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#42099 04-22-2002 12:40 PM | Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 1 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 1 | our 92-yr old mom is presently almost through with her radiation program for cancer of the jaw
bone.
she seems to be coping well but recently was in tears the 1st time due to "burning tongue" sensation.
please advise
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#42100 04-22-2002 03:59 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 67 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 67 | This sensation is most likely mucositis, and is directly caused by the radiation treatment. It will heal / resolve on its own after treatment is over, but it is extremely uncomfortable. Doctors can provide her with a topical anesthetic like lidocaine in a solution that can be swished around the mouth to numb the sore areas. This provides temporary relief. Mine was so extreme, that pain medication was necessary as well. Rinsing and gargling with sodium bicarbonate and salt water help mucositis heal faster, but does not help with the discomfort. This is one problem where all that can be done is to try to mask the discomfort, while the body does the repair work. If she has actual sores on her tongue or elsewhere in the mouth, this mucositis can become infected if not kept very clean. Try to be on top of this so that this additional complication does not add to her burden.
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.
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