Hello,
My husband was diagnosed with Stage 2 tongue cancer last January. He received surgery and six weeks of radiation. Not a month later the cancer was back (or had hidden itself). We went to MD Anderson in Houston and they told us the tumor is massive (involving most of the tongue), though it hasn't spread past his tongue. They said they want to do chemotherapy to shrink the tumor and then reevaluate in three months to see if it shrank to the point it can be surgically removed. One doctor used the term 'palliative.' I've looked this up online and I'm confused. Is this similar to hospice care? Any answers given are greatly appreciated.
Trisha

Welcome to OCF, Trisha! Im very glad you have discovered our site thru your internet searching. We have been thru many similar experiences ourselves so we understand most situations oral cancer (OC) patients and caregivers go thru. Im very sorry to read about what you and your husband have been going thru. You are in the best place to get info and support.

First, I want to explain a little about our group. Please understand, we do not have medical backgrounds so its not always easy to answer complex questions. Our group is made up of OC patients/survivors and caregivers. Its not an easy task trying to explain snippets from test results or a treatment plan. Even if given the entire test or summary, without years of medical school, clinical patient experience, complete medical history, etc we simply arent qualified. We help others by using our own experiences and things we have learned from others on this site.

Im very glad to see your husband is being treated at one of the countrys top facilities. He's at a Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCC) where it attracts the brightest minds and they are the best place to be for situations like what your husband is in. The treatment plan was created by using a team based approach so all the specialists are working together on each individuals case.

The treatment plan of using chemo to shrink the tumor is commonly done for large tumors. Then doing surgery after the tumor has shrunk is attempting to cure his cancer. From what you explained, your husband medical team is attempting to cure his cancer by shrinking the tumor then surgically removing it. By itself, chemo does not normally eliminate an OC tumor. Most OCs are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and do not always respond to just chemo. If they are attempting to eliminate his cancer that is not at all the same as hospice or palliative care.

Hospice is a group that will help make someone's final days easier. They work with terminal patients to keep them comfortable. Hospice also helps families to better understand the stages of dying and make it as easy as possible for all involved. Palliative care is for patients who do not have any options to cure their cancer. Palliative care is when a treatment is given just to sustain the patient to give them a longer lifespan by keeping the tumor stable so its not continuing to grow.

Below is a link to our main OCF site which has page after page of info to help you better understand about OC, treatments, etc. You can spend hours reading thru tons of factual info complied. You can also get to our main OCF site by clicking on OCF website on the bottom left of any page.

Wishing you and your husband the very best with everything.

Main OCF site, Understanding Oral Cancer


PS... As a caregiver, you have a very difficult job! Its not easy taking care of someone you love and going thru this with him. Please dont forget to take some time just for you even if its only a short walk around the block.

Trisha: I found a definition on-line that may clarify the statement. Here is a partial quote;

"Palliative care.....to provide an extra layer of support. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness, and it can be provided along with curative treatment."

You can rest assured that he is in great hands at M. D. Anderson
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Thank you so much for responding! I'm happy to see everyone believes Norman is in great hands at MD Anderson. I understand you're not doctors or healthcare professionals but sometimes it just helps to chat, feel you're not alone in this. Now if I can just get my husband to schedule his chemo (both our parents underwent chemo and the memories aren't pleasant for either of us), maybe we'll finally start kicking this thing's ass! Again, thanks for getting in touch and answering my concerns.

You're welcome!

You and your husband are not alone any longer. We are here to help, listen and try to offer insights from things we've learned during our battles. You found a safe place where we completely understand what you are going thru. Its ok to vent, we get it. We've been down the same roads ourselves.

Best wishes with everything!!!