Hi folks. I'm a seasoned citizen, still active as a consultant (business coach) with a thriving national (mostly over the phone and computer) consulting practice. My voice is my livelihood. I was just diagnosed (Oct 28) with a tumor in the base of my tongue. Biopsy will be done on Oct 31 (Talk about spooky!). I'm quite worried about after-treatment loss of speech capability. I would appreciate any advice y'all can give me. Thanks.

Need more details especially when you have the biopsy results. As we say "it's not cancer until it's been confirmed by a path report." But I will go out on a limb with what little info you have and tell you that even if it's confirmed BOT SCC AND you undergo the typical treatment there is a great chance that you will be cured and it won't affect your voice at all. So let's calm down and wait until we see what this mass really is. Let us know as soon as you get the path results.

Hi there! Welcome and sorry you have to be here! BOT cancer (especially if it's HPV related - which you should be tested to find out ) is very treatable and responds well to chemo/rads. The treatments really suck - not gonna lie. But speech may only be a problem for a short while. Or not at all! Most of us have trouble with swallowing and eating from week three to four and on, r/t radiation irritation to the throat and oral mucosa. You will probably have to take some time off as rads makes you tired especially near the end, and uncomfortable to say the least.

If your dr. Hasn't told you yet the primary treatment for BOT cancer is radiation and chemo,(together) usually week one, three or four, and the last week for chemo, and 30-40 (with the norm being around 35) daily radiation treatments with weekends off) and depending on the location of the cancer, size of tumor, and if it's in your nodes they may operate first.

Some people have severe nausea caused by the chemo, but not all it really depends on your body and how you are wired. Try to bulk up now as people generally lose weight during radiation as food tastes like crap or has no taste at all- and the irritation can be very painful. Radiation is cumulative it gets worse as the days go on with the two weeks following treatment being the worst. I'm not trying to scare you these are some fundamentals you should be aware of. Like I said - it's not fun - but it is doable.

Even stage four BOTs generally fair well. Try not to worry. Depending on where you are being treated they may push for a feeding tube. The group here is pretty split on whether to have one or not. I personally had one but really didn't use it as I was very very fortunate to not have a lot of irritation up to the end. So I could chug my liquid nutrition (ensure, boost - whatever) (it's really the fastest least painful, and most effective way of getting nutrition when you are near the end of treatment) so I would suck up the pain and down 5 bottles a day. Adding protein powder helps with the healing process, and gives you more calories too. Whether they give you a tube or not try to swallow even just some tepid water as much as possible because it helps maintain the swallowing reflex, and hydrates you. Nutrition is key to healing so forcing yourself to eat and drink is priority.

Everyone responds differently to the treatments, and I'm sure a lot of the BOT people here will be along to fill in anything I missed.

Couple of DOs
Ask for a blood work up including your thyroid levels (thyroid's can poop out - because of the rads)
do advocate for yourself - unless you have a caregiver or family member who's able to be there, you need to be educated and know when to push with regards to your treatment.
Do write down any questions you may have prior to going in to see your dr. We all forget - when the word cancer comes into the picture.
And get yourself to a CCC - they are the best place to be treated - there is a list here on the forum. I think MD Anderson is a big one in Texas.
Time is of the essence - get your stuff sorted out at home, and push to begin treatment ASAP.
and good luck... Eat healthfully, and relax - stressing yourself out will only make things work.

Hope your biopsy goes well, and you've found a great support network, and information place here... Welcome again.

Take care...

Hi Fred:

Welcome, I guess. Maybe you won't even have to be here after your biopsy, but if you do, you sure found the right place. As David said: As we say "it's not cancer until it's been confirmed by a path report." So, let us know as soon as you get your results. There are many members who have had BOT cancer, and they all seem to be doing well, with no problems with their speech, except maybe during early treatment. By the way, I like the y'all expression - sounds like an Alabama one . Hope to hear some good news after the 31st.
julieann

Thanks to "y'all" - I'm a Texan by choice (since '77), escaped from the North and LOVE living in Texas - for welcoming me. Thanks especially to Cheryl for the details and encouragement!

What's surprising to me is that I've never used tobacco in any form, am HPV clear, and have none of the other BOT cancer indicators other than some reflux problems.

Once we have the Biopsy results we'll pick up the discussion. I do intend to get more than one 2nd Opinion on treatment alternatives.

Thanks for being here for me. I appreciate it.

Hi sorry - one more thing the chemo protocol I gave you is the one I was given I forgot to mention that Some hospitals do smaller doses weekly. So you may end up with that regiment. It's Also very true you may not need to be here - most drs are able to diagnose what may be Cancer - having seen a lot. But a biopsy is definitive. And HPV neg? wow... That's like me then - different location. Non smoker non drinker vegetarian - and HPV - good luck! I really do hope youre cancer free.

Since there is no scientific test for HPV in the oral cavity other than testing proven SCC cancer cells how were you told that you are HPV clear?

Maybe he was thinking HIV?