My fiancee was diagnosed with anal cancer in June 2012. He actually had a fissure and when the doctor did surgery, he found a tumor hidden behind a hemorrhoid. Six weeks of radiation and 2 chemo treatments. Treatment went well and he is in remission. When he first had his PetScan back in June of 2012, the scan also showed a spot on the base of his tongue. He had a biopsy and it came back negative. After the PetScan came back in December, the same spot showed up on base of his tongue. Dr told him he needed it biopsied again. We chose to go to another Dr, and this time, it came back positive. He just finished with prepping the mouth. Next week he will have his CatScan and the mask will be made. The Dr has informed us that this treatment will be worse. He is eating everything in site, trying to put on weight. His Base of Tongue cancer is related to the HPV. Being a caregiver, I know it is going to be even more difficult this time around.

Welcome to OCF! Glad you have found this site to help you with being your fiancee's caregiver. Oral cancer is no walk in the park, but not every patient has a rough time. Best thing to remember is everyone is different and will respond in their own unique way with everything, medicines, procedures, etc.

Here are some important tips to help get him thru the upcoming treatments....

Not everyone suffers, some patients will sail right thru their treatments. Good nutrition and hydration are what makes the difference. Every single day take in at least 2500 calories and 48 oz of water. I know it sounds like alot but its not when your body is fighting both cancer and the effects of treatments, calories are burned up at an amazing rate.

Before you begin, make sure to have a full blood count done including thyroid. This is very important as most patients will end up taking thyroid meds down the road (myself included).

Anyone who offers to help, write down their name and number. Tell the person you will let them know what they can do when the time comes. Now is not the time to let pride stand in the way of getting people to help. You will need help, everyone does so get used to the idea of having helpers. Its a hard idea to adjust to for some, as they are very independent. It wasnt easy for me as I had no caregiver and was accustomed to doing everything by myself as I was a single mother raising my children alone. I was also a bit stubborn which isnt a good thing when fighting cancer.

Get a full dental check up including extracting any questionable teeth. A flouride tray should be made as well.

Best wishes with everything!!

Thank you for your care, concern and advice. One last visit to the dentist tomorrow and my fiancee will also get his trays. We had to move to Texas from Florida with the job. It is very difficult because we have no family here. I am a strong person and somehow will get through this. My finance is very very positive and ready to get going with treatment. He does have a great team of doctors and I have full faith in them.

I'm sorry for the bad news, but welcome. I also had base of tongue involvement, but primary was in the tonsil, HPV status unknown, in same area, and where 90 percent of HPV SCCHN is involved, tonsil, base of tongue. The good news is HPV had shown to respond better to Radiation, and even more with chemo, and better prognosis, but is no guarantee of anything. It is tough treatment, since treatment involves vital areas such as, speech, chewing, swallowing, talking, breathing, appearance, but many do it successfully.

Were any cervical lymph nodes involved, do you know the clinical TNM staging...Tumor, Nodes, Metastases, histology of the biopsy.

The is so much to understand. I suggest you become familiar with the many links on OCF to be more knowledgeable with this type disease, and see the many other members, who may post here with thier suggestions.

If you have any questions, just post them. Good luck with everything.

When I responded, there were no responses. By the time I finished, and posted there were two lol. Sorry if some is repeated.

It is T1. It is so small that it can't even be seen with the visible eye. We went to a top Dr at UT Southwestern, recommended by the radiation DR. He felt that it was so small that it may be able to be surgically removed. DR did a CatScan and again, said it is hard to detect with the eye. He would not chance trying to remove it in fear that may miss something.

The problem with BOT is that the lesion can go deeper into the structure than other areas that are more contained like tonsil, and not be visible at the surface. BOT has propensity for nodal metastases also due to the high lymphatics. They really don't know the extent sometimes until surgery. I had T1, same thing, not visible, and only found after finding an enlarged lymph node, further scan, biopsy. Surgery was not recommended, chemoradiation was, with induction chemo to be done in 3 cycles before that, which many do, but I would not again.

Have they considered minimally invasive transoral laser surgery being it's small T1. This does not effect future treatment options, such as surgery or radiation, and highly effective, to my understanding.

This kind of radiation (to the head and neck) can be difficult though I imagine having your anus and areas radiation is no picnic either.
Christine is right not everyone has a horrible time but truthfully even the easiest Time is very trying - best of luck. And welcome.