| | Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 1 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 1 | I am a new user to this website forum. My husband had a radical neck dissection following Stage IV cancer diagnosis some years ago. Two years ago he developed osteoradionecrosis in his lower jaw, and in July 2012 he had jaw replacement surgery. It's been 18 months since the surgery and a few months ago he developed swelling in his jaw and a small weeping sore developed under his jaw that won't heal. He's been on antibiotics now for several months and motrin for the swelling. He's not in a lot of pain but it is concerning that the sore won't heal. Xrays of the mandible show that the bone transplant is doing okay. Has anyone had an experience like this? What would cause this weeping sore, and why wouldn't it heal?
gdiana | | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | It could be any number of things causing the weeping. Healing is always compromised in radiation patients. Did your husband do the hyperbaric oxygen treatments (HBO) when he had the osteoradionecrosis? That will help with healing and to reduce the chance of further complications.
I would see his ENT to further check for issues. Something is causing the problems so they need to test until they find what is behind it.
Best wishes!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | Hi there.. what Christine said is correct. Often patients who've had radiation have poor wound healing. This can be a long term situation depending on how much blood flow and tissue perfusion has been compromised by the radiation. As many hear are fond of saying - radiation is the gift that keeps on giving. Normally as christine said HBO will help with the wound healing as it brings O2 into the area to promote healing and circulation etc..
Also keeping the area clean and packing it can help. These wounds generally heal from the inside out so religious cleaning and keeping it dry will help promote faster healing. But this could be a long term problem without HBO... it's very common..
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 559 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 559 Likes: 1 | Hi G - welcome to the family. We help caregivers just as much as we help patients. I don't have the technical knowledge to answer your questions, but I do know how to tell you someone else will always be along with advice related to your husband's problem.
You've already fought the fight once. We will be here to help YOU fight it in round two.
take care.
Tony
Tony, 69, non-smoker, aerobatics pilot, bridge player/teacher, avid dancer (ballroom, latin, swing, country)
09/13 SCC, HPV 16, tonsillectomy, T2N0.
11/13 start rads, no chemo
12/13 taste gone, dry mouth,
02/14 hair slowly returning
05/14 taste the same, dry sinuses, irrigation helps.
01/15 food taste about 60% returned, dry sinuses are worse in winter.
12/20 no more sinus problems, taste pretty good
| | |
| Forums23 Topics18,168 Posts196,927 Members13,104 | | Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020 | | |
|
