I was first diagnosed with a pleomorphic adenoma on the inside of my right cheek in 1985 which was removed from within the mouth. Ten years later in 1995 I noticed a swelling just underneath my right jaw and after a FNA my right side submandibular salivary gland was surgically removed and it was found to contain acinic cell carcinoma. I then had a right side neck dissection to remove lymph nodes where no evidence of spread was found.
Fast forward 26 years to November 2021 and I discovered another lump below my right jaw which has now been removed and again identified as acinic cell carcinoma. I have been told that it has been completely removed with a sufficient margin of safety.
I have been referred to a consultant clinical oncologist who is offering radiotherapy, 20 sessions over four weeks. He has outlined the procedure and all the possible side effects, which are pretty scary, He says its is my choice whether to proceed or not.
Acinic Cell Carcinoma is a low grade tumour which grows slowly but the oncologist tells me that there is a new classification of Secretory Carcinoma and there is a possibility that it will recur, possibly more frequently although my case does not fit this pattern and it may not recur.
The way it has been put to me radiotherapy entails numerous side effects both short and long term and it may or may not help. Furthermore I may not have a recurrence and even if I do I may die of something else before it manifests (I am 67).
I suppose what I want to ask is should I go ahead with radiotherapy given that now, ten weeks after neck surgery, my tongue has still not recovered full mobility and I am already suffering from dry mouth in the morning although my neck wound is settling down well?
I have a friend with this. He sent me this link. He went for a second opinion which is maybe what you should do
In your shoes I would ask somebody who specialises in this.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
You’re very welcome. I hope you get the advice you need and do keep in touch.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
generally a once only option so I would keep it in case the cancer returned (again)
That's the key point for me in situations like this, though it wasn't a consideration or a decision to be made in my case.
RT is a once only option so holding it back as an "insurance policy" seems the sensible thing to do if you can.
Metastatic SCC diagnosed 8th October 2013. Modified radical neck dissection November, thirty-five radiotherapy fractions with 2xCisplatin chemo Jan/Feb 2014. Recurrence on larynx diagnosed July 2020 so salvage laryngectomy in September 2020.
