| | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) |  "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | Hey there! deejers beat me to what is was going to say - granted smoking can very likely kill you - if not from oral cancer - then from lung - however its very possible your cancer is HPV related based on your age and location. That said quitting smoking is very beneficial. I since it will increase your O2 level during radiation which is a benefit to healing, and has a direct impact on survival - studies show that the survival rate for people who quit smoking and increased their oxygen levels by walking once a day during radiation are higher over 5 years.not only that radiation (the standard treatment for HPV related cancer) sucks big time so once it's over picking up a cigarette not only might be quite painful but probably dangerous. Try not to freak out.... It isn't cancer until the biopsy says it is - as everyone here has said. But if it is we're here... And definitely look to be treated quickly and at a ccc - take care.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 6 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 6 |
Thanks all for the support, I find out results tomorrow.
Assuming the worst, is it possible to have dental implants for extracted teeth put in at the time of removal prior to radiation treatment? Or are crowns a better idea? I have a number of molars that have fillings and do not want to loose them all.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 711 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 711 | IF you have to go through radiation, your oncologist will probably send you to a dentist to get any issues with your teeth taken care of before tx starts. The dentist will give you a flouride gel and trays to use to coat your teethe. The gel made me feel sick and I didn't use them as I should have and have had 2 teethe break off since my tx. Hopefully your teethe are healthy enuf to withstand the rads, But that's getting a bit ahead of things, hopefully this is much ado about nothing.
David R. 65 yr old male non-smoker, light drinker, stage 3 or 4, depending on which doc you ask, scc rt. tonsil, 2 nodes, 7 weeks radiation and chemo. No surgery. Teatment ended 3/20/08. PET scan 8/08 showed no cancer.
And now, as of oct, 2010, caregiver to wife, Linda, with breast cancer.
May, 2013, Linda diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. Enuf already.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 | Dear Marc, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you! We are all here for you, no matter what the results say. You life will not be over, either way. Here's to hoping that this is just a scare for you to put down the tobacco for good and to help others, as well. I had oral tongue cancer (non- HPV) and never smoked and rarely drank in my life. I'm doing well 16 months later. I just hit a little glitch in that I need my tonsils removed. NOT because I have cancer, it's just a coincidence that I need them removed now at the age of 38...go figure! That might be just what you need, as well! Please keep us posted. Do yourself a favor and call Ingrid, too! She's an amazing lady. There are lots of amazing folks here! Best of luck, Kerri
37 y/o fem at Dx (23 wks preg @ dx on 3/16/11)
SCC L oral tongue (no risk factors)
L partial gloss/MND 3/28/11 @ 25 wks preg
T1-2N0M0; no rads/chemo
Tonsillectomy on 8/6/12 +SCC L tonsil T2-3N1M0 (HPV-)
Treated with 35 rads/7 carbo & taxol (Rx ended 10/31/12), but many hospitalizations d/t complications from rx.
Various scans since rx ended are NED!
Part of genetic study for rare cancers @ MGH.
44 years old now...I wasn't sure I would make it! Hoping for 40 more!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 |
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: Jul 2012 Posts: 6 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 6 | Results were negative, I found out this afternoon. I could not stop the tears afterwards. Biggest wake-up call of my life.
Thanks to all for the support, all of you are truly remarkable in my eyes.
I will never smoke again, who knows what the future holds but if I have people like you for support, anything is possible.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 596 | Yea, Marc! I am SOOOO happy for you! I'm glad that you're taking this as a wake up call. You will make a huge, positive change in your life by quitting smoking. I'm glad that we could help. Please come back any time to check in and let us know how you are doing  . Enjoy your good health! Kerri
37 y/o fem at Dx (23 wks preg @ dx on 3/16/11)
SCC L oral tongue (no risk factors)
L partial gloss/MND 3/28/11 @ 25 wks preg
T1-2N0M0; no rads/chemo
Tonsillectomy on 8/6/12 +SCC L tonsil T2-3N1M0 (HPV-)
Treated with 35 rads/7 carbo & taxol (Rx ended 10/31/12), but many hospitalizations d/t complications from rx.
Various scans since rx ended are NED!
Part of genetic study for rare cancers @ MGH.
44 years old now...I wasn't sure I would make it! Hoping for 40 more!
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | Awesome news! Soooooo happy for you!
Anne-Marie
CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 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: 7 | EXCELLENT news!!!! Congrats on the negative results!!!! So happy you have given up tobacco usage
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: 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 |
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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