This is my second bout with oral cancer - tongue and mouth. I had carcinoma in situ 8 years ago when I was also fighting my second bout with breast cancer. Treatment was surgery. My oral cancer stems from horrific mouth sores I had with chemotherapy during my first breast cancer, at least that's what I believe, and at least one expert researcher agrees. I have no other risk factors. Persistent moderate and severe oral dysplasia followed that chemotherapy treatment.

I am about to start radiation and would like to know what to expect and what permanent effects follow? I expect pain, dry mouth, lack of taste, difficulty eating and speaking. What else? and what is permanent? Do we have to use fluoride for life? Will I be able to continue working while I am going through it? Will I need lots of dental work in the future? What will be the effect on my jaw? How long will it take to heal from the radiation? Will I get more sores?

I've had lots of mouth soreness over the past 15 years and frequent discomfort eating, but I lived with that okay.

We seem to be running out of treatments since I can only have radiation once.

I hope someone can answer these questions.

nannygranny6. P.S. I am a "young" 60 year old.

Welcome, Nannygranny6. Boy oh boy, but you have had a rough ride! Okay, first you need to tell us what kind of radiation you are having, standard or IMRT, and whether or not you will be having chemo at the same time, and if so, what chemo drugs. You can bet there is someone on this forum who has been there and done that, and we can answer all your questions when we have this information. You need to realize, however, that everyone reacts a little differently to even the same treatment. If you can also be more specific about the location of your OC, there will most probably be someone here who has had the same thing. Take a deep breath and hang in there. We will help you through this!
Joanna