← Return to Diagnosed with tongue cancer (2nd cancer): Worried about treatment

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@robolobo

Hi there. I am 66 year old male, in my last week of chemo and radiation for Stage III Base of Tongue Cancer. There will be a couple of rough week post-treatment I have been forewarned, but all in all it hasn’t been too wretched an experience (as wretched experiences go). Lots of fatigue, but hopefully you don’t have to keep working. Got a feeding tube, which I consider essential for adequate nutrition and hydration. I only lost 10 pounds, more or less. People who try to get by without one and lose a bunch of weight will suffer accordingly, IMHO. Have not thrown up once, thanks to Zofran. Taking Norco twice a day as a preventative, but plan on weaning off soon. Due to the radiation the skin on my neck has gotten pretty scorched, but lots of Aquaphor (messy), Miaderm, ask the doc about Lidocaine. I am getting ahead of myself, there are immunotherapy drugs that might be more appropriate in your situation. But don’t give up the ship quite yet. But if you do go chemo/radiation, the experience might nor be as horrible as you think. Good luck!

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Replies to "Hi there. I am 66 year old male, in my last week of chemo and radiation..."

My expert with tongue cancer was similar to yours. I did radiation and cisplatin/chemo. The last 4 radiation treatments really burned my neck. The Aquaphor and Vaseline bandages along with the vinegar/water soaks were wonderful. I was lucky and for some unknown reason had no nausea from the chemo. I agree the food tube kept my general health good and weight loss minimal. Now 10 months post treatment its still the lymphedema and fibrosis that challenge me every day. Stretching and massage are a must. But all in all for me the radiation and chemo was the right decision.