Tongue Cancer Survivor (Glossectomy)?

Sat, 27 Dec 2003 05:03:19 GMT in article
<[email hidden]> Bill Kampe

Quoted message said:

I was recently diagnosed with a large Squamous tumor on the base of my tongue. After CT scan and
examination, the surgeon tells me that a total glossectomy and possible laryngectomy is in order.
The surgeon and a speech pathologist was very up front with me as to what to expect with post-op
and what to expect of life quality. I would really like to e-mail with a survivor who can share
some details with me. If any of you are a survivor or if any of you can give me some tips on
finding survivors to correspond with please let me know.

Intensity modulated (IMRT=Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy) chemoradiation therapy can be
surprisingly effective against squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck area, with or without
surgery. If used together with surgery it's usually done before surgery.

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy at Mayo Clinic in Rochester <URL:http://www.mayoclinic.org/imrt-
rst/>

New Acceptance of Chemoradiation Will Help Boost Head and Neck Cancer Therapy Market, Reports
Decision Resources, Inc. <URL:http://www.riskworld.com/PressRel/1999/PR99aa24.htm>

Jeffrey S Tobias, David Ball Synchronous chemoradiation for squamous carcinomas. This has become the
new gold standard whatever the primary site. (Editorial) British Medical Journal, April 14, 2001
<URL:http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/322/7291/876>
<URL:http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m0999/7291_322/74435118/p1/article.jhtml?term=>

--
Matti Narkia

Bill Kampe said:

I was recently diagnosed with a large Squamous tumor on the base of my tongue. After CT scan and
examination, the surgeon tells me that a total glossectomy and possible laryngectomy is in order.
The surgeon and a speech pathologist was very up front with me as to what to expect with post-op
and what to expect of life quality. I would really like to e-mail with a survivor who can share
some details with me. If any of you are a survivor or if any of you can give me some tips on
finding survivors to correspond with please let me know.

Ask them about alternatives like primary radiochemotherapy. Don't be put off, get a 2nd opinion
(oncologist) if necessary.

--
madiba

Thanks matti and Madiba. I had radiation to an unknown primary near this site 11 years ago. It
included the base of tongue in the radiation field. The radiologist tells me that "a little more"
radiation may be possible, but could have complications. Can chemo alone, such as Intra-Arterial
Infusion be of any benefit to shrinking the tumor prior to surgery?

madiba said:

Bill Kampe said:

I was recently diagnosed with a large Squamous tumor on the base of my tongue. After CT scan and
examination, the surgeon tells me that a total glossectomy and possible laryngectomy is in order.
The surgeon and a speech pathologist was very up front with me as to what to expect with post-op
and what to expect of life quality. I would really like to e-mail with a survivor who can share
some details with me. If any of you are a survivor or if any of you can give me some tips on
finding survivors to correspond with please let me know.

Ask them about alternatives like primary radiochemotherapy. Don't be put off, get a 2nd opinion
(oncologist) if necessary.

"Bill Kampe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thanks matti and Madiba. I had radiation to an unknown primary near this site 11 years ago. It
included the base of tongue in the radiation field. The radiologist tells me that "a little more"
radiation may be possible, but could have complications. Can chemo alone, such as Intra-Arterial
Infusion be of any benefit to shrinking the tumor prior to surgery?

Just go for the surgery, don't bugger around with pre op chemo