Hi,

My dad has the oral cancer and was having tumor on his right cheek. he went trough the surgery in August'07 and followed by 25 sittings of radiotharpy, came out fine and was recovering.

In the surgery the doctor removed the tumor and put the flap in order to rebuild the cheek. he was recovering well.

This month there was fluid coming out from the wound on his same cheek.docter was removing the fluid from neck, but fluid stopped coming out last week. During the initial test doc says it was the radiothrapy fluid. but later he did an open biopsy of his right cheek and was found cancer in the same area but this time on the outer layer.

the surgoen who did the surgery first time is suggesting another surgery but the second opnion is saying not to go for surgery but chemothrapy. i have some questions can someone answer them.

- Is Surgery a feasible solution as most of the doctors are not recommending because of radiotharapy is already done and healing might take time.
- He is starting his chemo from monday a total of 6 doses is what doctor is suggesting.
- Surgeon is saying since the radio tharapy and surgery couldnt cure it chemo will be less effective.. is it the right explanation.

Right now he is fine talking walking eating but loosing a lot of weight and feel tired.

Can someone answer to my questions.

Thanks,
Anant

Hello Anant,

I'm sorry to hear about your dad, but glad you found this group.
My dad has had cancer in his right cheek too, twice. He had radiation the first time, and surgery including a flap, in his chin area the second time. From what I've read about it, most of the time, they can only radiate the area once. Chemotherapy for head and neck cancers is only effective with radiation. So surgery would be the most likely option, from what I've read.
I'm no expert, but can't help but wonder if starting chemo by itself on Mon. is the best way to go, in case surgery is the better option, would want to be as strong as possible for the surgery. Brachytherapy could also be an option after surgery.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your dad.

Kind regards,

I had radiation 8 years ago, now my ca is back, both sides of my tongue, right and left and lower front of mouth. Before they discovered the ca had spread to the right side they were going to do radiation implants since I had had external rad prior and could not have it again. Ask your dr. about that. It sounded just what I needed until the other spots shot up. I am getting chemo now before surgery is done again. I really think I can actually feel the tumor on the left side going down. Might be in my head but a good feeling. The implants are called Brachytherapy.
Good Luck to you all and God Bless.

From what the doctor explained to my dad and I, the chemotherapy only works in conjunction with radiation. My dad opted not to do chemo, so he is only getting radiation. Also, they said that area could only be radiated once. Hope this helps.