October 2006 my husband was dignnosed with base of tongue cancer. The original sight of the cancer was very small the tumor in his neck grew large and was what alarmed us. We were shocked my husband never drank or smoked and felt great untill the treatments. They were tough...radiation with chemo and erbitux. He finished treatments in Jan. 07 and got his feeding tube out in October and things were really looking up. Until his Jan. scan... the cancer was back at the base of tongue. We went to UAB Birmingaham where he was part of a study of forty to have robotic assisted surgery. There was no morbidity but the recovery was longer because of trearments. Thanks to having the less invasive surgery we were able to go to Disney in June. Then on June 19th we went to our local (Mobile) doctor who afeter a scope said he found a small red spot in the middle of where his surgery was. He said he wanted to watch it for a month and if there is a change he will biopsy. But since we have an appointment July 17th at UAB we were told that if that doctor thinks he needs a biopsy do it there and of not, when we return and there a change that the doctor here will do a biopsy. So needless to say I am very anxious
especially when we just had a recurrence in Jan. My question is how soon or close together can a recurrence happen?????

Ruth, Sorry to hear of your husbands recent development. To your question - I've had a recurrence from Jan to April of this year...and believe cancer has no time table...

best wishes,

bob

Ruth

I was diagnosed with base of tongue cancer in Sept 2006.My course of Chemo and Radiotherapy finsihed in late Nov 06 and I was given the all clear in Feb 2007.

Since then I have had a few scares along the way including lumps and swellings but none have proved to be cancer.In terms of re-occurence then I assume it can be any time within 5 years with the dangers points in the early period after the treatment.

I had no surgery but the treatment was very harsh and my mouth and tongue is still recovering.Everyone is different in terms of their recovery.The doctors always act on the side of caution.I know my cancer treatment team have always taken a very cautios approach

take care

Robert

DEAR ROBERT AND BOB THANK YOU RESPONDING TO MY QUESTION ABOUT RECURRENCE. THIS IS MY FIRST ATTEMPT AT AN ON LINE SUPORT GROUP AND IT WAS REALLY NICE TO HEAR FROM OTHERS WHO MAY OFFER SOME INSIGHT. AT THE SAME TIME I AM SORRY THAT YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH WHAT IS PROBABLY VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN THROUGH. I GUESS I AM WANTING ANSWERS WHERE THERE ARE NONE. THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON. I KNOW THAT LOGICALLY BUT I STILL KEEEP SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS. IT WAS VERY HELPFUL TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN THERE AND WHO I BELIEVE CAN OFFER A PERSPECTIVE THAT CAN ONLY COME FROM THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE.

I AM SO VERY PROUD OF MY HUSBAND AND HOW HE HAS ENDURED THROUGH ALL OF THIS. I WILL KEEP YOU IN MY PRAYERS.

IS THIS SUPPORT GROUP STRICTLY FOR PATIENTS AND SURVIVORS? IF SO I APOLOGIZE AND MAYBE SOMEONE COULD RECOMMEND ONE FOR SPOUCES. RUTH E

Ruth,
I can only speak for myself, but if this site offers you some comfort, I personally feel you are more than welcome. Being a survivor, I know a person needs some reassurance and encouragement to carry on, and to know there are others out there who understand what you or your loved ones are going through.

Sorry I can't recommend a site for spouses as well, but this is the one and only support site that I've been able to find in the last year and a half since I was diagnosed.

Best wishes to your husband.

Ruth..... I have always felt very comfortable with the friends and support I have realized through this site.... as the caregiver of my husband who finished tx for base of tongue cancer in February. So, of course you are welcome..... in fact, feel free to PM me and we can talk via email....
Nancy

Hello Ruth

You are welcome here. You might find this post from a spouse of interest.

Best wishes
Vinod

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,

Hi Ruth, I think most of us have searched for answers at some point, it's only natural. This is the best support group on the net that I know of so you're in the right place. Hagg.

hello ruth
as pembo says cancer has no timetable i can echo this i had cancer base of tongue 06 had tumour surgically removed and a graft from leg then reoccurace june 07 in floor of mouth then major surgery july o7 radical neck dissection i see my consultant every month as the chance of reocurrence is within the first 2 years i hope that your husband is ok and you will get support from the people on this forum
bevx

Hi ruth

i am a spouse,or should i say i was,and i have been a member for 18 months,during robs diagnosis,treatment,and unfortunately his death.This forum is filled with patients,survivors,husbands,wives,mothers,daughters,brothers and sisters and friends.that what makes it so great.
A whole family,and you are very welcome.

love liz

hi liz
yes it does affect the whole family they live every step of the way with you during your treatment somtimes i think it is harder for the loved ones to see you going through so much .and sometimes i feel the forum gives you a bit of counciling and lots of supportxbevx

Hi Ruth! This sight IS for you. I've watched my wife stoically stand by me as I got all the "attention" for my illness but knowing that emotionally she needed the support as much as I did in knowing what to expect, what are the "odds"... what's "normal" and so on.... if there is an ounce of hope or understanding to be found here (I believe there is),.... this site/group is for you.

Please keep us up to date on your husband and know that the support you need is also important to us (collectively) on this site...

so let me also say "welcome".

bob (pembo)

Welcome Ruth, from yet another Spouse, in our case my Husband has had Tonsil Cancer. You have already more friends than you could imagine. Ask anything you want to know, someone will answer your queries. Fran.

To everyone who was so kind to welcome me to the sight. I want to learn what I can to look out for my husband. I am scared the one thing I overlook will be something important. I also have to impower him with out giving him unnecessary worry. I got good advice at the beginning of our journey it was "don't ask questions if you are not ready for the answer" I also had to keep in mind what my husband wanted to know. I hope to chat with you more. i am not comnputer savvy. Do I go to my forum question or is there a place where you can read all of the postings Thanks Ruth Mobile Alabama USA