Hello,

My mom completed Erbitux and radiation in November to treat multiple squamous cell lesions in her mouth. She has been tube feed dependent since, much to our dismay. She struggled to eat for months. Then, three weeks ago, tissue eroded away and bone became visible on the roof of her mouth, which was a pinpoint location for radiation where a squamous cell tumor had been. She is getting a biopsy of the bone on Monday as it is changing from white to grey and green.

Has anyone out there had experience with bone death in the oral cavity due to radiation?

Further, I have found mixed information... can squamous cell occur in bone? Or just erode it? Trying to determine if this could be cancer or dead bone with a possible infection.

Lastly, if anyone has experienced this and had hyperbaric treatment to attempt to heal the exposed bone, did it work for you or your loved one?

Many thanks. Very worried. Seems like this road just don't end.

Hugs to all of you making this forum possible!!

Hi RN77

My mother was diagnosed with Squamous Cell in March 2014. It was already stage 4. The cancer had spread through her jaw bone. Doctor said it ate through her bone like termites eat through wood. So yes I believe Squamous Cell can attack the bone. It sure did with my mom.

As for the Hyperbaric treatments . My moms primary tumor was in the rear of her jaw and spread to the neck. The cancer created a open wound so the doctor suggested Hyperbaric . The wound seem to be measuring smaller but my belief is the Hyperbaric caused the cancer to spread rapidly. The doctors wouldn't admit it but my mom went down hill fast once she started the Hyperbaric. So please make sure the cancer is gone before taking these treatments.

You mention the color changing from white to gray and green. I remember my moms turning the same color. The doctor would say it was dead tissue from the cancer .

Your doing the best thing with getting a biopsy and if it is cancer then please think twice before taking the Hyperbaric . I will admit if I could turn the clock back it would've been a different choice. Someone did mention here on the forum to not take Hyperbaric unless the cancer is completely gone. But on the other hand its hard to watch the cancer tunnel through.

I still read the forum a lot. It makes me feel better if I could offer any help regarding my moms Oral Cancer battle.



Heidi

Thank you, Heidi. I am so very sorry for your loss. I'm glad this forum is here for you and that it provides you with some comfort. I appreciate you sharing your story., and I am concerned about hyperbaric for the reasons you stated. I am very scared. Bone biopsy is Monday. I am praying hard, and I will add you to my prayers.

-Traci

If you have reservations about Hyperbaric don't let them do it. if the bone is dying they could try to remove it / and rebuild the area.

hugs!

Traci, Im sorry I havent responded to you sooner. Ive been thru everything you had questioned in your original post.

ORN is not fun!!! It can be very painful and involve IV antibiotics along with removing the dead bone or cancer. Yes, cancer can invade bones. I went thru this and ended up having a heck of a difficult time. hopefully your mother's case wont be as involved as mine was and she will get thru it easier then I did.

I have a love/hate relationship with HBO. I love how well it has worked for healing but at the same time I really hate how time involved it is. I have way too many things to do so spending 2+ hours in the HBO chamber, another 1+ hour driving back and forth, changing clothes and being checked twice by the tech and doctor (once a week) makes for one unhappy patient. I would lay in the tank fidgeting and thinking of all the things I should be doing instead of just laying there. Its very difficult for an active person to be confined like that 5 days a week. But on the other hand I cant stop singing the praises of how well HBO healed me numerous times.

Let me know if I can answer more questions about HBO and ORN. Best wishes to your mom.