| | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 49 "OCF Down Under" Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  "OCF Down Under" Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 49 | I'm having the partial neck dissection next Tuesday. Basically the medical team decided that they couldn't risk leaving the lymph nodes in as they had definite signs of necrosis. I'm also having a centimetre more taken off my tongue (sorry don't know what that is in inches for you US folks!).
So can someone tell me realistically how long I'll be out of action for following surgery? i.e. when can I go back to sports activities?? I have healed pretty well from surgery in the past (for other non related issues). I'm fit and otherwise healthy.
are there photos of scars on this forum anywhere??
Also, what are the indications for radiotherapy?
thanks in advance
Last edited by monicacc; 11-11-2010 05:50 PM.
Monica,33 Mum of 3. Former smoker
SCC right lateral tongue. Intially thought to be cell dysplasia and dx as SCC after surgical excision.
Nov 2010- partial glossectomy (1cm in width), partial neck dissection. Margins clear, nothing found in nodes- YAY! Benign tumor on saliva gland.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | Moni,
As a new member, please take the time to fill out your signature so the rest of us know what you've been diagnosed with, and what procedures you've had done. It just helps us help you.
Everyone is going to be different in recovery, I know that's kind of a cop out answer but it's true. If you haven't had radiation then it'll be shorter. I've had a ND as well as a follow up surgery that had to reopen the original incision, so my scar is pretty impressive. It looks like I've had my throat cut in a a knife fight. As a guy, I think it's pretty cool and gives me different stories to tell when asked what happened to me. I've seen others on women that were barely noticeable.
Eric
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Monica,
Are they suggesting rad/chemo following the surgery? Nodal involvement takes you to a different Stage, probably a III and most likely concurrent chemo/radiation.
How big was the Primary in the tongue?
How many nodes showed necrosis?
How did they determine the nodal necrosis?
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.
| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 720 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2006 Posts: 720 Likes: 1 | [quote=monicacc]Also, what are the indications for radiotherapy? [/quote] The main part of the OCF site contains a wealth of information, including the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's annual guidelines for head and neck cancer treatment. These were developed by the NCCN, an alliance of 21 leading cancer centers in the U.S., and represent the latest thinking in the U.S. on cancer treatment. The guidelines cover many different types of oral cancers, so make sure you are looking at the right page (table of contents is on p. 3 of the guidelines).
Leslie
April 2006: Husband dx by dentist with leukoplakia on tongue. Oral surgeon's biopsy 4/28/06: Moderate dysplasia; pathology report warned of possible "skip effect." ENT's excisional biopsy (got it all) 5/31/06: SCC in situ/small bit superficially invasive. Early detection saves lives.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | We are all different and your state of mind will help in the decision of long long you will be slowed down. I just had an aortic abdominal anneurysm repaired. Besides having a half purple body , a couple of transfusions and a few very touchy spots, I am back to my usual routine almost. I'm not tough but determined. Eric. Knife fight without your knife huh? I love how you state that. LOL You always give me a smile when I need one. Thanks
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 | Monica, welcome to OCF. Wishing you the best of luck with yoru upcoming surgery.
ChristineSCC 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  | | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,406 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,406 | Monica, my thoughts are with you. As others have said, recoup time from surgery is variable. As for scars - for me they're no big thing, one vertical and one horizontal, although the skin is tighter on that side so I'm a bit assymetrical! But surgeons today are great at minimizing scarring.
Please keep us posted.
David2
David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 14 years all clear in 6/23 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,301 "OCF Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,301 | Hi Monica,
I knew your operation was coming up tomorrow (Tuesday our time)
and just wanted to wish you all the very best.
I also posted this on your other thread (under Medications, Treatment, Procedures) as you have 2 current at the moment.
Hope all goes well and I will be looking for your next post.
Gabriele
History Leukoplakia bx 8/2006 SCC floor mouth T3N0M0- Verrucous Carcinoma.
14 hour 0p SCC-Right ND/excision/marginal mandibulectomy 9/2006, 4 teeth removed, flap from wrist, trach-ng 6 days- no chemo/rad.
6 ops and debulking (flap/tongue join) + bx's 2006-2012.
bx Jan 2012 Hyperkeratosis-Epithelial Dysplasia
24cm GIST tumour removed 8/2013. Indefinite Oral Chemo.
1/31/16 passed away peacefully surrounded by family
| | | | | Joined: May 2010 Posts: 224 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: May 2010 Posts: 224 | I had a right side neck dissection, and I have pictures posted on my facebook. I am 7 months out from surgery and 4 months out from radiation. After surgery for me, i think i was eating ok and what not maybe 2 months after, but they took the whole right side of my tongue, after radiation i think it was a month or 2 again and i was eating well again. But it all depends on the person and the surgery, no 2 are the same, well as for time frames!
I wish you luck and hope for smooth quick recovery and hope you don't have to have radiation, but if you do, it will just help you be more confident that this won't happen again!!
25/female at diagnosis
Dx;stage 3 SCC tongue 03/25/2010
Surgery 04/13/2010
Trach,ng tube, peg feeding tube
Hemiglossectomy, right side neck dissection, 40 lymph nodes removed. Free-Flap transplant to tongue.
30 rounds IMRT ended July 15,2010
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 17 "OCF across the pond" Member | | "OCF across the pond" Member
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 17 | I had a neck dissection at the same time as my glossectomy. 7 months on, the scar is looking very faded and the lingering side effects are a region of numbness on my cheek and ear-lobe. Initally this was quite disturbing and uncomfortable at night since I usually slept on my side with that ear downwards. But it has improved steadily and now I have no discomfort really, just a strange sensation when I shave the rather sparse beard (following radiotherapy). The neck is stiff a little stiff and slightly rigid to touch but I think quite a lot of that is also the radiotherapy not just the neck dissection. As I'm sure they have told you there are risks of complications, particularly damage to the accessory nerve which can result in restricted movement of the shoulder. I had some physio which cured my initial problems and my shoulder is as good as before. Hope this makes you feel a little easier about the prospect.
Martin
Diagnosed Early April 2010 SCC left tongue t3n1
PEG insertion 26th April 2010
Patial glossectomy with flap from arm and left neck dissection 28th April
20 sessions of radiotherapy in June
PEG removal Today - yippee! 19th Nov
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