Hi All,

I hope to get some answers here. My mother was diagnosed with Stage 1 tongue cancer 3 months back.They first performed a surgery at the tumor site on July 18th and removed the cancer.The doctors informed us it would be atleast a month before they can go for radiation therapy.Within 3 weeks of the surgery another lump/sore appeared next to the surgery site.On August 23rd they began brachytherapy treatment and the 2nd tumor was gone.There were some side-effects like ulceration but she was recuperating from that as well.But today my mom was complaining of another tumor somewhere near the tip of the tongue. She said that the pain was similar to the pain that she initially experienced.I am not sure if this is a recurrence or is this just one of the side-effects. The hospital is located far off from where we live, so it would be another week before we can go to the doctors again. Please advise.

Even though it is a long trip, I think you will both feel better if you have the latest pain/tumor checked out as soon as possible. If it is more cancer, the sooner your mom is seen the better, of course, and if it is not, you will be able to stop worrying. Either way, make an appointment quickly.

Thanks for that Joanna. I surely would do that, but I have little or no information about the normal side effects of brachytherapy(internal radiation). I think it might be a side-effect of the treatment but cannot say that for sure.We plan to fly down to the hospital by this weekend but I hope to get a 3rd opinion before I see the docs. Has anyone here undergone brachytherapy?

I had brachytherapy, but it was at the end of my radiation treatment (after 34 conventional external beam treatments). By the time I had brachytherapy, I was already suffering many of the typical radiation side effects -- mouth sores, thrush, swallowing problems, dry mouth, etc., so I didn't sense much of any incremental effect from the brachytherapy.

Cathy

Thanks for your comment Cathy. I finally got some one who has undergone Brachytherapy... In my mother's case they thought a surgery and brachytherapy was enough since it had not spread to the lymphnodes. Do you think external radiation is necessary? i am not sure if the treatment was enough... I hope you are all well now...

Mommysgirl,

As a non-professional in the medical field, I really can't say whether your mother's treatment is sufficient (although it does seem that many Stage I tumors are successfully treated with surgery only). Is her medical team at one of the major cancer centers? If she has a team of head and neck cancer specialists (including surgical, radiation and chemo doctors), who have reached a consensus on the approach to use in her case, that should give you some comfort.

Cathy