Hello,

My dad has been recently dx with Stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth involving 4 lymph nodes. He has recently (Jan) undergone surgical removal of the mandible and lymph nodes and currently doing radiation tx (12 treatment). First he had scar tissue in the left cheek which caused swelling on the left side. Now this swelling has left the check and is in the throat area. He describes the feeling of having broken bottles pieces moving in the throat area. It is particularly uncomfortable when he talks alot. Help! Has anyone gone through the same or similiar experience that can help my dad. Thank you.

When I was going thru treatment, my rad onc told me my throat would feel like there was broken glass in in toward the end of treatment. He was right. I had 33 radiation treatments and the last week of treatment was tough. I was unable to swallow anything for about 2-3 days when treatment ended. I remained functional throughout my entire treatment and did not get a feeding tube. Is your dad on his 12th treatment or is he finished? This was my experience. I hope it helps.

Thanks for responding.
My dad is on his 13th treatment of 33. So he is not at the end yet and he is experiencing this pain. He is getting IMRT. He is not on a feeding tube because they only give feeding tubes to patient receiving chemo also. What did you do about the feeling of broken glass.

I can't believe that your father has had his mandible removed and the doctors have not provided him with a PEG feeding system to keep his nutrition up. How do they expect him to eat anything? If your dad has lost weight, I would be complaining to them about this.

They said they want him to continue swallowing. If he had taken the chemotherapy with the radiation, he would have had to get a peg. My dad is a champ. I puree all his food or liquify it and he doesn't care about taste. He just eats it. He also has a few (at least 6) Ensure Plus a day. He weight has remained constant since the surgery.

I was given liquid vicodin only for pain and in hindsight, probably could have used something stronger. Your dad has a long way to go in his treatment. I'm with Brian...I would talk to Dr about a feeding tube as well as pain management issue.

Hi Kelley,

Again, thanks for responding. What did you do about the broken glass feeling? This makes my dad crazy and spooks me out. Again, he has only had 13 radiation treatments.

Geo,

That broken glass feeling is PAIN that needs to be controlled. There are not too many posting here that did not require major pain meds (Fentenyl) at some point mid-treatment...about where your dad is. Please push the docs and have that pain management in place...he needs more than he is getting.

Deb

My mom described the feeling as having little men with swords slashing in her mouth and throat. She was given meds all through her tx's. Her Ro had her on neurontin for nerve pain, oxycodone for pain, duragesic patch for nerve pain...she is still on all these meds, though the little men seem to have left finally!
I agree with everyone, push the docs. I also would push about the feeding tube, he can still eat by mouth and swallow through exercises and such.