They are spelled 'stent', just like the ones used to keep arteries open, but physically different. Here's a link:

http://www.mdanderson.org/departmen...p;pn=dc30f0bf-7545-11d4-aec300508bdcce3a

A friend of mine had a similar tumor and surgery as my own first round, then had IMRT at Anderson, with dental and saliva stents, and, unlike me, she retained most of her saliva. Based on that, I highly recommend them!!

I had ethyol/amifostine for half of my XRT, but had to discontinue it because I developed an allergy to it. Had no problems with nausea and took no meds.

Discontinuing it made a difference in my treatment experience because I didn't have to come in early, take shot and wait for it to be effective before my blasting sessions.

Darned expensive, also!

Age 67 1/2
Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05
Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08
Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08
Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06
Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08)
Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08)
On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.