I’m a 77 yo male who just went through 7 infusions paclotaxel chemo and 70Gy IMRT radiation for a T3N1M0 SCC originating in my right tonsil, involving the soft palate and a lymph node. Four weeks out my NAVDx score was zero and no sign of cancer with a visual probe. PET coming April 15.
Doing ok, mouth and throat pretty well healed now two months out of treatment. I am not totally weaned off the high calorie Boost I depended on and same for the gabapentin that served as a pain relief cushion. Taste is slowest to recover, but otherwise no side effects worth mentioning. No feeding tube, modest loss of weight. Not to say it wasn’t a serious whack that had me hurting and discouraged at times.
I had a choice of proton v photon therapy, but was advised that the diffuse nature of my cancer and involvement with the palate would be more effectively addressed with IMRT. I can’t help but wonder if the ride would have been less rough with the photon option, but I am brought to the comment made here earlier that the most important consideration is the experience and competence of the radiation oncologist with respect to head and neck cancer. Of course, the support of medical oncology, nutrition, and the rest of the team is a close second. I’m very pleased. And happy to lend my experience as encouragement to everyone facing this grim situation.