I think it was on ABC anyway, it's the medical drama right after Grey's Anatomy.

Anyway they had a young man in the show that was diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer caused by HPV he got from his girlfriend. The two doctors were discussing treatment options, one imploring only chemo/radiation while the other insisted surgery that would remove part of his jaw as the tumor had deteriorated his mandible. The doctor pushing the chemo/rad tx didn't like the surgery option because the patient would be disfigured and "drool".

I was very glad to have this show shine light on the HPV subject and cancer of the Head and Neck, it was kind of like reliving my experience in a way, however I was dissapointed on how they portrayed the surgery and outcome. Yes, I am disfigured and I do "drool" and have issues dribbling food and drink due to the issues with the surgery, but hey...I'm breathing, I'm alive and currently cancer free.

My wife and I just looked at each other during the doctors discussion kind of disgusted. I don't know maybe it's all just to fresh for me, maybe I'm just bitter due to my disfigurement and I'm a "drooler" now.

Sorry, just had to rant I guess

Eric

I'm more of a Scrubs type guy than the sexy MD shows, but now you have me curious: did the TV patient go with the surgery or just the rad and chemo?
As for drooling, that was the first sign that my cancer had recurred - along with "fat tongue". My neck dissection and mandibulectomy have left major scars but I'm almost old enough to claim them as left over from "my dueling days"
Since you first joined and I replied, I have now joined the surgery club and am temporarily on hold for the Pilates I recommended to you. Liked your questions though

You can watch the episode on the ABC website -- click on the "Watch Free Episodes" button on the left rail. The title is "What Women Want," broadcast 3/19.

Eric,

Did you test + for HPV?

Thanks for the info about the show, Eric. If I had high-speed internet access I would watch it.

Charm,

[quote=Charm2017]
As for drooling, that was the first sign that my cancer had recurred - along with "fat tongue".[/quote]

How is drooling caused by or related to your cancer recurrance? I am curious as to why that might be a symptom. Don't you have dry mouth? I understand drooling as a result of surgery as Eric described.

I stopped taking an anti-depressant in 2007 that caused dry mouth, and I started to drool at night for the first time in my life. I attributed it to the discontinuance of the drug. I went back on the AD in Oct. when I was diagnosed, and now notice I still occaisionally drool. Did anyone else have an issue with drooling pre-Tx?

[quote=EricS] The doctor pushing the chemo/rad tx didn't like the surgery option because the patient would be disfigured and "drool".[/quote]

I had the mondible replacement and yes I am disfigured also. I don't know if I would call it drooling, but I do lose liqids out of my mouth because it's hard to keep my lips together. Maybe it is drooling.

You have to remember that this show is about the "beautiful people" and they don't drool. LOL

Patty

David, I did not test positive for HPV however I feel it's important for people to be aware of the dangers of it. I kind of wish that I would have been tested positive for it then it would ease the question of how I got camcer.

Patty, I loved the beautiful people comment...sooo true.

Charm, they ended up having to do the surgery because of how close the tumor was to an artery and couldn't wait for the rad/chemo to shrink it.

Eric,

Believe me I know what you mean about wanting to know what caused the cancer but even though I tested positive for HPV, the more I learn about this cancer the less I believe that there may be a single, point your finger at, cause.

Eric,

This site is seeing more and more cases of people who post that they are non tobacco users, casual drinkers and negative for HPV. Their Primaries are also in areas of the mouth that researchers say HPV+ SCC doesn't typically start so something is eluding them. Perhaps a strain of HPV not currently being screened for or even found for that matter. Perhaps another virus. Perhaps ANYTHING or a combination of ANYTHINGS.

Just like our Universe, I can't grasp this.

Damn, that sounds like my Oncologist and Ohio State James Cancer Center. Ohio Stae just operated and said no Rads or Chemo and my Oncologist wanted Rads and Chemo Ist before surgery if they rads and chemo didn't shrink it. Oncologist was right. OSU did the surgery and the cancer came back, 2 more surgeries there to take more of my tonge, then as most know, then the teeth left for Rad Seed Implants locally to kill the Cancer. It feels like it came back to visit but I see my Oncologist Wed.