I just arrive in India two nights ago with my husband to help Papa, who was recently diagnosed with stage 2 scc of oral tongue. I am pretty much the one trying to help make decisions and guide the course. What is wrong here is that I don't have hundreds of hours to read all the stuff out there. I am trying to get familiar with basic diagnostic and treatment terminology for interviewing surgeons (like what is T1N0?), we have to make huge decisions this week, like whether or not to go with neck dissection...and what are the important questions to ask them?

What is more important, finding a really excellent ENT and reconstructive surgeon, or finding an entire team that is cohesive and includes all the docs in one place? or what?

T stands for Tunmor - teh 1 would refer to the size of the tumor. N stands for Nodes and then the number following would be size or number

my dad is T2N2A almost T2N3 base of the tongue - my dad is doing chemo and radiation as surgery is not a good option for him - hope this helps - I can't give to much more info as I am new here too and still have a lot to learn but I would think that a good solid coheasive team is what you need!

thanks very much, looking forward to hopefully more answers from everyone...:-)

Hello Verma, read your positing. In my own expereince, cos I rekon I am a fairly recent graduate here in terms of trearment for mouth cancer, I thought I may add a couple of points.
If my doctors told me everything in the beginning, well firstly I probably wouldn't have remembered everything anyway and besides I think they would have made me feel much worse about the road ahead, increasing my chances of not going for the treatment.

Secondly, well they are medical experts and I think if you ask they will explain everything to you about all the terminologies and acronyms.

Well I note your at the hospital with your patient, well done, over to them. I found the operation no problem, it was the aftertreatment that got to me. At least the hospital I attended issued me wih a booklet containing everything from advice on eating to the actual dosages and possible effects of the radio and chemo. I would like to think you would have something similar in your country.

I keep thinking of my goals,

All the best Nigel

thanks for your kind reply and keep on those goals!

The T1N0 is to do with the size and spread of the tumour.T1 T2 ect,are related to the actual size of the tumour( T1 Being the smallest).
N0 means no palpable lymph nodes,there should also be a third letter in the diagnosis,which is M and stands for Metasteses(secondary tumours).so it looks like your Dad has a small primary tumour with no spread at the moment,which is good news.

love liz