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#58411 05-28-2006 05:56 AM
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minniea Offline OP
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If we can get hearts and, now, entire faces, why can't we have salivary gland transplants? Has anyone ever done a study on this?


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.
#58412 05-28-2006 12:28 PM
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Hi Minniea,
There are a couple of items in the news section of the OCF that relate to this.

While I've not seen any information about a salivary gland transplant, there are studies where the glands are removed before radiation and replaced afterward, and one talks about genetically repairing salivary tissue genetically after treatment.

Here are the links:

http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/news/story.asp?newsId=632

and
http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/news/story.asp?newsId=57

You ask a very good question. Best, Sheldon


Dx 1/29/04, SCC, T2N0M0
Tx 2/12/04 Surgery, 4/15/04 66 Gy. radiation (36 sessions)
Dx 3/15/2016, SCC, pT1NX
Tx 3/29/16 Surgery
#58413 05-28-2006 02:27 PM
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I have also heard of a surgical procedure where the salivary gland is moved to a different location but left connected somehow, out of the radiation field.


Gary Allsebrook
***********************************
Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
#58414 05-28-2006 03:52 PM
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minniea Offline OP
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Thanks for the replies Sheldon and Gary. The articles were good. I know lack of saliva isn't life threatening BUT it is life altering. If we can transplant hearts, we should be able to do the same with a salivary gland. I wonder why that hasn't been done yet? Is it due to the lack of "knowing" out in the big world about oral cancer and it's after effects?


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.
#58415 05-29-2006 12:16 AM
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Hi Minnie,

Right after getting over my surgery I started email contact with a Dr. Andy Wolff in Israel who is the developer of a device to stimulate saliva production. See this article on the OCF website:

http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/news/story.asp?newsId=626#top

I tried to get involved in the US testing of this product, but I'm not sure if that has even ocurred yet. I started emailing him last June and then contacted him again in November. He had promised to keep me in the loop, but I have not heard from him since then.

I have sent off an email to him this morning and will let you know what he has to say.

Jerry


Jerry

Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.

"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
#58416 05-29-2006 06:02 AM
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minniea Offline OP
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Jerry, I remember reading this article last year and then never heard anymore about it. Just seems to me that the salivary issue is a solveable one, given the many other medical miracles taking place in our day and age. Please let me know if you hear anymore on it.


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.
#58417 05-29-2006 04:04 PM
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Minnie,

Again good luck tomorrow.

I got an email response from Israel today and Andy said that he is still working on FDA approval. I will keep the forum posted when I hear anything else. He has promised to keep me posted.

Coincidentally, Andy mentioned that he heard Brian speak in Puerto Rico this month and was impressed with his speech. Certainly not the first time I've heard that about Brian.

Jerry


Jerry

Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.

"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
#58418 05-31-2006 04:11 AM
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To All,

I neglected to give a link to the Saliwell website. It is: www.saliwell.com. You may find this to be very interesting, especially if you have xerostomia.

Jerry


Jerry

Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.

"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
#58419 06-04-2006 07:05 AM
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Hi minniea - I didn't have a salivary gland transplant but I did get mine "relocate" under my chin so radiation wouldn't affect it. Fortunately, after my radical neck dissection my Drs feel they got everything I will be monitored for the next while. I could have chosen another method, which was a medication to activate the saivary gland throughout radiation - I didn't really hear great sucess with that so I opted for the other. The salivary gland transfer is being tested by my Dr. - Dr. Jha and his partner at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton Alberta, Canada. They have a website if you wanted to contact them. regards, terry

#58420 06-04-2006 02:14 PM
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To All,

I've been informed by Dr. Wolff in Israel, that the link above is not working. He has no idea why. You can, however, type it directly into your browser and it should work.

Jerry


Jerry

Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.

"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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