. I am the same age and just felt something wasn't right and had what just seemed like a swallow gland in my neck. Well it was base of tongue cancer which they dont operate on which I was really surprised. They did a biopsy as they thought it had spread to one lymph node but unfortunately it has gone to both. I have now finished my treatment and have gone through the worse part of the treatment which is the recovery believe it or not. What you have to remember is you are being cared for by experts who deal with this everyday. I was blessed as only had to have 30 radio sessions and 6 chemo only completing 4 as I was so ill. The most important thing is you are being seen and the ball is rolling  . Once they have all the information after all the test  results your team will decide your best treatment and then it is roller coaster time just doing the treatment. Try not to worry and stay off Goggle , I know easier said than done but there is loads of information here and really helpful people. Any questions feel free .  All the Best regards Min 

Thanks everyone for your comments,  I start my chemo next thursday and I will receive treatment every 3 weeks, the hospital told me that they wont be able to cure it but they do hope to control it with regular treatment. Its definitely a life changer that I didn't see coming even when I first had the stinging feeling with certain foods and drinks. 

Hi Scan The most important thing is you are starting treatment soon. Just take one day at a time is my advice. All The Best Regards Min 

Another quick question if you don't mind,  I know weight loss is common for cancer patients,  iam about one and half stone lighter then normal  for this time of year, because of my tender throat I've not been eating very much over the last few weeks,  could this weight loss be down to lack of food, the cancer or maybe a bit of both  ?

Hi Scan

It is difficult to say and your clinical team will have the right diagnosis of the issue.  Personally I would suspect that it is down to your tender throat - I've been similar since the last operation, but made sure what I could swallow was high in calories so kept reasonably stable.

Certainly let your clinical team know, especially as it seems significant from your normal weight.  They will be able to advise you what is the best option for eating going forward.

Probably a bit of both, it is so hard to eat when your throat is sore. As Peter has said, maybe try and make what you can eat as high in calories as possible to try and prevent further weight loss. You want to be as fit as possible ready for your chemo.