Father met today with the Radiologist.

Needless to say,it didn't go so well. They basically went over all the possible negatives and it really affected him. It was a lot for him to process especially given all the info he's been given the past few weeks.

The scans showed the cancer hadn't spread to the lymph's. And we are hoping that if its clean that we dont have to do Chemo or Radiation.

Is it common for Radiation to be done even if its not spread? My dad is really racking his brain lately over it all. Hes worried in the weeks since his scans that its spread.

Im going to compile some questions for the oncologist/Surgeon we can ask . WE meet with the surgeon tomorrow. OOncologistnext week.

Thanks folks you have been so helpful since we got the Diagnoses.

Oh John, I feel so bad for your father. We have all been there and had those horrible feelings of doom. Everyone is always afraid of the unknown. Your fathers worrying is in overdrive! Its a much practiced skill for patients and caregivers to not panic when given all the negatives. This is why its so important for patients to take someone else with them to appointments. All too often during these types of appointments the ears just shut down and arent able to process any additional info.

Many patients will have surgery and then about 6 weeks later they will start rads. This is used as a clean up to ensure all traces of the cancer have been eliminated. All it takes is for one teeny tiny cell to be missed during the surgery to have a recurrence. Nobody wants to go thru that!!! There is a very detailed flow chart that doctors go by to determine which path the patient needs for the best results. The link below will give you and your father all kinds of important info about OC and treatments. Plus there are many posts here that are full of tips to help your father go thru this easier. Take it day by day and try your best to keep your father mentally engaged so he isnt constantly in a panic wondering "what if".

Best wishes!!!


OCF, main site ---- treatment/rads

Best to get a second opinion. Sometimes surgery causes much more sever disability compared to radiation. Best to ask about this, and get a second opinion. Maybe others here know more about this.

John,

Be grateful you found the OCF forum now and are able to ask questions of people who have already been there, done that. I was diagnosed in 2005 and learned a lot of things the hard way after the fact.

Getting a 2nd opinion is a great idea if possible from a major cancer center. I was initially treated locally at a small hospital. They did not do "frozen sections" during surgery (a biopsy done during the surgery). Later found out the local pathologist botched the biopsy - gave me the all clear when in fact there was cancer at the margins. Had radiation, a recurrence, 4 surgeries, and a host of problems because of the radiation, but I'm still here 11 years later.

I'm tried to read your other posts to get a better picture of where your father is regarding treatment and what was recommended. Perhaps add some more info to your signature line and keep it updated - it would help us help you.

From my understanding the scans may not detect cancer if it is small or microscopic so it could have spread to the lymph nodes. Are they planning on doing a neck dissection? Make sure they do frozen sections during the surgery on the tongue which helps insure they "get it all". Depending on the size and location of the initial tumor, the doctors may recommend radiation and chemo as a precaution. There are certain guidelines that have been developed that gives recommended treatment protocol.

Over the years I have met many oral cancer survivors. I know a few that were stage 1 and were treated successfully with surgery only. Another friend, who I believe was a stage 3 or 4, opted not to have the recommended radiation. That was 6 years ago and he is doing fine. Then I have a number of OC friends who lost the battle. Every body is different, and what works for one may not work for another. If I had a do-over button, I would have sought treatment at a major cancer center from the beginning. I ended up at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD only after I had a recurrence. Before that, I did go for 2nd and 3rd opinions at two different larger hospitals.

Wishing your father the best!