Hi All,
I have been diagnosed with stage 2 cancer on the right side of my tongue. The tumor was removed but the cancer is past the tumor and another tumor ha appeared. I have an appointment with a radiologist and a PET Scan tomorrow. The doctor wants to do surgery on my tongue but I'm kinda reluctant to have my tongue restructured. Has anyone not had the surgery and just radiation? chemo? They are also talking about putting a tube into my stomach to feed me during the treatment. Has anyone had this? I'm trying to keep a positive attitude and going about my normal activities. Thanks in advance!

Welcome to OCF,

Your questions are what most people ask when learning they have cancer. Different treatments and combinations are used by doctors to treat cancer. There are guidelines but they are not cast in cement and there are characteristics unique to your case that places the recommendation in their hands.

Two different doctors looking at the same facts may prescribe different courses of treatment. You need to have trust in who you are being treated by and should seek a second opinion if not totally sure.

You may want to start a new thread in the introduce yourself section and also place more details about your situation in the signature block.

Welcome to OCF! You will find lots of info ans support here. Read and learn about your illness and what you can do to best prepare and advocate for yourself. There are many pages with important info and things to ask your doc on the main OCF pages. Read the posts and see what others in your situation experience.

Best thing you can do is find the best medical team you can and who you are comfortable with then go with what they propose. At a comprehensive cancer center (CCC) you will have top notch physicians who work together as a team based approach to each individual case. Together the specialists will prepare and individual treatment plan.

A feeding tube sounds shocking but its fairly common. There are 2 sides to this and many online spats have been over what I call the PEG wars. Im pro peg but also encourage patients to eat and drink as much as they can and keep doing it throughout their treatments. In my opinion, its better to have one and not need it than to be in the position of needing an emergency peg tube installed due to malnutrition and dehydration. Always be prepared. There are hundreds of peg tube posts to read on the forum.

Buckle up, you have a long road ahead. We will be in your corner to help guide you along the way.




@ Don ..... I renamed and moved Jones's first post.

Hi J:
Welcome to your new family. We all either have oral cancer or are caregiver to someone who does, so we know what you are about to go through.

I understand not wanting to have your tongue cut on. I also understand cutting away as much of the tumor prior to radiation (and chemo if necessary) as being helpful to the treatment process. All I can tell you is to voice your concerns to your doctor early and assertively. Don't just play passive and accept what the doc wants to suggest as your treatment plan.

Whatever you choose, we will be right here with you every step of the way. All you have to do is ask questions, just like you're doing.

Best of luck. It will be a bumpy road either way you go, but it is entirely doable.

Tony

Hi Jonesj - you've come to the right place for great support and information. My son also had SCC Stage 2 on the right side and under his tongue. He had only 1/6 of his tongue removed and right after surgery, his doctor said the tongue would "regenerate" but I think it was more like the tongue spreads out to fit the space it is in. He had surgery and radiation (no chemo) and doing fine, now 7 years later. He did have a very rough time of it during radiation treatment and did not have a feeding tube, but I can see from all I've learned on this forum that it could have helped him get through treatment a lot better. Sometimes the feeding tube is only for a short time. Stay with us and let us know what's happening.