squamous cell in throat

After my surgery to remove the tumor in my tonsil, I refused radiation because it scared the hell out of me. I saw what it did to my dad and others. I finally submitted to both after a growth appeared starting from my ear to my chin, under my jaw. It was like a banana, huge. I went on chemo and the tumor subsided immediately! After several treatments, it was gone. It really did a wonderful job. So then, I opted for the radiation as well. I underwent 38 treatments. By the end, I was on a feeding tube, couldn't be understood, and went from a 280lb body weight on a 6'6" frame, down to 189lbs. Weak, frail, and no energy. I had open sores on my neck from the burning. It was awful. The doctor wanted to stop at 37, and I said being I came this far lets finish it with the kudagraw. My question to you, what did the doctors say about chemo? How successful is it with this kind of cancer?

My question to you is: why did you elect to have radiation treatment when the chemo therapy was so successful?

in hind sight I shouldn't have! I submitted after a five year refusal. Knowing what I know today I would not have had surgery or radiation. My Doctor recommended it after chemo. They get paid well for radiation treatments. They love to make money! And act like they care. Do what you want. I'd just ask more questions concerning chemo and see what they say. The chemo people know what works good on sq-cell. The surgeons like to operate, and don't necessarily like tell you how well chemo works. Radiation almost killed me. I will never have it again, I would rather die!

I have been advised by two oncologists, one a surgeon and one a radiation doctor that the only effective treatment available to cure my squamous cell is radiation, so I am going to have to deal with the side effects.

Hi @jimchardy Yes, radiation has side effects but it kills cancer cells and decades of data have shown that it is successful against SCC. The side effects are the price we pay for life and while it is a very hard process, the worst is over two weeks after treatment ends. Radiation oncology clinics around the world know how to look after patients. You see the team every Monday to Friday and have constant contact. You need to follow all advice, even if it means being tube fed and bring in all helpers you can for transport and support. I really wish you well. I finished treatment in 2014 and keep in touch with many head and neck cancer patients so if you have any questions feel free to ask:)

Thank you for your words of support and enc

I was advised that my squamous cell carcinoma is HPV and have undergone three radiation treatments. I spit up a noticeable amount of bright red blood a couple of nights ago. Am concerned with the cause of this

That must have been alarming. You will see the team in the morning? You probably have by now. Wish you well.

Hi Jim, how are you? I came late to this post; but here I am. I see that you cannot open your mouth very well. It will get worse with radiation. My husband made me several light wood pieces, one inch by three and maybe 1/8 thick. I stack them up and put them in my mouth, and started adding them as much as I could bear. That is to open my mouth and not let it close anymore. This was five years ago. I can only stick two fingers wide in my mouth, but it could have been worse. It is hard not to be able to bite an apple, or a hamburger, or a sandwich.; but that is the least of our problems, right? I would love to hear from you and how you are doing. Loli

Today I will undergo the 17th radiation treatment on my squamous cell carcinoma and initial signs of radiation burn are appearing on both sides of my throat. I am applying Aquaphor to treat it. I did find out that my tumor is HPV positive and the size of the tumor is already shrinking significantly. My side effects are mild, so far, compared with those others in this thread have experienced-a mild sore throat along with moderate swallowing difficulty. If no more significant issues develop, I will consider myself fortunate.