I have a question to throw out here...were any of you having problems with swallowing PRIOR to your diagnosis? My father was diagnosed in May,started treatment 6/28/10 and had his PEG placed last week because his weight loss was already significant. He has had no surgery. (The Dr. feels it would do more damage than good and will use it as a last resource.) Dad had his 2nd dose of chemo this morning (Erbitux) and is starting his 2nd week of radiation as well. What I am wondering is will it be the radiation that makes it worse? Because the tumor has already made it bad enough!?!

Susan

Primary caregiver to 78 yr.old father w/Oral Cancer
SCC
Tumor found May 2010
Left side back of tongue & up into ear canal opening
Biopsy June 3rd 2010
Diagnosed May 2010
No Surgical Removal (As Yet)
Tx 7 weeks (35 Days) of Radiation & Erbitux infusion 7 weeks to run concurrent w/the radiation