 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Hi Kay,
I raise this question every time someone says they have to a zillion teeth pulled. Did they give you a reason? Are his teeth in bad shape? Or is it simply that this dr still has everyone's teeth pulled that will be in the radiation field. They used to do this 10 years ago to healthy teeth, but no longer do it.
If his teeth are healthy, I'd get a second opinion. 20 teeth is a lot and it is forever before you can get dentures after radiation and they cost a fortune. Plus it makes recovery that more difficult if you can't chew on anything but front teeth.
Take care,
Eileen
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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
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