Hi All,
This is sort of good news / bad news. Was diagnosed in July with my 3rd oral cancer recurrence - the first recurrence on my tongue, though. The 'thing' popped up very quickly and painfully in July - 'it' started as a small ulcer on old scar tissue and I had that biopsied (which confirmed recurrent SCC) a week after I noticed it and following the biopsy it developed into a painful 1cm hole in my tongue. I had a partial glossectomy on the 5th August, only to be told that the margins were as small as 0.4 mm in some areas and the pathology wasn't favourable. (The surgical team thought they had a 1 to 2 cm margin but the lesion had spread much further than the MRI and visual inspection suggested)

My surgeon then referred me back to a (new) radiation oncologist as they thought radioactive implants may be the way to go given my previous radiation. This option was then discussed with a Professor who specialises in this area of radiotherapy and he decided that it was too risky (given some areas that would be indirectly affected had already received maximum grays)and the quality of life issues that may arise were too great. In consultation with my Surgeon they decided to conduct another partial glossectomy to improve and hopefully get clear margins. I had this done last week and now have a touch over half a tongue left.

Much to my surprise losing so much tongue has not been as bad as I had feared. My speech while tongue tied and unclear is improving all the time and I'm now starting to eat solid foods again. I may have to have some speech therapy but I am confident I will be back at work by the end of the month.

I have now had a total of 10 surgeries associated with this cursed disease - albeit some very minor for things such as a grommet. I don't know what I can do to stop these recurrences but am thinking of going on a 10 day retreat that teaches meditation and promotes a cancer fighting diet - macro-biotic (and I think vegetarian).

I want to take control and stop this coming back - I don't smoke, don't drink and eat a relatively healthy and balanced diet? Any suggestions?? I see my ENT on Monday for a post operative check up and will be asking him the same question. I want to win this fight but feel that if the recurrences keep coming then one of these days I won't bounce back.

Sue