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Joined: Nov 2007
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I was wondering if any woman who has had a neck dissection and/or radiation to her neck has had any plastic surgery to her face or has been advised about whether to do so or not by her doctor. I was thinking I might want to get a mini lift and called my surgeon. His nurse spoke with him and said that he thought it would be a bad idea, specifically because of the radiation, that it would be actually "hazardous." So I was curious if anyone had this experience or advice.

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I don't think so...I had "scar revision surgery" to get rid of the trach scar and even up my neck which was a modified face lift. They evened up my neck which was very distored after neck full glossectomy dissection and radiation. My Dr. was a professor at UCSF who did everything (facelifts nosejobs etc) but specialized in helping cancer patients. Like people who have lost a lip part of thier face etc to cancer. There are plastic surgeon who have experience working with head and neck cancer patients. I had radiaiton from the top of my ears all the way down to my clavical. I think you


Tongue Cancer T2 N0 M0 /
Total Glossectomy Due to Location of Tumor

Finished all treatments May 25 2007
Surviving!!!
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i think you just need to find someone who has experience working w cancer patients


Tongue Cancer T2 N0 M0 /
Total Glossectomy Due to Location of Tumor

Finished all treatments May 25 2007
Surviving!!!
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My RO told me that if I planned to have some work done to my neck to get rid of my remaining turkey chin that I need to get someone who is very familiar with radiation damaged skin, otherwise leave it alone. Even with an experienced doc as I mentioned above he's still not keen on it. Radiation damages (weakens) the blood vessels and it makes healing more difficult.


David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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I'm also contemplating seeing about a minor face lift. The surgeon who did my total laryngectomy and second neck dissection on my radiated skin has given me a name of another plastic surgeon in the HUP system that has experience doing surgery on people who have had radiation. If I ever get around to making the appointment, I'll let you know what he says. I'm curious as to what you find out.

Take care,
Eileen


----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
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Eileen,

Who is the Plastic Surgeon at HUP?

Anita


Anita (68)
CG to husband, Clark, 79,
DX SCC 11/07, T4N0Mx, PEG 1/08, RAD, post rad infection 3/08,
HBOT 40 dives, ORN, Surg 11/09 mandibulectomy w/fibular graft.
Plastic Surg 4/10, 12/10, 3/11, 10/11, 4/12, 10/12. All PETS clear,
PEG out 1/11. 6/11 non union jaw fracture
Fractured jaw w/surgery 7/14
Aspiration pneumonia 7/21, 10/22
PEG 7/21
Botox injections
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Anita,
It is Steve Goldstein at Pennsylvania Hospital at 8th and Spruce. I've not been to see him. Why do you ask?

Take care,
Eileen


----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
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If anyone gets more info on this topic, please share with the group. I'm also very interested in getting rid of my turkey neck.
Sandy


Sandy 56, BOT SCC Biopsy 1/21/09 Stage 3, T3NXM0.
Finished 3 cycle induction chemotherapy 4/7/09. (Chisplatin, 5-fu and Texotere). Re-staged 4/20/09,(very successful.) Will start Carboplatin/radiation 2 Gy/5 days/7 weeks (Tomotherapy) starting May 4th. Finished 6/22/09.
OCF member/supporter

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The topic of a face/neck lift came up at our last OC support group meeting. Dr Kevin Brummund a dedicated H&N Oncology Surgeon (and Professor) from the (NIH designated) UCSD Cancer Center was doing a Q&A with the support group.

Dr. Brummund said he didn't recommend any plastic surgery that wasn't absolutely necessary due to healing issues with radiated tissue.

The issue of Dry Mouth also came up and Dr. Brummund said they now recommend acupuncture for acute Dry Mounth and have acupuncturist on staff.




Don
TXN2bM0 Stage IVa SCC-Occult Primary
FNA 6/6/08-SCC in node<2cm
PET/CT 6/19/08-SCC in 2nd node<1cm
HiRes CT 6/21/08
Exploratory,Tonsillectomy(benign),Right SND 6/23/08
PEG 7/3/08-11/6/08
35 TomoTherapy 7/16/08-9/04/08 No Chemo
Clear PET/CT 11/15/08, 5/15/09, 5/28/10, 7/8/11

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Eileen,

Just like to know who is at the top in their field in our area for this sort of thing.

Anita


Anita (68)
CG to husband, Clark, 79,
DX SCC 11/07, T4N0Mx, PEG 1/08, RAD, post rad infection 3/08,
HBOT 40 dives, ORN, Surg 11/09 mandibulectomy w/fibular graft.
Plastic Surg 4/10, 12/10, 3/11, 10/11, 4/12, 10/12. All PETS clear,
PEG out 1/11. 6/11 non union jaw fracture
Fractured jaw w/surgery 7/14
Aspiration pneumonia 7/21, 10/22
PEG 7/21
Botox injections
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