 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | I agree with David. Why the ND and the removal of the saliva gland? Unless the gland has cancer, do NOT let them remove the saliva gland. They used to do this on a routine basis because they assumed it would not funtion anyway after radiation. This is no longer standard protocol. Defintely question them on this. You'll need all the saliva you can get.
I wish you luck on your upcoming surgery.
Take care,
Eileen
----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
| 
