| Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 11 Member | OP Member Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 11 | Hi, My mother aged 61 years is suffering from Oral cancer (right cheeck) from past two years. In Dec 2010, we found a small tumor that was developing in the mouth and that was removed surgically. And post surgery radiation was also done. Almost for a whole year after the first surgery she was doing very well. Early this year the tumour re-appreared and it was again operated on, and removed surgically. This time the surgery was very long and grafting was also done on the face. Soon after the second surgery we found another tumour near the lip, this was like within 45 days from the previous surgery. As she was already very weak post surgery, another surgery was not possible. That's why Doctor's suggested chemotherepy. We were recommended another round of chemo but we postponed it as my mother was getting really weak due to the first session of chemo. For almost two months no medication was done. But we observed that there was a hole that was getting developed at the site of graft on the cheeck and also new eruptions started appearing very frequently. The typical cycle for the eruption is that it starts with a small bump, gradually develops into a boil and then a hole starts forming in the centre. This prompted us to consult the doctors again and with their recommendation we did another round of chemo. Now even after the second chemo session, we observe that every few days newer eruption are happening. Its impossible for her to take food intake from mouth and she has a food pipe in her stomach. This limited diet has made her very weak. Now the consulting doctor is not recommending any further treatment. I am really worried as every week i can see a new eruption | | | | Joined: May 2010 Posts: 638 "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: May 2010 Posts: 638 | this sounds very peculiar Nanjangud
Are you sure these eruptions are cancer? Did the doctor biopsy any of them at any time either before surgery early this year, or when it reappeared or before chemotherapy?
Do you know what the chemotherapy was called?
Did these eruptions look and act the same after surgery compared with after chemo or were they different?
Karen Love of Life to Alex T4N2M0 SCC Tonsil, BOT, R lymph nodes Dx March 2010 51yrs. Unresectable. HPV+ve Tx Chemo x 3+1 cycles(cisplatin,docetaxel,5FU)- complete May 31 Chemoradiation (IMRTx35 + weekly cisplatin) Finish Aug 27 Return to work 2 years on 3 years out Aug 27 2013 NED Still underweight
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Welcome to OCF. Im sorry to hear about what your mother is going thru. As far as her feedings go, she needs to have a higher caloric intake than a person who is well. Her body burns up calories very quickly fighting whatever is going on. In the US, there are many over the counter formulas that can be used if prescription formula isnt available. Here in the US we have hundreds of different feeding formulas the doctor can prescribe that a medical supply company will bring monthly. Check with her doctor about prescribing a feeding formula for your mother. She needs at least 2500 calories and 48 oz of water every single day. I laos wondered if her sores had been biopsied. Is the chemo Erbitux? This will cause rashes and blisters. Chemo is used alone for pallitive care. By itself it will not cure the cancer. I would suggest speaking with her physician about her long term care and then seeking out another specialist. I would say go to the largest cancer facility where they will have the most experience in treating oral cancer. Best wishes! ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 11 Member | OP Member Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 11 | Hi Christine, Is it someway possible for me to send you the case summary as given by our Hospital? I also have some pictures(though very disturbing) that I can send. I really really hope the blisters are not cancer and are solvable. | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | HI there... chemo alone will not cure oral cancer. That's first off... radiation... a second round in conjunction with chemo should be given, possibly Erbitux. It sounds like she is very weak, though so proper nutrition is a must. If the cancer (assuming this is what it is.. the only way to know for sure is a biopsy) is still localized, then they are letting your mom die for no reason. find another dr. willing to treat her... pump up her nutrition, high protein foods, fresh veggies, after radiation people's mouths are very sensitive and ulcerations can occur easily - make sure it's cancer. good luck.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Nanjangud, Im very sorry but I am not a medical professional so sending me your mother's medical summary would not be anything I could assist you with. Each country does things differently, here in the US we have standards for medical care depending upon the patients specific condition. I dont know how hospitals are run or what services are offered in any country other than the US. As a 3 time oral cancer survivor and member of this forum for over 5 years, I have learned an incredible amount of info about oral cancer. Thats how I am able to offer my assistance to other members. Feel free to post your questions here on this forum and we will do our very best to help you.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 11 Member | OP Member Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 11 | Hi Klo, We have done biopsy each time there was a new growth. We also did biospy after it reappeared earlier this year.Each time it came as positive for mailgnancy The chemothereapy was called Chemotherapy with inj. Taxol 200mg(D1) + Inj Cisplatin50mg (D1-D2). I have just copied the exact words as mentioned in her case summary. The eruptions look the same as they were earlier but maybe because there is no treatment now, after a while they become like a ball, and start developing a a hole from centre. | | | | Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 11 Member | OP Member Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 11 | Hi Cheryl,
You have given me some hope! In the first surgery the doctor had removed the lymph nodes. What exactly would you call as a localized cancer? In my mother's case it started from inner cheek(first surgery & radiation), the next was in the corner of lips, right side (second surgery and grafting). The third was below the lower lip, right side. For the last one, we went for a chemo. Now we see new eruptions around that area, and the new one is on the next, below chin to be precise. Her disease is called Carcinoma Right Buccal Mucosa. | | | | Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 11 Member | OP Member Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 11 | Thanks Christine. but I must ask : have you seen any such case where the eruptions are so frequent? | | | | Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 11 Member | OP Member Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 11 | Hi Christine, Apologies for bombarding you with so many queries ! I went thru my mother's diet chart and she is taking Nestle Peptamen ( 2 scoops in 100 ml) 5 times a day. After looking into the nestle website what I understand is that this gives her 500Kcal. Apart from this she is having veg soup 2 times, Kabimmune ( another supplement) 1 time and Rice& pulse mix one time. Each feed is 100ml. Do you think this intake is sufficient? | | |
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