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← Return to HPV Tonsil cancer: I'm very nervous about chemo and radiation
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HPV Tonsil cancer: I'm very nervous about chemo and radiation
Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: Mar 19 11:56am | Replies (192)Comment receiving replies
@jonesja Thank you for sharing this—really helpful to hear a real experience. My doctors’ concern (at both institutions) is that my plan needs robust elective coverage for possible microscopic disease (including the opposite neck). They feel modern IMRT can already meet organ-sparing constraints well, so proton may not add meaningful benefit in my specific case. I’m going to ask for a side-by-side dosimetric comparison (parotids + swallowing structures) so it’s based on numbers rather than generalizations.
Replies to "@jonesja Thank you for sharing this—really helpful to hear a real experience. My doctors’ concern (at..."
@justwow My Proton treatment delivery was set up to first hit the tumor bed site and then it moved to my Right neck lymph node site and then it moved to the left side of neck( opposite side) to treat just in case I had any cancer on that side that was not detected.
@justwow Sounds very thorough. Wish you the best of luck regardless of the methodology. It’s not easy but you’ll get through it!
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@justwow I was T2N2 SCC HPV 16+ primary tumor in the right tonsil with bilateral lymph node involvement. I left my local area specifically to receive proton radiation. I had consultations with 5 major cancer centers before I settled on my doctors and treatment. I had 35 proton treatments 70gy and 6 cisplatin infusions. My understanding was that the chemo was an important adjuvant to treating the lymph nodes. I am now 4 months post treatment with the only current side effects being taste buds in recovery (at about 50% right now) and dry mouth (saliva is improving). I eat normal meals and my enjoyment of food has been steadily improving. I have no pain or other issues. Treatment was difficult, but I am happy with the choices I made.