My mother completed 30 radiation treatment for oral cancer about six weeks ago. She is off the pain medication and feeling much better which is fantastic however, her main concern is her lack of saliva and secondly, when she tries to eat, nothing tastes the same.

Her doctors have advised her that in time her saliva will return although not to the same level as before the cancer and her taste buds will return.

I know everyones recovery is different but can anyone give me some input on when their saliva and taste buds starting to function again.

Thanks

You're right it is very individual. My salivary function never returned, and it took about 4 months for 90% of my taste to return. It has stayed there with sweets being the one that didn't return completely. It is all a function of the glands exposure, and for how long. IMRT people have a slightly better result than most since their radiation in many cases can be mapped around the parotid glands, at least partially depending on where the primary lesion is located.

As Brian stated it is very individual. Mary is about 9 weeks out of radiation and taste is beginning to return-for her sweet things taste the best, which is the opposite of Brian. She is still very dry, but the docs told her "one month recovery for every week of radiation"-so she will pretty much know where she stands about 7 months out (5 to go). Her trusty bottle of water is attached to her side.
Tell your mom to hang in there and I wish her all the best.

Liz

It took 16 months of baby step improvements for my taste and saliva to return to something I can live with if they don't improve further so just advise patients. I enjoy everything now and my saliva is almost back to pre Tx.