Has he been taking pain meds? Sometimes people don't because they "don't need them". Typically, the pain is from increasing activity. I would encourage him to rest and take it easy. People tend to want to get back to "normal" and over do it.

Hi,
This forum is fantastic. It's so nice to know that we are not alone. We visited the chemo doc and the radiology/oncologist yesterday. We are investigating several options. One of them is brachytherapy (as I understand it they implant a radioactive seed directly into the cancer site) and then radition IMRT. Another alternative is cisplatin and IMRT radiation together. Has anyone had brachytheraphy? What are the side effects like from that? By the way, my husband did get some more pain meds and He's trying to take it easy. He's just not the type to not be working. We have our own business and it's very labor (his labor) intensive. He's not doing as much as usual, Thank God. We do have several employees but he also worked right along with them. I think that mentally it's harder for him, and I know that we are only at the beginning and it's going to get worse before it gets better. I am praying for all of you.

djbattle,

I had brachytherapy after I had finished my regular radiation treatments. By then, I was already experiencing some pretty severe effects (mouth sores, swallowing difficulties, etc.) and the incremental impact of brachytherapy wasn't particularly noticeable.

The procedure started with surgery to implant the tubes into my tongue (the surgery was fairly uneventful in the greater scheme of things), then they inserted the seeds into the tubes. When you have radiation in your body like that you have to be in an isolation room -- I was there for about a day and a half and my husband could only visit for about 10 minutes because of the radiation exposure risk. Aside from a certain level of boredom, due to the "solitary confinement", it really wasn't too bad overall. I remember being very apprehensive about it beforehand, and then thinking afterward that it was much less painful (and stressful) than I had imagined.

Cathy

Dj, to add to what Cathy said, brachytherapy is different than the IMRT because it utilizes a radioactive "seed" implanted at the tumor site. The other type of radiation therapy you mentioned (IMRT) is radiation developed in a machine. Once you have finished a daily treatment, there is no residual radiation.

Any treatment involving radiation will cause some similar side effects. I would consider any and all treatment options that offer the best long term results.

You haven't mentioned where he is being seen, We like to recommend second opinions at NCC hospitals, these are usually larger hospitals.

Hi,
We are going to NYC (Beth Israel)to be evaluated to see if my husband is a candidate for brachtherapy. Our radiologist does it but he doesn't do it for base of tongue. We are three weeks out from the neck dissection. (they removed 30 lymph nodes, non were positive) He's going for his simulation on Tuesday, I think that the IMRT radiation will start after we get back from NY. Originally, back in July we went to Fox/Chase Cancer Center in Phila., they basically told us the same thing that the docs around here are telling us. I have been in touch with the doctors alot and have been very pleased to see that they are working together as a team to treat my husband the best way with the least damage to him. Our oncologist/hemotolgist along with the radiologist was the one who suggested we look into brachtherapy as an alternative to chemo and radiation together. We will be going over the side effects of radiation with our doc on Tuesday but I was wondering what things can I buy and have on hand for when he needs them. What works best for radiation burns on the outside and the inside of your throat. I know that he will always need a bottle of water, but what about skin lotion, toothpaste, mouthwash. I've read that you don't want anything with alcohol, but what worked best for all of you? and what kinds of things can I get right now to have on hand? Thanks for your input and concern.

There was a member here that had the same treatment , brachtherapy, and they were from NYC. I have not seen them on here since the end of his treatment, but I'll look for their email address and, if they wil, have them contact you by PM. He may of had the implants during the neck dissection, but I just don't recall. In any event, they know about the treatment.

And even closer, a friend of mine who occasionally shows up here, lives in PA and I will ask her to contact you, as she had brachtytherapy in addiiton to rad.

Dj
Some of the things you are going to need.

Pure Aloe to swish in mouth daily.
Gail is the expert on this.

Biotene mouthwash and toothpaste.

Biafine for use on the outside of the neck, daily from the start of radiation. Prescription.

Magic Mouthwash,numbs the mouth long enough for him to eat. Prescription.

Guifesine to make the mouth gunk a bit more liquid.

I should tell you that these are items we needed when conventional radiation was done.
As you go along and the final decisions are made you will be able to get more advice from those who are familiar with your particular treatment protocol.

Take Care
Marica

Hi Dj--

Get the 100% pure aloe gel (it should come in a brown glass bottle to protect from sunlight) -- GNC sells it. Use in mouth (it can be swallowed) and on neck starting NOW to condition skin. Barry started about 10 days before radiation thanks to a head's up from nurse at Hopkins. For mouth use about a tablespoonful, swish around and let trickle down throat. On skin apply like a cream. When it dries, put on the Biafine and their instructions say to start using beforehand. Cover sides and back of neck, throat, cheeks etc. This is more for external radiation but the mouth stuff would probably also be good for the seeds. You should ask the nurses what they find are major mouth impacts and how they handle them.

Get a super-soft Biotene toothbrush and Ultrafloss (sort of fuzzy soft floss). You may need fluoride gel trays made for treating teeth which means a visit to a dental oncologist -- not sure if these are needed if you only get brachytherapy. (??)

Did they test your husband's tumor for human papilloma virus? This is apparently not uncommon in tonsillar and base-of-tongue tumors and gives a better prognosis, the cancers are biologically different from those from smoking. My husband's tonsil/b.o.t. tumor is HPV-16 positive.

Gail

Another poster: Sabrina, received brachytherapy as well. She has not posted recently, however you can private message her.

Sabrina Profile

Last time we heard from her she was doing quite well and in the middle of several chaotic life events not related to cancer. (including moving, changing jobs, weddings, etc.)