Hello All,

I have a question in regards to a sudden mucositis while I am in treatment for oral cancer recurrence.

When I first underwent treatment, I experienced pretty severe mucositis. It took four months on a PEG to get over it. I started chemo for recurrence back in August-Oct '09. Cisplatin and Taxotere with Tarceva (an experimental suggestion from MD Anderson). I've always had a very sensitive tongue after radiation in '08, but I did not experience much increase in sores or senstivity with this treatment. That treatment didn't seem all that effective, though, and now I am on a Clinical Trial at MD Anderson with Torisel and Avastin. We just dropped the Avastin because of positive results but fistula formation and the idea that Avastin is not likely to be the active drug. We started Tarceva again a week ago, however, because we thought that this drug was helpful in the past.

Just a few days ago, my lips became inflamed, my inner lips, cheeks and tongue are sore, and I'm back on Magic Mouthwash, caphosol, baking soda/salt rinses...etc.

My question is, if this were a "radiation recall" kind of event...have any of you experienced it? I'm assuming it came on suddenly with the combo of Tarceva and Torisel. I'm wondering if my body will adjust to the onslaught though and the mucositis abates a bit. I know most people here won't have experience with the drugs I'm on, but my question is more directly related to "radiation recall" and one's experience with it.

Thank you!
Kristen

26 yo Med student: 9/26/08- biopsy diagnose SCC on rt side of tongue
10/08/08- partial glossectomy and rt sided neck dissection removing 42 nodes, one of which positive for SCC
11/10/08- 7 wks of 33x IMRT, wkly cisplatin and wkly erbitux tx
12/26/08- last day of radiation.
8/5/09- uh oh...