Tongue Cancer: What are my treatment options?
I am having no symptoms, but after a CT Scan they thin I have cancerous patch under my tongue, what options do I have at the Mayo ?
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Head & Neck Cancer Support Group.
No surgery. He underwent 35 rounds of radiation. Because of his age, cisplatin (chemo) was not recommended. His speech has not been affected but he did lose his taste very early in his radiation treatment. He was told that he would eventually regain his sense of taste. His neck wounds post treatment are worse now than during treatment. (he is one week after last radiation as I write this) We were also told that this would happen for 2 weeks post treatment, so we weren’t alarmed. Keep doing everything your team is recommending, and with a lot of hope and prayers, everything will work out. Stay strong!
Thank you for your fast response. I am just beginning my cancer journey and have no idea what to expect. My initial thought is I don't want surgery to remove any part of my tongue. I am to old (79) to learn to talk all over again. I would be happy to load up with morphine and die pain free. I appreciate any and all info and advice.
Everything I hear is so depressing. I'm to old to go through this. I just want to go pain free and let nature take it's course.
Don’t despair. The treatment is tough but very doable. There are many new drugs that will help. The shock is just that. Work through it and seek good information and you can and you will get through this.
Thank you for your advice. I truly appreciate it. I am trying to be optimistic and am anxiously awaiting the biopsy surgery and the results after. The scan I received shows tongue carcinoma, but there is also a mass in my throat that is either related to the cancer or something completely separate. I received my diagnosis the day before Thanksgiving and it's taking until mid January for the biopsy surgery.
I see your post is from October. I would like to hear what your experiences have been so far. I have tongue carcinoma also.
Welcome @mojo244. As a 6 year survivor, what tips might you offer to @anybody10 who is just starting treatment and worried that the side effects of treatment are tough at 79 years?
Well I am 60 years old and the past 6 years has been a bit rough due to the following: chronic fatigue, chronic ear pain, extremely loud tinnitus, loss of hearing, brain fog, slurred speech, chronic migraines 24/7, dry mouth and extreme difficulty eating solid food.
I am currently receiving (4th round) Botox injections for the treatment of the migraines. Round 2 helped for a month, my pain level was down to a constant 5. Round 1, 3 and 4 reduced the amount of 10 pain days but never seen a 5. Doctor and NP say I need to give it at least 1 1/2 years (6 treatments) to see a good result.
But with all of my listed problems don’t be discouraged as treatments can be different for every patient! Your chemotherapy and radiation may not be as high as mine and your body may respond and recover differently from mine. The best advice I have for you is trust your providers, follow their instructions and trust that they are going to kill your cancer!
Don’t let worry be your guide, stay focused, know you have a support group and know your oncologist know what they are doing. If you’re a Believer trust that God hasn’t left you!
I wish you the best and I witnessed a 90 year old couple get to treatments in snow, ice and extreme cold temperatures. Each day the wife helped her husband in and out without help from staff. Though the husband was obviously not feeling well and his wife was a survivor as well they were like troopers marching off to war.
You can do this, many before us and many after us have and will survive!
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I don't look forward to the fight of my life but I do believe in God and know that he is with me.
Correct, fight the good fight my friend!