Bethesda. Discuss with your radiation oncologist and/or your pain treatment specialist. Coincidentally I was at the cancer centre yesterday under very similar circumstances. Completed treatment in October but recently felt pain in my tongue near the location of the original tumor. Mri and CT scans were completed over the Holidays - Dec 27 and 31.

Oncologist thought that the pain I was feeling was normal radiation pain. After radiation, scar tissue develops which can prevent normal draining of the area. Fluid build up compresses nerves which creates pain. Many nerves in the mouth area creates good conditions for pain recurrence. To put my mind at ease about a recurrence of cancer, oncologist scheduled a PET scan with a sucrose injection (?) which will “light up” active cancer areas in body.

I was relieved somewhat but still a bit nervous about PET scan.

I have come to realize that cancer is one of those things that causes you to be “always looking over your shoulder”. Every little ache or pain or rash is going to make you rush to judgement about a recurrence. I think this is natural - it is for me anyway. I’m just that psychologically vulnerable at this point.

My palliative care doctor also adjusted my pain medications to help with the pain. Hasn’t helped yet...

Good luck with your treatment.