Hello Navymum and thank you for posting,

I am sorry to learn that your partner has a rare type of  skin cancer known as adenosquamous skin cancer. This must be a difficult time.

When doctors plan treatment one of the important things they need to know is the cancer stage. How large the cancer is and how far it has spread.

You mention your partner's cancer is T3. T refers to the tumour. Although I cannot find the staging specifically for adenosquamous skin cancer. In skin cancer in general stage 3 can mean different things.

It can mean the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes but it is larger than 4 cm, and has spread into nearby bones causing minor damage, or it has grown into the space around a nerve (perineural invasion) or it has grown beyond the layer of fat under the skin (subcutaneous tissue)

It is possible to have a stage 3 cancer that is smaller thank 4cm, but has gone in to one lymph node on the same side of the cancer and the lymph node is 3cm or less.

So it is possible that your partner's lymph nodes are clear from cancer. The best person to clarify this with would be his cancer specialist, as they know his situation.

It is difficult because there is no specific diet for people with diabetes. Having a healthy diet and keeping active is recommended to manage diabetes.

We have general information on our website about eating and drinking whilst having radiotherapy that you may find helpful. The eating well booklet you have, although not specific to people with diabetes should still help. Another resource that might be useful is The Royal Marsden Cookbook which gives nutritious recipes specifically written for people with cancer,  going through cancer treatment and their families.

It may also be worth contacting the Cancer and Nutrition Helpline  for advice, which has just started and aims to provide nutritional information and support to people living with cancer. 

Everyone's response to treatment is individual. The side effects your partner may have will depend on what area of the body is being treated,  The main side effects of radiotherapy for skin cancer can be sore skin, hair loss bleeding and infection. There is more information about this on the link provided.

I hope this helps a little. Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Take care Navymum, all the best,

Jemma