Just Diagnosed with Tonsil Cancer - How to Treat?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thank you so much to all of you who have responded! It really is helpful to hear honest real life experiences of others who have gone throught it.

I am not a doctor but this was my experience. I was diagnosed with HPV16+ OSCC in March 2023 at 56 years old. I had an option of Radiation/ Chemo or TORS surgery. In the end I just wanted it gone and cut out so I elected the surgery. Of course I was very fearful at the time. I have since learned that this type of cancer is very treatable and successful on either option. I had TORS robotic surgery April 2023. I had a right neck dissection as well with all lymph nodes removed as cancer had spread to a couple of lymph nodes and TORS surgery to remove primary tumor of 3cm at base of tongue. All margins clear. Also, I completed 30 rounds of Proton Radiation in July to "cleanup" and cancer that may have been left behind. I had NO chemo. I imagine if you are Stage 3 you will have radiation on top of your surgery as I did. As far as presurgery I don't recall doing much but waiting for the Surgery. The biggest issue I had was dysphagia and Not being about to swallow (eat or drink) for about two weeks after surgery. I would suggest to start doing mouth, tongue and swallowing exercises today. A Speech therapist can help you with this. As far as post-op. The pain is fairly severe for one week after surgery. I had alot of mucous where you feel like you are almost drowning. It will be hard to eat and drink or sleep. Think soft foods and Boost drinks. I had pain medications which helped tremendously. As of today I would say I am about 90% back to normal . It is a SLOW climb back and you will never be quite "normal" again but you will be alive. CT scans and throat scope every 3 months for a year or two to monitor any recurrence. Ask your doctor about the NavDX blood type which detects HPV16 cancer in the blood as it will help once you are being monitored. Good luck and Have Faith. It will be a journey for sure but you can do it! Stay positive.