#18454 08-18-2005 08:37 AM | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 20 Member | OP Member Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 20 | I have stage 1 oropharyngeal cancer and am just through with 30 IMRT treatments as of july 5th. I go back to my ENT Aug. 30th for another petscan and a checkup. The lymphnode did not go away and have a neck dissection scheduled for Sept. 16th. The doctors took out my tonsils first to find the primary but that came back negative. A petscan turned up the primary below where the tonsils were but just above the epiglottis. I was 40 when diagnosed and have three great kids and a wonderful wife. I am somewhat worried about the dissection and of course recurrence. I have never had surgery before the tonsils. would like to know what to expect after the neck dissection. sorry for the rambling but this is my first time in a chat room of any kind. | | |
#18455 08-18-2005 09:45 AM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | Hello MG, Welcome to our little world. I too was 40 when diagnosed, with three great kids and a wonderful wife so I guess we have several things in common. There are many here that have had the neck dissection and it is an operation that sounds worse than it is. Many of us were out of the hospital in 3 days some 4 or 5 days. Pain is usually not severe in fact the tonsillectomy was far worse for me than the dissection. If you can ask your surgeon if he/she plans to do a "modified" radical neck dissection, you will experience less long-term side effects if they leave the accessory nerve intact. Do not fear rambling, we do it all the time.
Take care
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
| | |
#18456 08-18-2005 03:36 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 | Hi, MG, just wanted to add a note that my husband had a bilateral neck dissection [during his tumor removal surgery]. The drain to help control swelling was the only thing that really bugged him, as he d oesn't like being "hooked" to anything. His incision was closed with staples, and 1\2 were removed before he left the hospital. There was alot of swelling in his neck for a few weeks at home and some minor irritation at the incision, but we used lots of Aquaphor. We bought a good electric razor, which helped with sensitive area shaving.The rest of his staples were removed in a couple of weeks. The dissection did not interfere with eating. At the present time,almost 4 mo's after surgery, John's incision area is very hard, maybe numb[he can't tell] itchy because of stray hairs that are hard to see and shave, BUT not a major problem. In our experience, rad. tx's were much worse than the neck dissection. I think You will be O.K. Amy
CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease
:
| | |
#18457 08-18-2005 07:54 PM | Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 | Hi MG, I was 41 when diagnosed and am now 2 1/2 years out from my neck dissection. While my neck on that side is tighter and I lost some range of motion, I have full use of my shoulder and arm. The surgery I had was easy compared to the radition. Good luck with it. Minnie
SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.
| | |
#18458 08-19-2005 10:25 AM | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 150 Gold Member (100+ posts) | Gold Member (100+ posts) Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 150 | Wow! I am so proud and happy for you that you are finished with the radiation. My father is 4 weeks into it with 15 more treatments to go. This site is awesome, I encourage frequent visits. From what I've heard, the dissection is a piece of cake.
Dad Treated for T2N1M0 Tonsil Cancer August 2005. 35 IMRT radiation, 3 doses Cisplatin. Selective Modified Neck Dissection November.
| | |
#18459 08-19-2005 01:13 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Hello MG,
Use the search engine at the top of the page for neck dissections. There are as best I know three different kinds of them. I had the reguler one where they split me from the bottom of my lower lip down to my adams apple and across to right below my right ear. There was very little pain with it and it heals quite fast. I hope this is true in your case.
As far as being worried about a recurrence I would concentrare on getting rid of the first one. It is a most unforgiving diaease. It can be a rocky road but many of us have traveled it and survived. You can to!!!
The more knowledge you have about your diaease the better prepared you will be for any side effects from treatment. You can ask any question you can think of and someone will reply with similer treatment. You are now part of one huge international cyber family going thru basically the same thing. (Oral Cancer) I see from your posting that you are member number 2310. I joined a little over two years ago and am number 853. We continue to grow which allows us to help more people and hopefully get the word out, "Early Detection Saves Lifes"
Welcome again, Danny Boy
Daniel Bogan DX 7/16/03 Right tonsil,SCC T4NOMO. right side neck disection, IMRT Radiation x 33.
Recurrance in June 05 in right tonsil area. Now receiving palliative chemo (Erbitux) starting 3/9/06
Our good friend and loved member of the forum has passed away RIP Dannyboy 7-16-2006
| | |
#18460 08-19-2005 05:41 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | Danny has a point ... actually there are two search engines that would give you lots of information. The one in the main site will take you to a page that talks about the different types of neck dissections, and the one on the message board here that will take you to all the previous question about neck dissections. Of course posting your question will also yield help from those that have comments, but a review of what's available is always a good starting point.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant. | | |
#18461 08-23-2005 04:30 AM | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 20 Member | OP Member Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 20 | thanks for all your help, advice and support. Ifeel much better about things and am ready to get this next stage done. I have a petscan scheduled for the 30th and my surgery for sept 16th. Ijust found out a good friend of mine,60 years old, has mantle lymphoma in his neck nodes and will undergo chemo and other treatments starting next week. i have been able to support him and that makes me feel better,like this happened for a reason. I am going to give him this website as well | | |
#18462 08-24-2005 01:40 AM | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 207 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | Platinum Member (200+ posts) Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 207 | Hi All,
The neck disection is not as bad as it sounds. I had little pain and the suction devises did not bother me. I had no staples as they glued me up totaly.
For all that have had the disection or are comtemplating same, consider PT. I am currently having physical therapy for the shoulder and scar area. I good PT will do wonders for scar tissue, muscle strenght, and shoulder mobility after surgery. I highly recommend PT if your ENT or other MD will prescribe. I have certainly benefitted.
Steve
SCC, base of tongue, 2 lymph nodes, stage 3/4. 35 X's IMRT radiation, chemo: Cisplatin x 2, 5FU x2, & Taxol x2. Hooray, after 3 years I'm in still in remission.
| | |
#18463 08-24-2005 05:22 AM | Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 153 Gold Member (100+ posts) | Gold Member (100+ posts) Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 153 | No answer or advice. I just wanted to wish you the very best and let you know you have a large cheering section via this website. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts. Tonya
Sister of 32 year-old oral cancer victim. Our battle is over but the war rages on. My brother passed July 26, 2005. He was a smokeless tobacco user.
| | |
Forums23 Topics18,168 Posts196,925 Members13,103 | Most Online458 Jan 16th, 2020 | | | |