Question-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
I appreciate your prompt response.
The type of cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, inside the left cheek and it spread to 4 lymph nodes. The surgeon is hopeful he got everything he could see. The follow up treatment is to eliminate any possible microscopic cancer cells left.
How aggressive is this type of cancer?
What percentage of people with this cancer reach the 5 year benchmark?
The radiation will be given to the cheek and both sides of the neck. One salivary gland will be spared.
Any known information on permanent damage from such treatment?
Thank you for your help. My friend is taking "zoloft" to cope with this shock. His dentist missed the signs of the unhealing mouth sore at regular check ups. Please know that your assistance in making us better informed is appreciated.
Nancy
A friend had surgery for mouth cancer(buccal mucosa, inside left cheek) and will be going for radiation therapy for 6 weeks, everyday, and chemotherapy once a week.
As a cancer survivor, have you turned to vitamins and herbs for extra nourishment, beside a good diet?
Do you have suggestions to prepare (get the body well nourished) for the treatment?
Any recommendations to minimize side effects of treatments, especially nausea?
For my friend's case (inside cheek, and 4 lymph nodes with cancer of 33 removed) what is the prognosis?
**What percentage in the same situation as my friend (buccal mucosa with 4 lymph nodes in neck with cancer)reach the 5 year survival? I understand that if there is no recurrence within 5 years the patient is considered "cured."
What percentage actually reach the 5 year mark with his kind of oral cancer?
Thank you.
Nancy
Answer -
Hi Nancy,
A lot depends on the type of cancer, it's exact location and the aggressiveness of the cell type.
A 5 year survival is a good benchmark, however it doesn't necessarily mean that the patient is completely out of the woods. I would use the word "cure" with caution.
I have used Omega 3 fatty acids and anti oxidants before I went through the surgery and while I went through radiation therapy. I know of no particular herbs that will help nausea, but there are plenty of medicines that can help with that including the active metabolite of marijuana.
AnswerHi nancy,
Squamous Cell Cancer can be an aggressive cancer. One can only hope that all the cancer was removed. There is always a chance that microscopic remnant is present, hence the radiation and chemotherapy. Squamous cell cancer is sensitive to these therapies but can still recur. Close follow-ups are mandatory.
Chemotherapy can cause systemic problems depending on the type of drugs used. Hair loss, nausea and appetite loss are common. The radiation can cause inflammation, radiation burns, scarring, loss of salivation from that side of the mouth. A five year cancer free benchmark for this cancer is good . As for survival percentages it is an estimate at best and ranges from 35%-50%. Unfortunately, many patients get recurrent disease.
I would encourage the patient to get this info from her Oncologist. There may be some newer therapies that changes he parameters that I have listed.
