Hi, I am Gittu M/46 from India. I had developed a tumer in my leftside mandible. My medical history report cards says that "Ca left gingivo buccal sulcus, Excision and reconstruction in january 2008, completed radiation in april 2008". Now after radiation my weight reduced 15 KG. I am going to my doctor once in every month. My half of lower left side mandible is extracted and reconstructed with tongue flap. In month of July, I found a small bulge near to my surgery place just under the teeth with some white fluids coming out. Doctors advised to have a PET CT Scan which was found to be “No viable tumor present”. My Doctor said that it is a post RT effect causing my bones got infected. I took some anti biotics but till date it is not cured. Now the Doctors say that during my operation, two strips were planted in my mandible with screws, one of those screws might be causing the problem. I am scared of this. The extra growth bellow my left canine tooth is getting increasing day by day, now the size is almost 1 CM in dia. Though doctors say that it is not tumor, I am scared.
Also how I can gain some weights? What kind of food I should take always and what I should avoid. Now I can not take spices as my mouth burns if I take them. After RT my saliva formation reduced to 25 %.

If anybody faces similar problems pls advise me what I should do.
I Just read about the “Nutrition in cancer” DVD. But unfortunately that is applicable only in UK. Any help for my problems?

hi gittu
welcome to the site that no one really wants to join,having said that there is a lot of support on here from everyone as we are all in the same boat some worse sadly.can you eat anything gittu? if you cannot eat at all then maybe you need a peg in your stomach so you can put some nutrients into your tube to either gain that weight back or stop you losing anymore weight.of course you are scared we all are at some point and if there is anyway we can help you we will gladly do so.as for the reduction in saliva there are gels about that will help a bit to make your mouth more comfortable.18 months after treatment i too cannot tolerate spices of any sort,even the merest amount of pepper has me in agony.if you can eat then stick to soups without spices or bland foods.do you have any taste buds? please keep intouch with us and we will try and help anyway we can. all the best shirl xxx

Hello Gittu

Ask your doctors about the swelling. If it is caused by an infection (screw?) it needs to be treated (antibiotics, screw removal, etc). You will find many past tips on foods by doing a word phrase search of the site e.g. 'food tips' and 'food weight'.

You can find links to information on eating and recipes on the Nutrition in Cancer (free DVD) webpage.

Hope that helps.

Best wishes
Vinod

Hi Shril, Hi Dr Vinod,
Thanks a lot to respond me. About me, I founf this cancer on 12th Jan 2008, Got operated on 19th Jan 2008 in Indo American Cancer Hospital located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. My Tumer size was 3 cm dia, same was removed along with half of my left side mandible. I finished my RT on 3rd April 2008. During RT I could not sallow any thing, but resisted that phase. Now my test buds are back. I can take solid food (Not any dry food). Every thing was OK except that I became very weak and lost 1 KG of weight during RT. In month of July, I found a red/ pink patch with a small bubble near my operated area. I got scared, immadiately rushed to my doctor, he advised to have a PET CT Scan which was found to be free from any tumer. after that I have taken antibiotic course thrice, during taking those medicins I that extra growth size is getting reduced, but after some days it again increases. That is causing me to concern. Now my doctors are saying to have anaother scan.
Here in this site I found other persons having greater problem that me. But I liked this site to have so many co sufferers and advisors.

Once again I thank u to respond to me. Now I do not have both mental and physical strength to resist another operation, so scared.
Thanks

This message has been edited. Last edited by: brm1,