Getting ready to start treatment in a week for squamos cell carcinoma (right tonsil) and lymph node involvement t2 n2b same side. I'm just letting everyone know that I'll be checking in from time to time. Treatment will take place at the Cleveland Clinic, radiation therapy for 7.5 weeks and maybe chemo 1st week and 4th week, not sure weather to do the chemo yet. Possible neck surgery salvage after.

I'm fairly well informed but learning more every day and there is plenty to learn...

Welcome Indy,

Please do check in from time to time. Seems from reading your post you have looked around the message board a bit. Hope you have time to look at the main site. There is a wealth of information there also.

As you go through treatment and have any questions, please ask. Usually someone here has a suggestion or an answer they were given by their doctors.

There are many here that had the chemo with radiation and are glad they did. The belief is that it will boost the radiation. And most people want to fight with everything possible.

Wish you luck and please do keep us posted.

Take care,
Dinah

Hi Indy,
I had same problem. The chemo will give you as much as 10% better survival odds. It does make things a little rougher but you can get through it. It is a radiation enhancing type of chemo. It is not supposed to have the same systemic toxicity of more conventional chemotherapies. I am over a year now post Tx and no salvage surgery has been required so far.

Don't automatically let them convince you to pull your teeth either! Many of us here have ALL of our teeth. We will be happy to enlighten you as to the pros and cons of this.

So many decisions - so little time. Glad you found us.

Thanks Everyone for the welcome, I've already had the teeth out last week. Only had 17 left and many had caps that would have needed work so out they came...I won't miss those teeth, I begged the dentest to pull them years ago.

Hello Indy,

It seems we have plenty in common. Right side tonsil etc. keep us posted and stop back if you need help or support.

Take care

Hello Indy

I had similar cancer on my right side and am now doing well nearly one year after completing radiation. I have found this site inspiring and sooo helpful.

Wishing you the best for your treatment from Helen, with love.

Greetings Indy:
The word CANCER instills fear in all. But with understanding and information the fear and anxiety become less a problem. Most Radiation Oncologists agree that chemo in conjunction with radiation treatments is a good approach and offers additional chemical lanes that aid in reducing the tumor/tumors.
I have currenly had three chemo treatments and as yet virtually no side effetcs. They give you premeds prior to receiving the chemo that greatly reduce side effects. Plus oral medication for three days afterward as a safeguard.
Darrell

Please note that studies show that specifically, radiation-enhancing chemotherapy is what has been show to be effective. Given at the same time as the radiotherapy it makes the cancer cells more susceptible to the effects of the radiation. Chemotherapy as most people think of it, as a disease killer used on it's own, when it comes to oral cancers is used in late stage disease where distant mets also need treatment or for palliative care. It is seldom considered as a first line therapeutic for the treatment of oral cancers on its own.

Yes the chemo thing is heavy on my mind, I didn't realize it was different from standard chemo (haven't been able to confer with the chemo doc yet because he's been out of town) it's the only big decision I have left to make and time is getting short. After reading all the possible side effects, longer recovery time, and wondering what could happen if I were to become sick with something else when my imune system is down I'm extremely hesitant. But I'm sure I'll reconsider before judgment day.

And what about Amifostine...no one has mentioned it's use to me yet at the hospital. Why? If it works shouldn't they be asking me about it?

Hi Indy,
I was not able to get Amifostine locally either. I was told that it is administered by IV before each treatment and the Radiation Department I went to was not able (read: willing) to make the commitment to provide that. I would have had to travel 180 miles to Minneapolis daily or move there for the duration of treatments. I chose not to do that. With hind sight I would have at least spent more time looking into that option.

What I would really like to hear is that people that got their treatments with Amifostine really have more salivia after XRT (regular) radiation?