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#36408 02-18-2003 04:23 AM
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mel Offline OP
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I was wondering if anyone has had radiation to the tongue? What are side effects?

#36409 02-18-2003 05:07 AM
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At least half of the patients here have had some radiation to the tongue. The biggest side effect is mucocitis. Go to the dental section of the main web site, and look under complications related to treatment. There is lots of information there about this and other things you might run into during treatment.


Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
#36410 02-18-2003 12:35 PM
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Hi Mel
Had IMRT radiation to tongue following removal of about one third of the left half of my tongue as follow up. First side affect to hit was of course the dry mouth, lost some sense of taste, but was able to deal with it. Bottle of water was a constant companion, went through about 2 to 3 litres a day. As Brian said, mucocitis was a problem, mostly in the last couple of weeks and for a few weeks afterward.

Because of the IMRT the rad burns were concentrated in just a couple of areas, and each person will vary on how they cope with that. For myself the last couple of weeks I was just on liquid and that was not pleasant because of the rad burns on the tongue. But, they pretty much healed up after a couple of weeks of ending the Rad treatments.

Basically, from what I've seen everyone varies, each situation is different. You will find that some on this board had to have PEG tubes, and have lost all sense of taste, have dry mouth, etc, others aren't doing too bad. Finished the rad and chemo end of Nov, now I'm eating pretty much normal, taste is close to normal except for real spicy and real sweet. The water bottle is still a constant companion, but the amount of saliva has improved that eating isn't too bad. Learn to like steaks medium instead of well done.

Hope this helps.
Bob


SCC Tongue, stage IV diagnosed Sept, 2002, 1st radical neck dissection left side in Sept, followed by RAD/Chemo. Discovered spread to right side nodes March 2003, second radical neck dissection April, followed by more RAD/Chemo.
#36411 02-20-2003 11:30 PM
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If they didn't pull your teeth, tell them you want a teeth shield (you can also use cotton rolls). Since I got mine I have no more rad burns on the inside of my cheeks or tongue (caused by sidescatter off of crowns)


Gary Allsebrook
***********************************
Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)

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