Any helpful advice? - 09-30-2013 03:55 PM
Hi,
I've read this board for awhile but first time posting. I'm looking for some possible advice. My partner was diagnosed with Stage III tongue cancer (secondary to chronic gvhd due to a bone marrow transplant from childhood leukemia). He had a partial glossectomy, ipsalateral neck dissection and radiation with clear scans since Feb of this year. Last month he started having parasthesia on the side of his tongue where the tumor was removed. He went to see his oral surgeon and had an MRI and everything looked ok. He went back this month for a follow up and had severe pain at the base of his tongue with palpation. Dr said he wanted to do another MRI. I've noticed since then he has been complaining the pain is getting worse especially when he eats. He has also been getting more lymph edema. He had it severely after radiation and neck dissection, but hasn't had any issues with it for a few months until recently. His speech is also harder to understand although that has been the case for a few months.
Are these common side effects or possible signs of a reoccurrence? Could it have come back that fast after a clean scan? He refuses to call his Dr and try to make an appointment because he says he would rather not know because he knows it will be bad news. Any suggestions for ways of support or encouragement to make the appt? I know it is his decision to make, but avoiding it seems like it would only be worse.
Thank you all for your help!
This seems like a very supportive place and I know it has been very helpful to me reading it the past few months.
I've read this board for awhile but first time posting. I'm looking for some possible advice. My partner was diagnosed with Stage III tongue cancer (secondary to chronic gvhd due to a bone marrow transplant from childhood leukemia). He had a partial glossectomy, ipsalateral neck dissection and radiation with clear scans since Feb of this year. Last month he started having parasthesia on the side of his tongue where the tumor was removed. He went to see his oral surgeon and had an MRI and everything looked ok. He went back this month for a follow up and had severe pain at the base of his tongue with palpation. Dr said he wanted to do another MRI. I've noticed since then he has been complaining the pain is getting worse especially when he eats. He has also been getting more lymph edema. He had it severely after radiation and neck dissection, but hasn't had any issues with it for a few months until recently. His speech is also harder to understand although that has been the case for a few months.
Are these common side effects or possible signs of a reoccurrence? Could it have come back that fast after a clean scan? He refuses to call his Dr and try to make an appointment because he says he would rather not know because he knows it will be bad news. Any suggestions for ways of support or encouragement to make the appt? I know it is his decision to make, but avoiding it seems like it would only be worse.
Thank you all for your help!
This seems like a very supportive place and I know it has been very helpful to me reading it the past few months.