Tony,

The side of your mouth/throat that you have the tumor on will receive the most bombardment during radiation tx. That side will probably have more damage with regard to your salivary function. The other side should be less damaged and will hopefully pick up some of the slack when you start healing over several months to years.

That has been our experience here...Bill's saliva is pretty good now. He has trouble with food sticking in the right upper side of his mouth (between gum and cheek) while he eats but for the most part, he has adequate salivary function. I think you probably need to focus more on swallowing...that seems to be the function that is more affected during and after treatment longterm.

Last edited by debandbill; 10-22-2013 05:52 AM.
Deb..caregiver to husband, age 63 at diagnosis, former smoker who quit in 1997.
DIAGNOSIS: 6/26/07 SCC right tonsil/BOT T4N0M0
TREATMENT START: 8/9/07 cisplatin/taxol X 7..IMRT twice daily X 31.5.
TREATMENT END: 10/1/07
PEG OUT: 1/08
PORT OUT: 4/09
FOLLOWUP: Now only annual exams. ALL CLEAR!

Passed away 1/7/17 RIP Bill