Sandy: Tomo center on Rt 50?

Welcome Sandy - I have had cancer on my tongue - twice but had surgery and radiation both times. The others have asked all the pertinent questions, but know we are here for you as you begin this fight.

Donna

Sandy,

I'm sorry but where did I get that you said they were going to remove 80% of your tongue and you wanted to know how you could eat like that? Man Tax season is already taking it's toll on me!!

Sandy

My wife drives out to Annandale every month to her hair salon as the best colorist in the DC/VA area has a shop there. If I had it all to do over again, I would still do just the radiation and chemo first and save the surgery for possible recurrence in a more accessible spot - just like it played out. The only think I would change in hindsight would be to have checked out the Tomotherapy facilities in Inova as despite being a CCC, the Lombardi Center's radiation room still has not brought on line their second newer machine despite it being "any day" for two full years now. I could not help but notice in various posts and blogs that I appeared to be the only one who had to wait over an hour past appointment times to get the treatment on a daily basis. It was only the last two weeks of radiation when the first morning slot opened up that I got timely treatment. By mid afternoon they were always backed up. I wish you the best and am very interested in the actual mechanics of delivery of your radiation as I may just switch this time around rather than endure the dismal delivery of TX.

Charm: Although I won't see the doctor until Thursday, that what I believe will be there treatment plan. Radiation and chemo. I will be using the tomotherapy at NOVA. Read good things about it. The tumer is very far back, and they would have to at least 80% glossectomy so they don't want to remove it if possible. Another cancern is that I have two lymph nodes which are on 8mm (the doctor's couldn't even feel them) but show some cancerous activity. I'm hoping the tomo will be able to take care of them also.

I've been looking at my PET report and I was just hoping for a smaller tumer area. My is quite large. Probably a T3-T4

Yes. Great place

david: I was just speculating about a worst case scenerio (other than deceased). I will see the doctor on Thursday, and I'm expecting a tx plan of radiation and chemo.

The reason I thought about the 80% glossectomy is that my tumer is very large and very far back in the base of the tongue area. My ENT said that if they had to remove it that it would have to a total removal

I want to thank everyone for their concern and kind words. I'm really trying to keep my spirits up.

David: I didn't answer your questions specifically.
1. Lymph nodes, 8mm (SUV 3.5)which mean hypermetabolic activity on PET. Since these are so small could possibly be a false positive. Not sure, but need to be treated.
2. Dentist report fine. Got Floride treatments.
3. Getting a PEG
4. Believe tx will be rad/chemo. Drugs???
5. Also appointments set up with nutritionist, psychologist and also a psy. hypotist to help with mental aspect of healing.


Thanks David

Whew, I'm better off than I feared.

Sounds like you're on a good path so keep learning and asking.