big tumor but it is localized and I am hopeful. I'm 33 recently married and a light drinker and non-smoker. Very sad.

misskate,

Welcome, but sad you are here. What are the treatment options your are discussing with your Drs? Have you had 2nd opinions? Tell us your story...

I'm at UCSF. Several opinions. I definitely have to get surgery , tongue reconstruction, lymph nodes removed and radiation therapy abd now maybe chemo with the radiation because I am young and they want to insure that they get it all out so I have more chance of surviving. So I have a long tough road ahead of me. I just finished up work- took a leave of absence etc- so at least that piece of my life is settled so I can focus on getting through this and getting healthy.

I'm just trying to take each day one by one- and be positive- that's all I can do.

KB,

They didn't offer me surgery for my primary BOT cancer although I did have a neck disection and many nodes removed. If they would have offered me surgery I would have taken it. They said because of where the cancer was located and size surgery wouldn't be prudent. I wanted to throw the kitchen sink at this, so I had radiation and chemo.

You do have a long tough road ahead of you. It's good that you are in a position where you can take leave from work and focus on yourself. There are many folks around here to help and support you through this. Just let us know what you need.

Godspeed on your journey.

Tim

KB,

Mine was big & spread out. Like Stoj, I couldn't get surgery and had to go the chemo/rad route. Not the most fun I've ever had, but not as bad as I feared.

I'm a strong believer that knowledge is power. This board is a great resource. Ask away...

Clint

Greetings misskate

My guess is that it is pretty chilly in San Francisco these days?

Its great that you can focus all your energy on the task ahead of you. Your attitude sounds great to me. There are so many folks here on this website that can offer help and support, you are definitely in the right place.

I'm twice your age but I was fortunate that surgery was an option for me. I quit all of my bad habits at age 58, but not soon enough. There is just no escaping your past I suppose.

I'm wishing you all the best on your treatment and recovery.

Russell

Actually Russell it's been pretty nice the last few days with temps in the 70's predicted. The chilly time is during the summer. Mark Twain wrote "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco".

KB,
I was treated ay UCSF as well and still go to Mt. Zion CCC for follow-up. They are the 7th highest ranked CCC and the only public one on the list. They have some top rated docs and researchers there.

Hi: I've just been diagnosed with cancer at base of tongue. Instead of surgury on the tongue (they will remove nodes in neck) they are going to insert radioactive seeds in my tongue and also treat with radioactivity and chemo. You may want to ask about this option. Ed

Hi Gary- How did your treatments go? Who did you do the IMRT with? I'm so so scared for the surgery but know that the radiation and chemo treatments are probably going to be the hardest physcially and emotionally.

I feel likeI am one of the yunger people out there with this disease. I only smoked casually in college and I just drink wine and beer occassionally- not hard alchohol. I don't know how I got this. The Doctors are saying they are seeing it more and more.

misskate,

You may want to have them test you for HPV. We were told recently that, I believe, 70% of new Head and Neck cancer patients tested at John Hopkins tested positive for HPV.

There have been numerous posts on HPV and it's connection to Oral cancer since I have been a member of this site.