HPV P16 positive cancer

Did you receive the standard 70 grey of radiation & where did you receive treatment? We are looking for low dose to minimize long term side affects.

I was diagnosed with HPV16 tongue cancer in November 2021. I've just started treatments and feel better already. I'm told that it does get worse before it's better but that will remain to be seen. I've had 2 chemo treatments and 5 radiation treatments. I dislike the radiation treatments enormously because of my claustrophobia. The mask was made and it bolts my head and shoulders down on the rad. table. Then of course you get prompts about swallowing or not swallowing. Of course my body reacts in the opposite so swallow when I'm not supposed to. I've sort of tamed the fear of being bolted down but not completely. I usually have 2 days out of the week that I feel bad from the chemo treatment. It's a little frightening reading here about others experiences with radiation and the lingering effects. Are there ever any good outcomes?

My tongue cancer was caused by HPV16. My recommended treatment is chemo therapy and 35 radiation treatments. I had my first chemo treatment yesterday. I had my radiation mask made covering my head down to shoulders. This was the worst thing that's happened to me since being diagnosed with tongue cancer. I have claustrophobia and I started freaking out. Near the end of the mask run through I started trying to get the mask and mouthpiece out and calling for help. Finally that was over only to be told I had to do this one more time. I explained about my fear to the nurse who basically said nothing can be done just do it. Since my treatments will probably start in two weeks I have made requests for a sedating drug such as valium. I was flatly turned down and said it's only 5 minutes deal with it. I can tell you after that 1st day (yesterday) I was physically shaking and could barely walk. Unfortunately this was the one day I did not come with my husband. I am dreading my next radiation treatment. Did anyone out there have similar experiences and if so what did you do?

I was diagnosed exactly the same in May 2022. Doctors completed exploratory robotic surgery to identify the small group of cells on the base of my tongue and a needle biopsy of the mass in the right side of my neck throat area also came back positive. I completed 7 weeks of radiation and chemo treatments this past summer. I was cancer free in November 2022 based on blood work / NAVDX testing.

I just got diagnosed with this type of cancer. Am yet to start treatment but am told it will be Cisplastin (Chemo) and targeted radiation for 7 weeks. My mum had a very similar cancer treated the same way a couple of years ago. She has had significant damage done by the radiation and now cannot keep her weight up, even two years later. I would like to suggest a lower dose of radiation since this P16+ responds so well to radiation anyway. I'm hoping the radiology oncologist will agree...

My tongue cancer was caused by HPV16. My recommended treatment is chemo therapy and 35 radiation treatments. I had my first chemo treatment yesterday. I had my radiation mask made covering my head down to shoulders. This was the worst thing that's happened to me since being diagnosed with tongue cancer. I have claustrophobia and I started freaking out. Near the end of the mask run through I started trying to get the mask and mouthpiece out and calling for help. Finally that was over only to be told I had to do this one more time. I explained about my fear to the nurse who basically said nothing can be done just do it. Since my treatments will probably start in two weeks I have made requests for a sedating drug such as valium. I was flatly turned down and said it's only 5 minutes deal with it. I can tell you after that 1st day (yesterday) I was physically shaking and could barely walk. Unfortunately this was the one day I did not come with my husband. I am dreading my next radiation treatment. Did anyone out there have similar experiences and if so what did you do?