Hi, as per my intro I have been diagnosed with tonsil cancer with a necrotic gland and the cancerous cells are probably on the base of the tongue not just on the top of the mouth.

I'm having a little trouble with clarity of information. I see a lot of comments about being diagnosed with a type of cancer - squamous cell? - no-one has mentioned the type of cancer to my yet, I don't know what other types exist, I don't know what difference it makes, and I don't know what to ask (all this being complicated by being in French, but I cope); can you give me some information and suggestions on this, please?

Also, re erbitux, I keep seeing notes that it is for advanced head or neck cancer. No-one has told me whether mine is advanced or not; since it has not spread to the lymph glands or anywhere else, does this imply that it's not advanced, and they simply have access to different treatments at different stages here on the continent? Again, what should I ask, please?

Thanks

This might help:

20 Questions to ask your oncologist

Mimi

Thanks, Mimi, sorry not to have thanked you before on this one.

Hi moptop,

My mom was diagnosed with Tonsil cancer, hers has also spread to the Tongue base, this seems quite common, although it can sound scary at first.

Itr sounds like you have Squamous Cell also, my mom is just about to begin her treatment of Radio & Chemo.

Good luck and let us know how you get on. I have asked the oncologist about Erbitux and he advised that it is no more effective than usual Radio & Chemo, so just stick with th advice your given. Oliver