Hi Jerry,

I live in Melbourne, right down south and close to the beach. (Not that it is beach weather at the moment as it is mid Autumn.)

So far the only person that I have seen is my ENT surgeon, but I was booked into a Cancer Clinic (where I was to see an Oncologist and Radiologist together with my Surgeon) prior to having the PET scan. When that result came back all clear, the surgeon rang me and advised that there was now no real need to meet with the Radiologist and Oncologist as he would be recommending close monitoring, without further treatment.

I will be having 6 weekly appointments with the ENT from now on. I have lots of questions for him already. One concern I have is in relation to node removal. Literature that I have read appears to indicate that the long term prognosis is slightly better for those that have had a modified neck dissection compared to those for whom the 'wait and see' approach is taken. My surgeon is of the view that this should only be done if there is an indication of nodal involvement.

It is great to hear from someone with a similar diagnosis and history.

Regards


Sue G


55 y/o
SCC LL Tongue 3/27/07
Part. mandibulectomy 9/2/07
Left ND 5/12/08
RT/Chemo
Rec LL Tongue 07/09
Part gloss 8/5 & 8/25
Surg 10/28/09 re mets to R neck & L jaw
RT & Chemo finished 12/22/09
PEG fitted 05/06/10
L buccal SCC 10/10
freeflap (forearm)surgery 2/28/11 L buccal and gingiva