Hello, friends,

Is it typical to still have intermittent/occasional ear pain on the surgical/irradiated side? I am 8-9 months post-rads/chemo/tonsillectomies. This was for my second primary cancer tumour. The first surgery was a partial glossectomy/SND, clear margins & nodes, no adjuvant therapy. Both were HPV-negative.

I am being followed monthly at this point. I see my MO one month and my SO the next month. I am scoped every month and all has "looked great", just some residual edema.

I have my second post-treatment MRI w/ contrast next week, followed by an appointment with my SO. I know I'm getting "scanxiety" and this ear pain has happened before, but it seems that it might be more frequent. I'm also having some TMJ issues on that side.

I guess I'd just like to know others' experiences.

Thanks for listening.

xo,
Kerri

37 y/o fem at Dx (23 wks preg @ dx on 3/16/11)
SCC L oral tongue (no risk factors)
L partial gloss/MND 3/28/11 @ 25 wks preg
T1-2N0M0; no rads/chemo
Tonsillectomy on 8/6/12 +SCC L tonsil T2-3N1M0 (HPV-)
Treated with 35 rads/7 carbo & taxol (Rx ended 10/31/12), but many hospitalizations d/t complications from rx.
Various scans since rx ended are NED!
Part of genetic study for rare cancers @ MGH.
44 years old now...I wasn't sure I would make it! Hoping for 40 more!