My wife was recently diagnosed with throat cancer - 1 week ago. Like most of you, our world has been quickly turned upside down with a lot of new terms, Dr appts, etc.

Originally a stage III (T2/N1/M0), her surgeon told her she is now (T1/N0/M0) stage 1.

We are getting a second opinion on pathology and treatments. Has anyone been through this - we are looking at combination radiation/chemotherapy. Also, if you have or are going through it, we have heard the possibility of mouth issues - dry throat, loss of teeth, jaw problems, and others - use of gastronomy tube for feeding, etc.

Does anyone have any insights as to what to expect or questions to ask....

Any realistic feedback - postive OR negative is appreciated...

thank you

Hi Kevins,depending on where your cancer is you have different sets of problems so maybe after you have been told axactly where it is you will be able to get advice into the side affects. My cancer was at base of tongue with secondary in right tonsil and neck tumor, problems are loss of siliva, trouble eating and swallowing due to scar tissue on base of my tongue. I had radical neck dissection and radiotherapy and was on tube feed for some time, i have lots of problems with use of my right arm as well.
hope this gives you some insight. However your form may be different and side effects may be less or more. Whatever form yours takes fell assured someone on this site will have undergone the same treatment and will be glad to give you advice.
Hope this is of some use and best of luck.
Maurice

Hi
My husband was diagnosed with throat cancer 2 years ago, unfortunately he died 4 months ago, but it is very hard to predict, his was a stage 11, but it returned 3 times. The original treatment was radiotherapy, if this is what you choose please make sure your teeth are fixed before you start, a lot of problems can be avoided if this is done. He had 4 weeks radiotherapy, but the tumour returned in his throat and also at the base of his tongue. He then had a laryngectomy and partial tongue removal, and was fed through a tube in his stomach. This was honestly not as bad as we feared, the worst part was the frustration of being unable to speak, he had to write everything.After 5 months the tumour returned in his throat, he started chemo but only had 1 treatment before he died, not I think from the tumour but from complications caused by the high doses of steroids he was taking to try to stop his tongue swelling.My own gut feeling is that surgery is the best option, we chose radiotherapy because it seemed less invasive, but most of the survivors of the group he joined seem to be the ones who had surgery followed by radiotherapy. If I can help with any of your questions please ask, I know far more than I ever wanted to!
Jennie

Hi Kevins

A T1/N0/M0) stage 1 classification of a throat cancer is good news , if you could ever call it that!

Treatment options are often dictated by location of the cancer as surgery is some parts of the mouth/tongue/throat creates too much morbidity. A combination chemo/radiotherapy is often advised for this reason. Some of the patient stories like Pauline's story, Upton's journal and KT Ko's story that describe treatment with chemo/radiotherapy will be helpful. You can also scan past discussions by using the search facility. You can look up links about treatments/complications on the MCF website.

Your specialist will be able to advise you on the issues you raise, but feel free to ask anything. Board members will answer your questions if they can.

Best wishes
Vinod

Hello Kevins, I was treated for T1/NO/MO Stage I tumor situated between the Pharynx and Larnyx. This was in 20002 I had a 20 sessions of intense Radiotherapy finishing on Christmas Eve. No Chemotherapy or Surgery was necessary in my case. I have had no teeth problems, in actual fact have had my teeth veneered. I did not require to be tube fed. I am one of the lucky ones and I know this. All pain was controlled by Morphine, and I had no bad effects coming off the drug.

The only drawback is the dryness of my mouth during the night - especially on hot nights. I can eat anything and everything. I have developed Hypothyroidism due to trauma to the throat area..I take one thyroxin a day and really is no big deal.

Dr. Joshi is right, this is good news for you about the staging. The prognosis for a complete cure given to me by my Medical Team ranged from 85% to 99% the 99% being from my wonderful Consultant Radiologist.

I went for my three monthly check up yesterday and everything is perfect.

I wish you all the best, and just keep thinking positive thoughts.

Kind Regards

Rosemary

Hi all these accounts of the stages of cancer worry me as mine was stage 4. Did not know this untill i asked my specialist a couple of months ago. Suppose that means I am doing well as it was fairly far advanced.

My husband had throat cancer. He tried the chemo and radiation. The tumor on his voice box did not shrink at all. They finally had to take out the tumor and voice box. But his neck is so damaged from the radiation that he is having bad complications.

The Dr. had recommended the removal of the voice box but Jerry opted for the chemo and raditation. We should of listened to the Dr. because of all the complications. He would probably be eating today if he did not have the radiation. The radiation damages the tissue so badly that I had three Fistula form in my neck. Two of them finally healed after six months and now I have had the first surgey to try to repair the major Fistula and am going to have to go through it again to try to get a fix on it. Unless the Prognosis is very good for the treatment ie. it will probably work don't do it.

Hi Kevin, just read all that has been written on these pages, throat cancer is a painful trip to hell and back, and eating is almost impossible, but everyone goes through very different experiences, as every body re-acts in a different way; I am a none smoker and hardly ever drank, yet I have had the classic cancer of the smoker and drinker, 18 months on things are getting better, but life will never be the same, as unable to eat the things I love, have to live on bland foods and soft foods.
Keep us posted how your wife goes on, we are all here for her.

Hi, I have to say that my husband has had to use a feeding tube via stomach, but he still likes his coffee and beer. He lets the coffee cool off in the morning and puts in his feeding tube. The Dr was a little concerned about the beer, he told the Doc that he sleeps better.

Does anyone else do this?

Terry