Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#115651 04-18-2010 07:48 PM
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2
CarterL Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2
My mother had tongue cancer almost 5 years ago. A portion of her tongue was removed with no reconstruction. She underwent as much radiation as was allowed. She just got her sense of taste back. Now, the cancer is back. After her surgery a month ago we were told it was field cancerization. Now, after being referred to a specialist there is a tumor attached to the jaw bone. I'm overwhelmed by all the information regarding a fibula flap. Her surgery is scheduled for May 5th.


CG of Mother, Christine, not a smoker or drinker
Tongue cancer, left 1/3 of tongue removed 2005
Thyroid cancer, removed 2007
Breast cancer, right side mastectomy 10/2009
Tongue cancer, tumor removed, no clean perimeter, sent specialist for further treatment 3/2010
Fibula flap on 5/5/2010
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,219
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,219
Carter,

You will be hearing from some members that have had the same surgery as your mom. You have come to the best source of information and support on the internet.

It would be helpful if you post some information in the signature area of your profile so that everyone reading your posts won't have to keep going back to your original post.

Just go to "My Stuff" above and scroll down to the bottom of the screen.

I wish your mom good luck with her treatment.


Jerry

Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.

"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 701
Likes: 1
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Offline
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 701
Likes: 1
Carter,

My husband had jaw reconstruction surgery with a fibular flap last November. In his original cancer surgery, they removed a portion of his jaw that eventually collapsed after radiation. That deterioration (osteoradionecrosis) made it impossible for him to chew and eat normally. The procedure is complex but very effective.

The fibula is a non weight bearing bone in the lower leg. In the surgery, an Oral/Max removed the necrotic jaw bone, realigned the jaw and placed a titanium bar to hold it together. Meanwhile, the Plastic notched out pieces of bone from the fibula. Along with the notched bone, he also removed the skin, tissue and blood vessels. It is a complete package that will be grafted into the area where the jaw has been removed. The blood vessels are grafted to an artery and vein, usually in the neck.

The donor site on the leg, will get a skin graft from either the thigh or some other area to cover the wound. Clark did have pain in his leg which made the first two weeks difficult to get around. He used a walker and had plenty of pain meds. It is a long procedure from 6 to 10 hours.

There wasn't much bulk to the skin and tissue on his lower leg, and while the surgery was successful in alignment and placement of the bone, the flap of skin had to be replaced. He had an additional surgery on April 5th to re-contour the area on his face with a larger island of skin from his torso.

We are so pleased with the results of the surgeries. He can eat and chew normally and he looks like himself again. He has very little discomfort and it has only been 2 weeks since the last surgery. It was a lot to go through but seeing him with his new jaw and "old" face, it was worth it.

The Plastic Surgeon was really good at explaining everything to us. He even drew pictures that helped us understand what he would be doing.

Clark did not have a trach for either surgery which was great. Keep asking questions. The more you know, the better prepared you will feel. All my best to you and your Mom. And let us know how she is doing. This is a wonderful group of people who can offer lots of information.

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
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
Welcome to OCF, Carter. Im sorry to hear of your mothers illness. Its terribly scary for everyone when cancer returns. If your mother has computer access, please have her join our forum.

I have gone thru a jaw removal and reconstruction. Last August I had an extended stay at the hospital for my 10 hour operation. I now have a jaw made of steel and plenty of battle wounds (scars). Its not an easy surgery to recover from. Im still trying to return to my previous active self.

The docs may take some skin from her wrist area or thighs to use on her face. She may have a feeding tube and a trach. Ask for a possey muir type so she will still be able to talk. It worked for me, thanks to Charm and Pete who told me about it. It may take a long time to heal due to having radiation in this area.

Please ask lots of questions, here are some you may want to ask the doc. How long is the operation? How much of her jaw will be removed? How many docs will be operating? Will she require a feeding tube and a trach? If so can the feeding tube be inserted during the same operation? Is a plastic surgeon going to be helping with the operation? What kind of recovery time is she looking at? Will she need rehab (walking, speech)?

We are here to help you and your mom get thru this. Best of luck with everything.


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2
CarterL Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2
Thank you Christine, Anita and Jerry,

My mom's name is Christine =) We know her surgery will be 12-14 hours. The are removing the center to left side of jaw bone and as much as is necessary to get a clean perimeter. Currently we have met her plastic surgeon and the main cancer surgeon. She will require a feeding tube and trach, which will all be done within the same surgery. I know she is looking at a 7-10 day hospital stay. I will have to ask about further recovery time and rehab. The dr. did say he may use skin from her chest area if he needs skin, which is a possibility.

Thanks for all the information and the questions that I need to ask.

Linda C


CG of Mother, Christine, not a smoker or drinker
Tongue cancer, left 1/3 of tongue removed 2005
Thyroid cancer, removed 2007
Breast cancer, right side mastectomy 10/2009
Tongue cancer, tumor removed, no clean perimeter, sent specialist for further treatment 3/2010
Fibula flap on 5/5/2010

Link Copied to Clipboard
Top Posters
ChristineB 10,507
davidcpa 8,311
Cheryld 5,260
EzJim 5,260
Brian Hill 4,912
Newest Members
Jina, VintageMel, rahul320, Sean916, Megm37
13,103 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums23
Topics18,166
Posts196,921
Members13,103
Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020
OCF Awards

Great Nonprofit OCF 2023 Charity Navigator OCF Guidestar Charity OCF

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5