Oral Cancer, surgery done..waiting for further treatment

@raj2020 I’m really sorry to hear about your sister’s cancer. How has she been doing? Usually, the doctors do wait awhile after surgery in order for the patient to recover and the wound to heal. It is very important for the wound to be mostly healed before further treatment. I found an article that you might want to read about oral cancer and radiation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3613874/
As far as metastasis, and tests, your doctor is the best one to know. Has he received permission from your sister to discuss all this with you? A federal law says he/she has to have this. Can you ask your sister to give the doctor this permission and then speak to her/him?
Here is another website for you.
https://oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/radiation-side-effects/

Hi @raj2020, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community where people can share experiences and ask each other questions about any health issue. We can't give professional medical advice. For this reason, I removed the image your sister's medical record. It's not advisable to share personal medical records on a public forum.

You'll also notice that I moved your message to the Head & Neck Cancer group. I did this so that you can meet other members who have had treatment for oral cancer, like @sews @karenjf @alpaca and @loli. They can share their experiences with you.

Raj, you are asking really good questions. These are questions that your sister's cancer team should be able to answer for you. As @becsbuddy said, it is important that the skin heal before starting radiation. I know you're worried about the cancer spreading. That's why I think you and your sister need clear answers from her specialists. They can put your mind at ease.

Hi All, thanks for your replies, my main concern is what are negative sides if we have to start radiation after 2 or 3 months of surgery, instead of 1 month recommended.
I am taking advice from our primary doctor also 2nd opinion from other doctors, I am asking for 3rd opinion here.
Please feel free to share you knowledge ,experience and opinion freely.

@raj2020 Like @colleenyoung has said, we cannot give medical opinions because none of us are medical professionals. We can only help and guide you. You mentioned your primary doctor—is he/she an oncologist? She would be the best source of information. Has your sister been referred to a radiation oncologist? He would be an even better source of information. The doctors would not have your sister wait if it puts her in a dangerous position. I wish we could do more for your sister but, really, the doctors have all the answers.

Hi Raj,
I had exactly the same cancer in the cheek seven years ago. My surgery was on March 27 and I did not start radiation until May 20th through July 3rd. Your sisters skin has to heal because radiation will burn her skin. So be patient. I do not have time right now to write more about my case; but I just want to let you know, that you have to trust her doctors about radiation treatment. If they took her cheek out, even her outer skin, it means that they were careful to make sure the cancer was removed. In my case, my cancer was at the beginning stage, so my doctor did not remove my outer skin. I was lucky. Loli

Hi Loli thanks for your reply,it's sad that you also have to go through all this, but good point is it was being treated on time..Hope you are 100% free and enjoying your life fully.

I had oral cancer with removal of lymph nodes and part of jaw bone! Any help on swallowing? Back teeth removed!

I was diagnosed with HNSSC base tongue left side Metastasis to Lympnodes left neck. My primary ordered a STAT PET Scan on 2/23/22. Confirmed cancer. He referred me to UK Head & Neck cancer center. A University Medical center has all the latest and best treatments for any kind of cancer or medical treatment. I had Chemo/Radiation for 7 weeks started 5/9/22.
I'm still in remission. I'm hoping your Primary referred you guys to Oncologist.
I would like to know how it turned out. My Radiation treatment caused Radiation burns in my throat and an ulcer in jaw on left side, and severe mucositis. It can cause pain, and can affect the mouth, throat, tongue, cheeks, gums, and roof or floor of the mouth. Mucositis is a common side effect of chemotherapy, radiation therapy. Magic mouth wash with lidocaine and benadryl helped some but I had to get nasal gastric tube for at home feedings for months.

Swallowing requires the use of roughly fifty separate muscles and the communication and reflex between all of them. If you had radiation this could add to the difficulty and time to heal. If not, practice with sips of water to exercise the muscle communication is my recommendation. How long ago since treatment? Was radiation involved?
By the way, I see you are new here. Welcome. I hope you can find some answers from others as well.

Seven days ago! I was told no bread even though I eat tiny bites with liquid Did you have lots of swelling. If so is it better to eat hot or cold food. How long until pain in tongue resolves.