#42551 05-13-2003 03:36 PM | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 2 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 2 | My father was recently diagnosed with cancer at the base of his tongue near his back molars. Apparently, the tumor was less than 1 cm in size. He has had surgery to have it removed. Doctors are very hopeful that he will recover soon. He caught it in its very early stages. He also had his MRI scans done and they were clear. The cancer is very localised and has not spread by the grace of God.
My question is that after his 4 week healing is complete, does he need radiation therapy ? He is taking 2nd and 3rd opinions. Some doctors agree and others don't think he needs it.
Does anyone have any idea on what should be done at this point ? Any advice ? Any similar personal experience ?
Thank you.
Diva
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#42552 05-13-2003 05:09 PM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | Hi Diva,
You didn't mention what kind of specialist/s he is getting advice from. I will suggest he see a radiation oncologist and find out what they have to say. Radiation is no picnic but you don't want to gamble with this cancer either.
It is great they caught this early but I would be cautious about letting your guard down.
I hope this helps.
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
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#42553 05-14-2003 07:21 AM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 65 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 65 | Base of tongue cancers are particularly aggressive. Even if this one was caught as a stage one, and diagnosed early by an obviously competent doctor, (who maybe should get some of the credit along with God), I agree with Mark that you should not make any assumption that this is all there is, and the game has been played. I would definitely get a second opinion from a radiation oncologist, and also have someone review the reports of the incised tumor to insure that an adequate clear margin was obtained around the lesion. In my own limited experience, I am uncomfortable with
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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#42554 05-21-2003 12:24 PM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 7 Member | | Member
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 7 | Hi,
Well Peter (my boyfriend) was diagnosed May 5th with T1 - N0 tongue squamous cell carcinoma cancer (1 cm tumor on tongue, and no by-touch felt swollen nodes, nor swollen visible in MRI). We have had THREE opinions (including the Stanford Tumor board), and all agree that ONLY getting the tongue cancer lesion (plus that clear margin that Brian talks of) is *too* naive. All docs have recommended the same thing: YES the MRI is clear, YES it's a tiny cancerous thing, and YES the xrays are clear -- But oral cancer is agressive, and all docs recommend he get a functional neck dissection (all 5 zones of the right side of his neck, as the cancer is on the right side of his tongue.) They're gonna pull all the nodes from that side, to check for micro metastasis. Some of surrounding fat, tissue, and bit of nerves will also make it outta there to the lab for testing.
Surgery is set for May 27th Tuesday.
A week from then, we hear the results of all those bits being sent to the lab...
XO,
Mary
Expect excellence!
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