Hi, 

I just wanted to say that I can't offer anything in the way of practical help, but my mum (also 62) was last week diagnosed with tonsil cancer. Just to let you know there are others here thinking, feeling and worrying and searching for answers the same way you are. Sending love and hugs. 

Thank you so much. It feels good to know I'm not alone.

How is your mum doing? And how are you?

We are only on day 2 here but it's been a rollercoaster of emotions already. I hope things are seeming positive for your mum and you.

Hi I'm almost 5 years post radiotherapy and chemo for tonsil cancer I was 61 when diagnosed. No surgery for me as lymoh nides were involved close to spine. I was h p v 16 positive ask if you dad is. Same applies to other lady. Treatments pretty brutal but we do have an excellent response to treatment. My blogs www.RadioactiveRaz.wordpress.com .any questions just ask. Try not to stress I am happily living my life. 
Hugs Hazel x

Hi,AG same response applies any question's just  just ask I've been there done it it's not easy but tonsil cancer responds well to treatment. 
www.RadioactiveRaz.wordpress.com might help. 
Hazel x

Sorry to hear of the troubles your family are currently going through.

Currently aged 54, I am an example, albeit an apparently rare example, of a patient treated for tonsil cancer by surgery alone.

I suffered 2 separate instances of tonsil cancer, first on the left side then on the right. On both occasions, I was treated by surgery alone: surgery to remove the tonsil & lymph nodes in neck. 

My circumstances were unusual however, and we were lucky enough to catch it at Stage 1 both times. It's been 4 years since the 2nd diagnosis and life goes on - it will probably never be the same for your dad as it was before diagnosis, but for family members, they seem to breath a sigh of relief and carry on as if nothing happened!

I wish your father well in his treatment.

Tim

Thank you all for your replies.

Dad has had further tests and we have thankfully had the news that his tumour has been graded as T1. There is cancer in one node, graded N1. Overall I think that's a stage 1 cancer from what I can read.

His surgeon has said he may not even need radiotherapy after surgery, but that we won't know for sure until his op.

He has a full PET scan on Monday just to be sure, before results on Good Friday and then TORS surgery hopefully towards the end of April.

His cancer is HPV positive.

Does this sound like anyone else's story? What can we expect for Dad's recovery?

so proud of him.

It's good that it was caught early and that it's HPV positive. It makes it much more treatable. Let's hope the PET-CT scan shows no further signs.

Your surgeon & his team will decide on the best course of treatment and recovery will largely depend on that. If it's just an operation, tonsil extraction & neck dissection, then recovery is delicate for a couple of weeks. Painkillers help manage it, and the neck swelling reduces considerably after a month or so.

If treatment involves radiotherapy, then recovery largely depends on the strength & duration of the treatment.

Best wishes for your father.

One very useful thing I read was for the patient to take it ´one day at a time in their own way'

Hi,

Iam 62 diagnosed with T2N2M0 HPV spread too two and one not to sure lymph node's on my neck last August. Finished 6 weeks of Rad 2 chemo on 24 January. My tumour was 47mm and not suitable for surgery although it wasn't until I was in for Tors op they decided not to go ahead because they would remove to much tissue on my pallet.

If it's any consolation for your dad that's great news surgery alone will be the only treatment required.

I had no option but radiotherapy and was told by a consultant to be prepared for a rough journey ahead, and that's what it was for nearly three months, not fully recovered now but slowly getting back on track.

Hope everything goes to plan for you dad and your family.

Hi,

Firstly sorry to hear about your Dad. I know first hand what you are going through and it is just awful. In Jan my Dad (62) got diagnosed with head and neck cancer caused by HPV. After lots of tests and a couple of biopsy's they found it in his right tonsil and right lymph node in neck so was T2. 
He has just completed 30 sessions of radiotherapy and 2 chemotherapy and they are hoping that has done the trick. We see the consultant tomorrow but I think a 12 week wait to know how effective it has been. Overall he has been an absolute warrior (considering he was also diagnosed with prostate cancer on the same day and skin cancer a couple of weeks later). He felt a rubbish throughout but powered through, still eating solid food etc.  The main pain was extreme sore throat and tongue and ulcers etc. skin is also very burnt from radio. They said it will take a few months to start feeling himself. 
 

I am sending you and your family big hugs as my Dad too is the biggest part of my world so I know what dark times this news brings. If you ever want to chat please let me know. 

Keep in touch 

Hannah x 

Hi Hannah,

thanks so much for your reply.

Dad had his tonsils out last Tuesday and we are still waiting for the results of the analysis of those along with the further biopsies they took during the surgery. We are not sure yet what the next steps are, but he has an appointment next Friday.

He's also had an appointment through for the following week for an X-ray of his head. From what I've read this seems to be a prelude to radiotherapy to check his teeth and jaw?

So it looks like radio will be needed which is disappointing but we will be glad to know it's been properly treated.

Wishing your Dad well in his recovery.

We are holding my Dad very closely here.

Please keep in touch too x