Hi, I have come onto this site after getting home from parents after Mum been told today that she has a tumour wrapped round her carotid artery and it is well into her jaw bone too.

She had surgey for mouth cancer 13 months ago and we hoped that was it after radiotherapy as well and removal of some lymph nodes and part of inside of mouth.

After being is such pain recently, consultant ordered MRI and has told her that it is inoperable and cant be cured.

She has been told that she will start chemo next week and they will try and shrink it. However, Dad said that consultant was clear tht this will not remove tumour.

My question is are they just buying Mum some time here or can the chemo stop the tumour for a length of time that would mean that she could have chemo each time to shrink it?

I am really concerned that this is fast growing as a scan in April revealed nothing.

My Dad says that he could tell the consultant was resigned to the fact it was a case of trying to keep Mum comfortable.

Any advice, steer or info you can provide might assist me with knowing or confirming whether I am right to feel so pessimistic for my beautiful mum. SHe is only 62.

Welcome to OCF. Im sorry to hear of your mothers situation. I would suggest that she go for a second opinion as soon as possible. By itself, chemo will not cure oral cancer. It sounds like it is going to be used for palliative care. Best wishes with everything.

ok, thanks.

Pretty much what I feared.
x

Just found out that plan to start Erbitux next week then 5 days in patient chemo.

Mum in a lot of pain in neck and giving morphine to manage.

I hate to think this, but if palliative care is what we are left with, can I dare hope that we may have her for years or is that not the reality in these circs?

Im sorry you are going thru this with your mother. You need to ask her doctors about time. Make sure she her pain is under control. It wont help her being in pain. Some people can last for months while other do not. I honestly cant even guess at how long you will have. I hope its a very long time! Best wishes.

Hi all.

After 3 cycles of chemo and weekly Erbitux over 9 weeks, we got scan results today.

Tumour has significantly shrunk, altho not able to operate at mo due to location etc and carotid artery. As Mum responded well to chemo, starts a further 3 cycles of chemo next week (also with Erbitux) over next 9 weeks.

We are meeting with oncologist and original surgeon next week and I wandered if there were any questions I should be asking?

Oncologist said that he didn't know how quickly tunour would re-grow again once chemo stopped after this next 3 cycles, it could be weeks, months etc.

I know it is palliative care, just wondered if there was any advice or knowledge you could offer?

tumour shrunk by 50% after chemo and straight into another 6 cycles.

Still wont operate due to location and wrapped round but if keeps shrinking mybe could keep it under conmtrol perhaps with chemo every few months?