Okay, I who am lucky enough to have never needed any surgery and who have not had anything disfiguring done to me since I was diagnosed with base of tongue cancer, feel a little guilty discussing issues of vanity....but I do have a question. After losing approximately 15 pounds, I am at 155 lbs. skinnier than I have been since junior year of high school...but a couple of days ago I noticed that I have developed a fat neck with a double chin...my profile is beginning to look more live Oliver Hardy than I want to confess, even though I am otherwise relatively scrawny.( it does not appear to have been like this in photos taken in Sept).
The area that has enlarged, almost making my dress shirts tight, is the exact area where my tumor was located and where I received lots of radiation. My question is this: Has anyone else experienced this? Is it the result of the radiation treatment? Is it permanent? Should I have been more diligent in doing the exercises given me by the swallow therapist in stretching my neck muscles? Will I ever be pretty again?

Danny G.

Danny, you are lovely.

I cannot recall whether or not you had the neck dissection. If so, the lymph makes double chins, but eventually recedes. I had the surgery and by evening, I have a fat neck, but not as fat as a month ago. I hope this helps, and hope that someone who really knows the answer will reply (grin).
Joanna