#60216 01-29-2007 07:12 PM | Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 1 Member | OP Member Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 1 | Hi, I am writing this for my Dad who had SCC on his tongue stage 2 with a neck dissection and they removed 18 lympth nodes and found 1 positive approx 3 years ago. He also had 6 weeks of IMRT (I think this was the name of it) radiation. He lost his salivary glands completely due to the radiation. My questions is has anyone experienced a very salty mouth after having similar cancer and/or treatment? Also, does anyone have any advice as to what else he could try for the VERY DRY mouth he has constantly besides the ones that have not worked for him previously, ie: Biotene, Moisture Mists etc. Any advice/info would be greatly appreciated.  | | |
#60217 01-30-2007 04:22 AM | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 446 "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | "OCF Canuck" Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 446 | I had a more extensive surgery, and the same IMRT radiaiton as your Dad.
I can't say that I had a salty lingering taste in my mouth particularily. It's taken a long while for my taste to be anywhere close to normal. I have days where nothing tastes right, and my tongue is so sensitive that even water that isn't cold enough tastes really funny.
I find that I brush my teeth 5 or times a day, and that tends to keep the odd tastes under control. A mild toothpaste is a must for me, though. Something strong just substitutes one overpowering taste for another.
The dry mouth is something I think we can all relate to. Most of the products you mention give very short term relief. A water bottle has become an extension of my arm, almost all the time. There are a couple of drugs available that may improve the level of salivary function for him; one is salgen...you may want to talk to his doctor about it. Wayne
SCC left mandible TIVN0M0 40% of jaw removed, rebuilt using fibula, titanium and tissue from forearm.June 06. 30 IMRT Aug.-Oct. 06
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#60218 01-30-2007 07:03 PM | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 | I had a phase for a few months after end of radiation (XRT) where the only taste I had was salt and everything was too salty but it did only last a few months.
After one year, I have much of my taste back, but it only lasts for a few bites and then becomes bland, as if my taste buds had tuned that taste out...
Age 67 1/2 Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05 Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08 Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08 Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06 Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08) Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08) On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.
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