My husband is basically six months post-neck dissection and three months post-reirradiation and chemo for a recurrence of tonsil cancer.

He is currently on a big dose of antibiotic (Augmentum) for cellulitis or other skin infection. Symptoms of swelling at the jaw line and below along with pain and fever, redness and warm skin at the site were the primary symptoms. The doc at the cancer center did a thorough oral exam, and based on that and the presentation of symptoms, concluded it was infection and probably not more cancer. My husband will have a just-to-be-sure CT scan of the neck the morning of 4/6 before the already scheduled two-month follow-up appt. The Augmentum appears to be working as the fever is gone, the swelling is down, he's feeling much better, and the skin is oozing pus (sorry for being so descriptive..but we've all seen worse!).

Has anyone else had this problem? Although the doc asked about scratches and bites to the area (we could think of none), we did travel about two weeks before the symptoms showed up on very crowded airplanes and airports. Our sleep schedule was also disrupted for about four nights.

Just wondering if this is common...and looking for other insights.

Thanks,

Loretta

Loretta,

I am familiar with post radiation cellulitis. Mine developed about a month post radiation in 2004. I noticed fluid secretion and much swelling where the jaw surgery and neck dissection was performed. Side of face quite red. Radiation oncologist got me to the OSU Cancer Center on emergency and they assured me it was post radiatipn cellulitis. They drained about a pint jar full of puss and put me on strong antibiotics. A painful experience. The swelling and fever went away but had to pack the "drain hole" daily for over a month. The doc said this was not unusual with the 36 rad treatments I had.

Had a mild recurrence of some draining in October and was put on Augmentin too. This cleared it up in a week and have had no reocurrence of cellulitis since.

Jim
-------------------------------------------------- SCC Rt lateral tongue Dx 9/03, Surg 11/03 (T2/N0M0);recur SCC BOT and anterior tongue Dx 1/04; surg 2/04 (T4/N0M0) subtotal glossectomy, forearm free flap, floor of mouth reconstruction,pharyngoplasty;trach until 3/04;PEG still have; 36 rad (3/04-5/04)therapy 12/04-12/05; 2 esophagus endoscopies

Hi, Loretta, yep, John went through that also[several times] and did the heavy duty antibiotic tx. We were always sure to take the full course of the drug and it went away each time. Amy in Oz

I had post-radaition cellulitis too. It was right after the rad ended and I didn't have so much pus draining buyt did have the redness and swollen skin (though it was hard to tell that was anything different than the normal effects of rad). I ran a high fever with it and, since I was neutropenic from the chemo, ended up in the hospital for over a week while they gave me IV antibiotics. I've never had another recurrence of it, thankfully.

Nelie