Good morning, I was curious if anyone had issues on the first post treatment pet scan. Husband Stage 1 Base of Tongue HPV P16+, 35 radiation sessions, and 3 cycles of chemo finished up about 12 weeks ago. First pet scan showed primary tumor resolved and lymph node, but still has a spot to the right of the primary reading at 4.6 SUV. He is being sent to the ENT for a scope to get a better look. Not sure if its inflammation , residual disease and or a new primary. Anybody have this happen?

Hi everyone

I'm three weeks into recovery from surgery and radiotherapy for stage two buccal carcinoma. I think I'm healing quite well. Amazingly, all through treatment I was able to still taste things and keep my weight up... really lucky. But in the last few days, I'm getting a really intense salty taste in my mouth, worsening as the day goes on and into the evening. I can still taste other things ok but it's like my gums and tongue are seeping out salt. I had nothing like this while I was actually in treatment Has anyone else experienced anything similar and, if so, has it resolved itself? What helps?

Hello,
While I do not have Oral Cancer, my father was recently diagnosed with stage 3 Oral Cancer, likely from exposure to burn pits while he was in the military. He is going to have intense radiation treatment (proton therapy) five days a week for seven weeks, and chemo once a week. The thing is, he has a beard that he loves, it is a huge part of his identity, he is constantly compared to ZZ top. The idea of losing it temporarily for treatment was rough, but manageable. However, we were recently told that he is going to permanently lose his beard. This is going to sound dramatic, but this is probably the worst thing that could happen to him. It is going to devastate him to lose his beard forever. He was also told he will likely be getting a feeding tube, but he has said that doesn't scare him as much as losing his beard. He has been staying off the internet at his doctors recommendations, but I have been searching for any way to possibly preserve his follicles so that he will be able to grow his beard back. If anyone has any ideas or resources that could point me in the right direction, I would be so thankful. We are located near Atlanta but would be willing to travel if there was hope to save his beard. I know this seems small, but it really means everything to him.

I would also appreciate general recommendations on how we might be able to make the whole process easier on him. My mom is providing him with the emotional support that she can while my siblings and I are trying our best to do anything we can to help, it is just difficult to know how to support him right now. While he is bombarded with appointments right now, we do plan on making him to go to a cancer therapist, thought this may be after his seven weeks of treatment.

Any insight or advice would be helpful, I just want to help my dad as much as I can.