Oral Cancer - Tumour on Tongue

Hi, I was diagnosed in February last year with cancer of the tongue. Professor Stassen, St James, explained I would need surgery to remove the tumour. After discussions with Professor Stassen and Prof Hollywood, St, Lukes, I opted for chemo 5 sessions, and radiotherapy - 35 sessions prior to surgery. My husband (actually my ex husband, who has been by my side all through this, my rock) and I really hoped it would kill the tumour, (it didn't ) but it did reduce it.

I eventually had surgery in November 2012. The theatre procedure was right total hemiglossectomy, a right modified radical neck dissection, and they did a reconstruction with left anterolateral thigh flap to reconstruct the right tongue, floor of the mouth. I was told I would not be able to speak after the surgery, but I may be able to make sounds.

However, three weeks after surgery I did talk. My speech is no where like it used to be and I do tell people that I had an operation as it helps relax things. I had a great speech therapist who helped me improve.

Also as I had radiotherapy before the operation it meant that the healing process was a lot slower and I now suffer from lympheodema as they also removed a number of lymph nodes from the right side of my neck. At the minute I attend a therapist who specialises in lymphatic massage.

This whole cancer thing is very hard, everything in my life has changed and it is very hard on my family too. I hope sharing my experience of oral cancer so far, helps in some way.

Biopsy tongue 3/1/12 (49 yrs, 2 sons, 21 and 20).
Diagnosed Cancer 1/2/12
PET CT 6 cm lesion 16/2/12
Surgery scheduled March, however larger lesion discovered, surgery postponed 9/3/12
PEG / Rig 15/3/12
5 Chemo 35 Radio
PET CT good response 2/10/12
Biopsy 18/10/12 cancer still there
MRI showed Lesion reduced 15/11/12
Surgery - Trachea, R hemiglossectomy R mod radical neck dissection, L anterolateral thigh flap 16/11/12
Diagnosis yPT2NoMo