I have just found out that my 79 year old father may have cancer. He has had weight loss for over a year, his speech sounds strange, and he can't open his mouth very far. Two internists told him he was fine. (Despite a 40 pound weight loss). He was seen by a periodontist today who very quickly discovered lesion at base of tongue and tonsils. He will be seen by chief of Head and Neck surgery at M.D. Anderson. Could anyone tell me what to expect re. tests, treatment? We would never put him through surgery at his age. Thank you.

Hi
My warmest regards go out to your father and all your family. I was not diagnosed for 18 months due to an incompetent dentist when I was. I was given a Biopsy which was easy as the tumour was in the roof of my mouth soft palate when the results came back I was x rayed given a scan the I was given surgery 3 weeks later 6 weeks after my radiotherapy luckily I had the type of cancer that spreads very slowly and confines itself to a location. The doctors will tell you if the tumor is aggressive and give you all the options but don’t wait ask lots and lots of questions even if you think they are silly medical professionals often take it for granted we understand what will happen next I know its hard and some of the answers may not be what your family want to hear but ask. I will say this head and neck cancer is extremely difficult operations are very complicated procedures with adequate diagnosis and a prognosis from the consultant you will know the true implications please ask lots of questions right them all down ask the doctors to draw diagrams if needed.

Thankyou for your message. Fortunately, my parents live in Houston, Texas which his home of the world renowned M.D. Anderson Cancer Hospital. My sister is already a patient there with a rare type of Lymphoma. My father is 79 and fairly frail right now with all the weight loss. Our family would not want to put him through any major, disfiguring surgery. I guess we are hoping to buy him some time with radiation. My mother used to be the assistant years ago to the Chief of Head and Neck Surgery at M.D. Anderson. We have the ultimate confidence in the professionals at that hospital. I just hope that they will see him quickly.

Hello Becky

Surgery is normally avoided for cancers of base of tongue owing to the morbidity. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the usual treatment modalities. I am sure your father will be in the best of hands at MD Anderson. Do let us know how he gets on. Give him our good wishes for a successful outcome.

Best wishes
Vinod

I just joined this message board today and already I feel such support and feel so grateful that others care. I will certainly keep everyone informed about my father's testing and prognosis. Thank you very much.