 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 | sujubee,
Yes, radiation absolutely causes swelling. I'm surprised that it happened so quickly to your Dad, but my docs have told me the swelling in my left cheek is most likely permanent.
Sadly, the mask has to be tight to prevent even the slightest movement. The radiation has all been mapped out to pinpoint the correct areas and avoid damaging other tissue. In other words, generally, tight is fitting nicely.
- Margaret
Stage IV SCC lt lateral tongue, surgery 5/19/08 (partial gloss/upper neck dissection left side/radial free flap reconstruction) IMRT w/weekly Cisplatin & Erbitux 6/30/08, PEG 1 6/12/08 - out 7/14 (in abdominal wall, not stomach), PEG 2 7/23/08 - out 11/20/08, Tx done 8/18/08
Second SCC tumor, Stage 1, rt mobile tongue, removed 10/18/2016, right neck dissection 12/9/2016
Third SCC tumor, diagnosed, 4/19/2108, rt submandibular mass, HPV-, IMRT w/ weekly Cisplatin, 5/9 - 6/25/2018, PEG 3 5/31/2018
| 
