#78155 08-05-2008 09:24 PM | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 219 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 219 | Hello everyone, I have missed you all and being on line but hope to be back soon on a regular basis. My question is it possible to have radiation treatments and not have a couple of teeth removed that probably should be but I can not afford the dental work? Thank you, Angel
SCC left tonsil, tonsillectomy with additional tissue removed 06/10/08, a few teeth on top left side removed 09/05/08,recurrence before treatment started at BOT and tonsil area, 35 IMRT treatments began 10/15/08, and Cisplatin IV (began10/16/08) weekly for duration of radiation.
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Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | You will be much better off paying for having teeth pulled now than having to pay for the expense of Hyperbaric Oxygen treatment (tens of thousands of dollars) after radiation because your bad teeth have given you osteoradionecrosis. If you have a good RO, they won't let you go through radiation unless you get those teeth pulled. There are dentists that take emergency charity cases if you really can't afford it and if this isn't an emergency oin terms of getting those teeth pulled, I don't know what is!
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
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Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 | Angel,
I friend of mine has had work done at Tufts Dental School at very reduced prices because she has little money, and I think because she's over 65. Is there a dental school near you that has a similar program?
Stage IV SCC lt lateral tongue, surgery 5/19/08 (partial gloss/upper neck dissection left side/radial free flap reconstruction) IMRT w/weekly Cisplatin & Erbitux 6/30/08, PEG 1 6/12/08 - out 7/14 (in abdominal wall, not stomach), PEG 2 7/23/08 - out 11/20/08, Tx done 8/18/08
Second SCC tumor, Stage 1, rt mobile tongue, removed 10/18/2016, right neck dissection 12/9/2016
Third SCC tumor, diagnosed, 4/19/2108, rt submandibular mass, HPV-, IMRT w/ weekly Cisplatin, 5/9 - 6/25/2018, PEG 3 5/31/2018
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Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 8 |
You would definitely need to have any questionable teeth removed or you will have alot of problems later. I has 3 teeth pulled before radiation. All my other teeth were fine, but now I have alot of problems with them. Dont let cost influence yor decision, this is your health. Talk to your doctors about your concerns, they may be able to help with referrals or something.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 5 Member | | Member
Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 5 | How did you know you had tonsillar cancer? What kind of symptoms? | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | SABW,
You should start your own Post perhaps under Symptoms and Diagnosis but a quick answer is a biopsy confirmed the cancer and your oncologist explained it to you.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 148 | Yes to Angels. I went through radiation and have not had any dental problems thus far ( knock on wood ). I have been to my dentist once since tx ended and go again next week for regular visit. Dentist said so far so good. To the dentists in our group ( thank you for your opinions here ), does radiation mean you're absolutely going to have problems down the road? I've been swishing everyday with ACT floride to strengthen teeth.
To SABW - my cancer originated in right tonsil and I had no symptoms. It went down to lympn node which popped out one day and that lead to various tests and then ultimately biopsy.
Bill . . . SCC - originated in right tonsil, drifted into neck ( 28 lymph nodes removed - one positive ). Radical neck dissection in September 07, completed 34 radiation tx on January 4, 2008. Used Peg. Non smoker, 61, good shape, no previous health issues. Second year PET scan - "all clear".
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Angels,
If the teeth really need to be removed because there is a problem with them it would be very foolish to leave them in as it will be much more involved and more costly to do it later.
Bill,
Generally, today it is believed that if you have healthy teeth and have IMRT then it is not neccessary to have teeth extracted before radiation. It does take a real commitment to homecare and regular visits to the dentist to keep your teeth healthy.
Gary is a prime example of someone that has kept all of his teeth and has devoted a great deal of time and energy in doing this. He always posts whenever this topic comes up and it is often.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | I had really good teeth to begin with and was advised to make sure my dentist did a thorough pre Tx inspection and fixed anything that needed fixing. My dentist replaced 2 old metal fillings with the newer stuff; fitted me with fluoride trays and off I went. I started using the fluoride a month before my Tx began, used it almost every day during Tx and still use it every day. My teeth are just as good as they were pre Tx but I was told teeth problems can surface many years after radiation so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Keep up the good work David and I will add you to my list with Gary, of the examples of how you can keep your teeth (if good to start with), despite radiation.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 507 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 507 | David,
Just curious as to which product you are using with your trays and where you find it.
