 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 | Hi Bill,
I had XRT radiation one year ago this month, to both sides from my mouth down to my chest. I have about 50-60% salivary function and found I had saliva quite soon after radiation. My cancer was in my jaw bone and they were able to spare a salivary gland. I realize there are two sides to this issue, so I'll give you mine. Given the option of IMRT or XRT, I would choose XRT. BUT, keep in mind that I am one of the luckier ones as I didn't lose total salivary function. There are many on here that did and can tell you that they have adjusted to it.
Good luck with your decision.
Minnie
SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.
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