Just Diagnosed with Tonsil Cancer - How to Treat?

Well good luck, so far for me it's working out OK. One of the biggest things for me after doing homework and talking to others was the feeding tube. Some had radiation 6-7 years ago and their still on feeding tube. I didn't want to live like that.

Take notes. Be there. Don't get discouraged. Know that foods will taste different and may taste awful or cannot be tolerated as time goes by. A feeding tube may be necessary. Keep him hydrated and exercised. He may or may not want visitors, honor that. Know that he is more scared than you but probably won't admit it.
My wife would probably have a lot more to add to this list. Know this however, you have people here that can help or answer questions as they come up. This won't go on forever. All things have an end and a bratwurst has two! Courage.

Same with me...tonsils and a bunch of nodes on left. Surgeon was adamant that I hold off on radiation and just observe so that's what I'm following. Oncologist also said he would do low grade but would not make much of a difference. He's watching me too. Just did my Navdx test today. Hoping for best.

Was your diagnosis Squamous Cell Carcinoma? Did you require a feeding tube or were you able to swallow?

October 2023 had both tonsils out left on cancer and tissue removed from back of throat. I also had neck surgery and 43 lymph nodes taken out luckily only one cancer. Over all surgery wasn't that bad. Yes throat was somewhat uncomfortable and ate ice chips and drank alot of water.
Neck surgery was no problem at all if anything hurt it was the drain they put in.
I opt out of radiation after doing homework and talking to others. I now go back to surgeon once a month so far alls ok for now.

I had SCC on the base of my tongue and a couple of lymph nodes in the fall of 2020. I had chemo and proton radiation, since have had multiple cleans scans.

I wrote a blog during my experience (non-revenue generating) if you would like to review it. You can read it at:
https://stevefleurysblog.com/2020/10/29/part-1-the-beginning/
More importantly, my wife wrote a wonderfully insightful post of lists and non-advice advice.
https://stevefleurysblog.com/2021/01/05/lists-and-non-advice-advice/

This was hard on my husband and a shock as he was healthy and never sick. To have to have chemo, radiation and take medicine was very hard for him, so I’m the one to do everything else. I made appointments, talked to nurses, looked up things to see what works and not, etc. He slept a lot and not feeling the best so I did everything. I had to fix things he could eat, sometimes he couldn’t eat anything, it was hard seeing him like this. Now he’s all done and trying to recover. Good luck.

Thanks all. Everyone has a slightly tweaked version of the same thing but hopefully the longterm outcome is all good. I just started this journey with my husband and am asking what on my part (wife ) is most helpful ? I am trying now to fatten him up for chemo/radiation. Its not my style to hover but want to be helpful and supportive. Any advice is helpful from those of you who have gone through it.

Thank you cris2 for sharing that. We still have not made the decision on surgery vs radiation/chemotherapy.
Waiting on pet scan results then another doctor meeting, and will make the decision then. Either way will be difficult as all of these stories confirm but trying to focus on the bigger picture that there is life after this ordeal. On that positive note I wish you and your husband all the best.

My husband was diagnosed with tonsil cancer, same as you, a few lymph nodes in neck also. They didn’t do surgery since it already was in lymph nodes so recommended three chemo sessions and 35 radiations. They told us this was the best treatment for him, it was stage 2. It is hard, and since he is 78 harder. Just finished treatments and trying to heal. Good luck.