#82956 10-26-2008 01:16 PM | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 219 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | OP Platinum Member (200+ posts) Joined: May 2008 Posts: 219 | When you take rads and chemo, could those treatments cause your tongue to get very pale looking? 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.
| | | | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 | Angel,
My tongue got incredibly red during treatment, but I'm sure there's a whole range of changes that could happen.
- Margaret
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
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Angel, yes my tongue looked a lighter shade than usual. Ive also read sometimes people get something called 'black tongue' too where it turns black. 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: May 2008 Posts: 219 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | OP Platinum Member (200+ posts) Joined: May 2008 Posts: 219 | Christine, Today I saw the ENT and he said I have thrash in my mouth due to radiation and chemo, so all else is fine. I am glad, He ordered me 2 medications to clear it up. Thanks, 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: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 |
Its called thrush and that stinks!!!!!
I just got over having thrush, Ive had it several times. This time was the worst one, it was down into my throat. Sometimes it can be very painful. Now you know what it is, always watch out for that.
Hope you feel better soon. 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: May 2008 Posts: 219 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | OP Platinum Member (200+ posts) Joined: May 2008 Posts: 219 | Christine, That was funny. lol I can't smell anything but I take you for your word. I had no idea I had something like that. How long will it take to clear up? Thanks, 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: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Thats too funny, didnt mean it stink like PEE---YEW!!!! LOL  I got put on these lozenges, 5 per day for 2 weeks. There are many other meds out there which are faster. Its just one of what I call the "little lovlies" which go along with OC. Speaking of smelling, one of the positive side effect from OC for me was I now have what I call "the super smeller". My sense of smell is twice what it was pre-cancer, which is too odd. Especially since my sinuses are completely shot. Now you know what thrush is. Just watch out for it, you may get it from time to time. I am over 1 year from finishing chemo and rad for my 1st round of OC and 6 months past my 2nd round and I got it. If you get it again you can identify it and get the meds to get rid of it. 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: May 2008 Posts: 219 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | OP Platinum Member (200+ posts) Joined: May 2008 Posts: 219 | That is great about the increase in your ability to smell. I can't smell anything hardly so when you told me it stinks I thought lord who I may have offended. lol They say children get thrush sometimes but my son never had anything like that when he was a baby. I was just lucky I guess. I am sorry you have had this several times and that it is one of those little lovlies that goes along with OC, so, are there any more I should know about? (Just trying to keep ahead of the game if possible) lol Angel
Last edited by angels1313; 10-27-2008 04:41 PM.
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: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Sorry for the confusion. Thrush is pretty a pretty common mouth infrection for OC patients. Dont really know if it smells or not, sure hope it doesnt.  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: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | My tongue turned black and itched. Dr did a biopsy and said thrush here too. He told me to brush my tongue, gums and anywhare else I could reach. Brushed with Biotene tooth paste and it still will get black over nite. Just gotta keep brushing and thngs are fine.. Have a great day all.
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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