Phlegm and Saliva filling in the mouth after tongue sarcoma

@vvlaraia

My husband is in the exact situation you are. We will go wherever for help, but there seem to be no options. We do appreciate that the cancer has not returned, but frankly, we were not prepared for the long-term consequences of the radiation. Any suggestions are welcome.

@vvlaraia

My husband is in the exact situation you are. We will go wherever for help, but there seem to be no options. We do appreciate that the cancer has not returned, but frankly, we were not prepared for the long-term consequences of the radiation. Any suggestions are welcome.

My husband had squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and was treated in 2000. He also had a radical neck dissection since the cancer spread into the lymph node. So many long term effects to list, but he has also been dealing with the excess saliva/mucus for years now. His voice is compromised and most people have a hard time understanding him and he is now on a feeding tube and has been nearly 2 years. He did have hyperbaric oxygen therapy several years ago for another issue, but that didn't help with the saliva issue at all. Meds did not help for saliva either. I am constantly looking for new treatments.

@roxanne43 Yes we are alive and I'm grateful to still be here. Sending you a big hug from Ohio

@niml Kleenex is my best friend but paper towel is second. I had right maxillary SCC surgery in May of 2024. I had an obturator placed in roof of my mouth to cover the hole in the palate. Prevents aspiration. However, radiation after surgery has caused swallowing issues and because of it not fitting properly, Liquids and food get underneath it and come out my right nostril.
So the phlegm and saliva are always an issue when eating or drinking. I have had months of speech and swallowing therapy and exercises to do daily but I cant seem to get them done daily.
All this has certainly changed lifestyle. I don't have a feeding tube and did not ever have one. It seems like issues with food get worse but in two weeks I go to UofM and see the dentist and NP.
The obturator is supposed to be adjusted and the zygomatic implant restored. (don't know what is going to be changed but my speech bothers me. It is not me. Eating is getting more limited. However, I am alive.

@vvlaraia I have that exact same problem. I'm currently doing myofacial massage to loosen up the stiffness in my neck with the hope that it would help with swallowing a bit. I have been on a feeding tube since my surgery in May of 2024 . The only thing I can swallow is ice cream and chocolate because I can let it melt in my mouth. I did purchase a red light neck harness and use it for 30 min every day. Not sure if all this will help me or not. I have only gotten 3 massages so far it has loosened my neck up already a tiny little bit but it's going to take a lot more work. In the meantime I should buy stock in the paper towel industry because I don't go nowhere without paper towels because I will slobber all over myself otherwise. I go to bed at night with it draped around my neck because I drool.

My husband had squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and was treated in 2000. He also had a radical neck dissection since the cancer spread into the lymph node. So many long term effects to list, but he has also been dealing with the excess saliva/mucus for years now. His voice is compromised and most people have a hard time understanding him and he is now on a feeding tube and has been nearly 2 years. He did have hyperbaric oxygen therapy several years ago for another issue, but that didn't help with the saliva issue at all. Meds did not help for saliva either. I am constantly looking for new treatments.