 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | Yes definitely find out how extensive the surgery is - mine was 2.4 cm x1.4 (depth) I did have perineural involvement - my original CT and MRI showed no spread to my nodes but my dr. Scheduled me for a neck dissection and removed 40 nodes - one did have cancer. My surgery was 14 hrs. Involved a tongue graft and 10 day hospital stay.
You need to find out exactly what your surgery entails. Speech wise I was recovering well then they radiated me so I'm back to square 1. But I can speak - I have a lisp but once the swelling goes down I should be much better!!! Its already improving daily! Good luck. Educate yourself on what to expect here - there's lots of info... And recurrence - depends on the individual... Ignore the numbers and focus on getting through it all! Take care!
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
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