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Hi nicnac and welcome. 
The first thing to do is get all the info you can and you’ve made a start on that. Come back and tell us what you and your dad are dealing with and you’ll get all the help we can manage  

Much head and neck cancer is curable  I had  cancer at the back of my tongue, 6 weeks of radiotherapy and I am nearly four years clear, fit and well  

Best wishes 

Hi Nicnac. Welcome from me as well.  Has Dani says when you know a bit more pop back in. I was 61 when diagnosed now over 4 years post treatment and happily living my life.
it’s a scary time but many head and neck cancers are curable. 
Hazel x
 

Sorry to hear your Dad had to deal with that on his own I had my partner with me and it was still too much information. Getting the initial information and absorbing that will really help. The forum here had great support and people are welcoming and generous with their experiences. I have just completed week 1 of my treatment 1 down 5 to go. Sending you hugs to help you through this difficult time.

Hi all, 

I spoke to the Macmillan Nurse today,he has Squamous Cell Cancer, they can’t find the primary site. He starts radiotherapy in a couple of weeks. The nurse explained really well to me and we have an appointment on Monday to discuss diet and any other things he may come across. Thanks for the welcome and the input x

I am glad you are starting to get more information this will definitely help you navigate the journey. Sending love and drop a message anytime. Karen 

Nicnac1974 said:

I spoke to the Macmillan Nurse today,he has Squamous Cell Cancer, they can’t find the primary site.

Don’t  worry about that. It may be too small to have been caught on biopsy. Did your dad have a tonsillectomy? 
I’m giving generic advice here based on my experience and lots of others here on the forum. I had radiotherapy to the base of my tongue and my neck on both sides. The skin did burn a bit but not much. 
By the end of week three I couldn’t swallow anything and was reliant for 8 weeks on a nasogastric tube. Hospital policy was to offer a tube if needed. Some trusts place stomach tubes before  treatment starts. If he is offered one my advice would be to grab it.  Keeping your weight up helps the body to heal quicker. 
The treatment is pretty rough and painful but the pain can be managed. 
How old is your dad if you don’t mind me asking?

I was 68 when I finished RT and I managed. 

Yes he had a lump removed and tonsillectomy at the same time, that was 2 week ago. He contracted covid pneumonia and sepsis at that time but has recovered well. He is a tough cookie. He fell downstairs 3 years ago whilst on holiday broke his arm, 7ribs and 4 neck vertebrae. It was during a routine ct scan about this that they found the lump on his neck, so breaking his neck was the way the cancer was found

Good grief. Poor chap. Give him a hug from all of us 

Wow...he does sound like a tough cookie! He has got this I am sure...

Hi tough cookie indeed.Treatments tough as Dani says if they offer him a peg take it my trust fitted n g tubes if needed I had mine week 4 and was in for 6 weeks it was my lifesaver. 
Remember head and neck cancers respond well to treatment,has h p v been mentioned ?

Hazel x