Hi, am dealing with Mom who had a possible stroke. She had not been a "candidate" as blood pressure has never been an issue for her but I am aware that age is a huge risk factor. Mom had a respiratory attack 48 hours ago and now lies in bed comatose/unresponsive and dependent on respirator. Three days prior to that she presented with altered, dream-state "confused" appearance. There aren't many medical facts available about stroke and oral cancer and I really value y'alls stories as more credible than these online data,so please offer your insight...thanks :-( Trish

Hi Trish - I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom who may have had a stroke. I have not had any experience with strokes but perhaps someone else here will have some first hand info for you. There is a book that I found so encouraging and well written by a brain surgeon who had a stroke herself and explains all about how the brain works. It's "Stroke of Insight" by Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D. It might help you to understand how strokes happen and gives a good perspective from the patient's view. Sounds like your Mom has been through so much with her cancer experience. I hope in the coming hours and days, there will be some encouraging developments. Even though your Mom is comatose and unresponsive, she may still know you are there and can hear you if you talk to her about your day and what is happening around her. Take care and let us know what's happening.

Stokes can be caused by a few things, blood clot, artery blockage, an injury, the older you get the more possible it is to have a stroke, because hardening of the arteries, and lifestyle catches up with us. Some mild strokes are recoverable. Though there may be some weakening in certain areas permanently. Doe she have marked weakness on one side? Usually that is symptomatic of a stroke. Possibly a droopy eye, mouth, poor coordination of limbs on one side. Comatose? That would be a little unusual... I mean if it is a big stroke, but is she on any medication? Perhaps that's an issue?

Good luck...

A short description of the stroke of insight piece mentioned earlier is on my favorite website (after OCF) TED.com (ideas worth sharing) here
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight.html

I'm sorry to hear about your mom, the only strokes I have heard about in OC patients were in people that had the related collateral stroke risk factors / issues in addition to the oral cancer. They had stroke risk factors, high blood lipids, arterial plaques, etc. as separate existing conditions when diagnosed with OC.

Hi Trish,

Sorry to hear about your Mom. My Radiation Oncologist told me that I will have an increased risk of stroke in the future due to the collaterol damage done by having two rounds of radiation treatment. As far as I know there was no increased risk of stroke associated with the OC itself - just the damage incurred by having life saving radiation treatments and lots of surgeries.

I hope your Mom pulls through this.

Sue G

Erik my husband has had a stroke, it was due to the damage done from radiation, it weakened the arteries and actually caused one section to narrow and eventually completely occlude. Causing a moderate stroke. Our RO did tell us that it was a slight risk, even with IMRT because of the radiation path they had to use. So sorry to hear about your mom. Heartfelt wishes to you.