| | Joined: Aug 2014 Posts: 1 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Aug 2014 Posts: 1 | Hi all Im new to the forum and have some questions if I may. I had mouth cancer three years ago which was cured. However the cancer destroyed some of my upper jaw bone on the right side of the mouth and the radiation treatment left a large chunk of scar tissue in the cheek inside the cheek flesh. I just was put on Medicare so am seeking help to have reconstruction surgery done to fix the problem. Also half of my gum was destroyed on the upper right side by the cancer. Can anyone tell me if they had a similar situation and is corrected how was it done or if not do you know how this would be corrected? I have a cat scan scheduled next week before they determine what can be done but would like to have some information from anyone on what can be expected and anything I should know to ask the doctors when I see them next week. Thank you and hope to here from someone soon. | | | | | 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 | Welcome to OCF!
Are you having some of the jaw bone removed due to osteoradionecrosis? Thats where the jaw bone is damaged from the radiation treatments. If so, have you been going thru hyperbaric oxygen treatments? Thats where you go into a tank and breathe pressurized oxygen for about 2 hours. This should be done prior to having surgery on your upper jaw bone. Patients who have had radiation should be doing 20 "dives" prior to and 10 after the surgery. Its no big deal, just very time consuming.
Sounds like to me, your surgeon could have to move some tissue from your arm or leg to replace the scar tissue. Dont be surprised if a plastic surgeon isnt involved. The surgery could be a long one and you will probably be in the hospital at least a day or 2 depending on how involved this is.
Wishing you all the best with everything!
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: 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 | Hi there - welcome - Christine is probably the best person to talk to regarding this. She's been through a very similar situation hugs and good luck
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
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