The Prosthodontics gave me a bottle of Omni Gel by 3M (.4%) and said I should be able to get it at most drug stores, but the ones I have checked don't seem to have that brand and I am not sure if what they have will work OK with the trays.
While being treated at the CCC, I can just walk over to the Prosthodontics office and buy a bottle, but afterwards it would be nice to have a closer source of supply even if it is a different brand.
Don
TXN2bM0 Stage IVa SCC-Occult Primary
FNA 6/6/08-SCC in node<2cm
PET/CT 6/19/08-SCC in 2nd node<1cm
HiRes CT 6/21/08
Exploratory,Tonsillectomy(benign),Right SND 6/23/08
PEG 7/3/08-11/6/08
35 TomoTherapy 7/16/08-9/04/08 No Chemo
Clear PET/CT 11/15/08, 5/15/09, 5/28/10, 7/8/11
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Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 580 | Don,
If you have custom fluoride trays you want a gel fluoride. The brand name doesn't matter as long as ; "for daily use you use a 0.05 concentration of a neutral sodium fluoride gel and for weekly use you use a concentration of a 0.025 neutral sodium fluoride gel."
Ask your pharmacist if they don't stock one, they can get it and if it's not available over the counter get a prescription from one of your docs.
I hope this is useful.
Cheers,
Mike
Dentist since 1995, 12 year Cancer Survivor, Father, Husband, Thankful to so many who supported me on my journey so far, and more than happy to comfort a friend.
Live, Laugh, Love & Learn.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 | I still have good teeth. Went through the full XRT course in 2005-6 and have had no problems yet except a root canal a few months ago. I use Colgate Prevident in the fluoride trays nightly, by prescription from dentist, who I visit twice a year.
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.
| | | | | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 219 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 219 | Thank you all for your reply. I have found a good Dentist that will work with me. So far I have to see the Dentist before radiation begins as I have 2 teeth I know has to be pulled. My oncologist will start radiation at the first of Sept. I had surgery to remove tonsil and still have problems swallowing. Thanks for the information. Angel
SCC left tonsil, tonsillectomy with additional tissue removed 06/10/08, a few teeth on top left side removed 09/05/08,recurrence before treatment started at BOT and tonsil area, 35 IMRT treatments began 10/15/08, and Cisplatin IV (began10/16/08) weekly for duration of radiation.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | Angel
Find a way to have those "teeth that should be removed" REMOVED prior to radiation. If money is a problem for you now, it will ONLY BE WORSE and MORE EXPENSIVE later. To answer your question, it is possible but not a good idea. HBO treatment is very expensive and even regular insurance fights you about it. I took good care of my teeth, had not had a cavity in twenty years, and passed a through review by a dentist who specializes in oral cancer patients (1 out of only two recommended in the handouts from Lombardi CCC) prior to radiation. I had regular and panoramic X rays taken as an extra precaution yet the radiation fried the nerves and jaw on my left side in order to get the cancer that had spread to those lymph nodes. Despite all precautions, so far I have had to have 3 root canals, 3 crowns and am currently hoping that this last root canal on an old wisdom tooth that otherwise would have been extracted because it suddenly cracked works out. At least the fluoride trays and teeth cleaning are working as I still remain cavity free. If that can happen to "good" teeth, then you do NOT want to find out what happens to "bad" teeth. Just google "Osteoradionecrosis" to see why this is so urgent.
Good luck and best wishes
65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | My browser stuck and I did not see page two. Sorry Angel.
(But very glad you did find a dentist) Just in case you have second thoughts, you can be sure that you made the right call.
65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Charm, your post was good reading and I enjoyed it. Very informative article you wrote.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
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