I am fairly new here and diagnosed in the past month with base of tongue cancer. There does not appear to be any mets and I have been staged as a T1. I have had 3 consults with 3 different opinions. The first ENT wants to do a radical neck dissection to remove the CA and probably followed by chemo and radiation. The radiation oncologist wants to do 7 weeks of radiation and does not think surgery is necessary. The ENT oncologist wants to remove the cancer on my tongue with laser surgery and do a neck dissection to remove the lymph nodes. He does not think radiation or chemo is necessary unless cancer shows up in the nodes. How in the world do I know which is the "right" option???

Debbie
Base of tongue cancer Stage 1

Hi Debbie

I just went through the same ordeal. In described situation I would choose the third option.
I encourage you to do more research, listen to all the opinions and make your own.
Les

Hi Debbie,
I am not a doctor and had a different cancer but my understanding is that tongue cancers have the potential of being more invasive and agressive than other forms of throat cancer, hence the fairly agressive treatments proposed by your three doctors, even though you have a stage I. This is not about the easy way out. It's about the route most likely to save your life and prevent recurrance.

If you have the opportunity or resources to have a second opinion at a NCCN facility, I would go for it. Go to http://www.nccn.org/ for the closest location.

Every decision that I made was arrived at with much research and questions and my wife was there taking notes and asking questions also, since I was half out of my mind with the stuff and many things blew right past except for her notes. I will pray for wisdom both for your doctors and yourself to follow the best path.

Hi Debbie,

This is a confusing and very scary time for you. To say the least. I have to agree with Gary, and if you can find a multi discipline hospital then you can have a tumor board review your case - instead of just different doctors not talking to each other. You can also use the search and site map on the main body of this site and find more information than probably any place else on the net.

We aren't doctors, just a group that has been there and will be here for you if you need us.

Keep us posted.
Dinah

Debbie,

Not sure if this will help either, but I was diagnosed with SCC stage II - III three years ago on my tongue and the floor of my mouth. All cancer was removed via surgery with clean margins. I had all lymph nodes removed at the same time by a modified neck dissection. Both sides were done as cancer on the tongue was on one side and the floor of the mouth was the other. All of the nodes were clear, consequently, I did not have RAD or Chemo.

Three years later, I'm alive and kicking and still cancer free. I did however, go to two different doctors for check ups monthly, then bi-monthly, then quarterly and now it is every six months.

Take care.

Anne.

Hi Debbie,

Welcome, you came to the right place for advice! Be strong and focus on your research. My advice would be that you are searching out Head and Neck Cancer Specialists for opinions that have seen this type of cancer day in and day out. I wish you the best and I'm sure that you will make the right decision. Remember, whatever YOU decide will be the right decision. My prayers are with you. Take Care. XoX "Never give up, this may be your moment for a miracle" Flo

Debbie,

My doctor is also an ENT oncologist and presented me with the same plan of care. After laser surgery, he grafted under my tongue with a synthetic material so I wouldn't lose mobility. Radiation depended on the outcome of the biopsy of lymph nodes, all 22 came out clean so no radiation needed.

Thanks guys for all your thoughts and suggestions. I have been researching but am having trouble finding any info on the laser surgery. I think Brian posted a few weeks ago that he did not think laser was effective. Brian..... was that you? Do you have research data? I would love to see it.

My 3 docs got together today and all conceded to the KC ENT oncologist that surgical removal (laser) of the SCC on the base of the tongue and removal of the lymph nodes on the right was the way to go. They all feel that this was caught in the very early stages and it is only superficial. I hope they are right!

I know this is MD Anderson's protocol per their website, but they do not mention the type of surgery or anything about laser. Has anyone here had the laser surgery?

Thanks for your help!

Debbie
SCC base of tongue Stage 1

Thanks Lisa.... I just saw your post. It sounds like exactly what my ENT wants to do. How are you doing since your surgery? Do you have any loss of function? Where are you from, maybe we have the same docs.

Congrats on being node free! I am praying that is my case too.

Debbie
SCC base of tongue Stage 1

Hey Debbie

I have replied via email regarding my doctor. I am doing really well, feel like Pollyanna sometimes!

Have been off the boards for a week and sorry that I could not respond to you. Laser surgery is usually not used for these types of cancers. It is most effective in removing precancerous lesions like leukoplakia, but as you read above, it can be done. My personal opinion (which all those who end up in recurrence continues to emphasize to me) is that any cancer that is not a carcinoma

When I turned up with a stage I tiny tumor on the larynx two years ago, they went in to laser surgery on it, but found that it was too close to the esaphageal opening to get a clean margin. At that time there were only two doctors in the US that performed laser surgery on the larynx, a treamtment developed in Germany, and neither were at MD Anderson.

How new is this procedure to do laser surgery on the tongue? Maybe one of the reasons not many have had it, is because it is so new? Doesn't mean it is not effective. Just a thought.

Eileen