I am now about 2.5 years out from treatment and honestly cannot complain! I feel very fortunate as I have returned to a normal lifestyle and don't have any serious side effects. I do my fluoride trays at least 3x per week, take synthroid every day, and sometimes have issues with fatigue, but other than that I don't have any real side effects from treatment.
However, given the extensive treatment I had, should I brace myself for serious issues in the near future? I know everyone is different, but I guess I am wondering if people that do not have many side effects in the first couple of years after treatment typically do not have additional delayed side effects later on.

I am at a point in my life where I feel like I mostly can put this experience behind me - I feel that I have beaten the cancer and can live a normal life (although I still am very aware of the risk of recurrence and make sure to pay attention to any warning signs). I am only 27 now and hopefully have a long life ahead of me, so I just want to be prepared. Also, I wonder if anyone knows whether long term side-effects are worse for younger patients diagnosed with cancer (since we have a very long time ahead of us for side effects to develop), or if younger patients fare better because their bodies can adapt better.

I have asked my doctor about this and he seemed to think I should be fine, but given all of the posts I read on this website I am hesitant to trust this opinion 100% - I have found that doctors are not always the best source of information regarding long-term side effects.

I do not mean any offense when I refer to younger vs older patients, there are just very few statistics/little information available regarding young oral cancer patients, since it is a pretty small demographic.

Thanks for your help!

Emily, its great that you are doing so well. Keep up the great work!!!

As far as long term after effects, hopefully this will not be an issue for you. Your age (as far as I know) seems to be an asset. Younger patients tend to bounce back quicker and are able to go on to manage their health very well. Im sorry but I dont know of any studies that have been done to scientifically prove this. Its what Ive seen on this forum over the years. But there are always exceptions to every rule, some Stage I patients will struggle and pass away while other Stage IV patients sail right thru and survive. No rhyme or reason except everyone is different and will respond in their own unique way to everything.

Go out and live your life to its fullest. You are a survivor and hopefully you will have many, many happy, healthy years ahead

Emily, like Christine says, you are really doing well. Don't worry about the future. It will get here eventually. Enjoy every day.

I am curious why the dental trays are only used 3 times a week. I never got any but I've used Prevident 5000 once a day for several years and then 2 times daily.

Emily,

Everything sounds super. At 2.5 years you are on the nearly to the "cured" point statistically. I've not read any studies on occurrence of long term side effects either.

The one thing I do know is age and health are factored into the treatment being recommended. The younger you are the more the selected treatment will strive to balance efficacy vs side effects.

Stay vigilant but put all the nasty thoughts in the closet and enjoy life!

Thanks for y'all's encouragement! I definitely know my age was an asset getting through treatment; however, I could see it going either way in the long-run (as I hopefully have another 60 years to develop side effects!)

Uptown, I know that I should probably be doing my fluoride trays every day, I am just very busy these days and have trouble finding the time! However, I go to the dentist 3-4 times per year, keep my teeth clean, and have only had 1 cavity since I first finished treatment. I have asked my dentist if I need to be doing my trays every day, but he said my teeth are looking very good so what I am doing should be sufficient. This was just my dentist and not my dental oncologist though... could I be doing long term damage now by not doing my trays daily, even if my teeth are healthy now? I haven't seen my dental oncologist since I first finished treatment, so I haven't been able to ask this question.


Don, as far as age being factored into treatment plans, I think some doctors take that into consideration; however, my doctor told me that historically young patients have had poorer prognoses because doctors have tried to take less aggressive treatment approaches to try and negate their long term QOL issues; however, younger patients with no side effects tend to have more aggressive tumors so their overall survival has not been good.
Based on this, my doctors, family and I all agreed that we wanted to take the most aggressive treatment plan to make sure we got everything the first time.

I know I am so fortunate and blessed to have gotten such good care and to be doing so well now, I can't complain about anything. I am just an accountant and like to be prepared

Emily, you may not be doing damage, per se, but you are providing less protection from the dry mouth issues. I would call your dental oncologist and pose the question. If he already said do it every day, you have the answer and don't need to ask. Protect the teeth at all cost. The complications later may or may not happen but at least you wouldn't second guess your decision.

I've been told my teeth are great and no cavities so far in 11 years. I did get to shell out about $20,000 out of pocket to save some after one broke off at the gum. The broken one had serious abfractions but no cavity. Even gingivitis from gum issues won't be fun after rads.

I am new to the forum and told I am in the last week before beginning radiation. Have been to the dentist and received resin deflectors for my teeth and fluoride trays for later. Told I will have 35 treatments (7 weeks) and that I will still be pretty much out of it for several weeks after that. This is throat cancer (P16) diagnosed after tonsils were removed. Chemo port and feeding tube are in my future but don't know exactly when. Mask was molded last week and I return this week but I don't know if they will start radiation until next Monday. What should I expect over the next three months? We have to move by 12-15 and I don't know if I will have the energy to do so. Also told to expect to lose 40-60 pounds which sounds like a lot. Just looking for some input from anyone who has been through this as to what to expect so I can make plans before 3-4 weeks of treatment have happened. I would rather know the worst I should expect and don't sugar coat it. I'm tough and I can handle what I know about. What I don't know bothers me. Any input is appreciated.

Lloyd, if you move this, and make your own separate post you will get more responses to your questions. Good luck.