Hi

Tonsil biopsy result is normally at next appointment,in my case that was 2weeks which seems to be the average timescale.

Radiotherapy timescale is after surgery plus healing time. Again in my own case I was told 5weeks healing time. So there can be a fair amount of time between one treatment then the next.

The way treatment is planned goes on how the cancer is assesed by the team treating you. Treatable cancer = surgeon hopefully removes all trace of cancer,we know this to be neg margins around tumour. Any further treatment is part of your treatment plan ie: Radiotherapy to target any stray cancer cells that may have been missed.

Once you have had surgery to remove the cancer  and surrounding lymph nodes you have a breathing space that the cancer hopefully has gone and any further treatment is belt and braces to back up your surgery. So in a nutshell the answer to your question is your treatment is in very early stages and RT is probably quite a bit later down the line.

I had biopsies mid Jan, surgery 28th feb, and still not aware of further treatment( end mar )until Fri,that gives you an idea of timescale it can be,but it is different for everyone.

Its such a minefield of info to take in, take each step as it comes,get your surgery out of the way then see where you are from there.

Thank you all for your replies,that’s helped me a lot with what to expect on time scales.Still it does seem a long wait when you just want to crack on with treatment.

Im going completely on what all you guys tell me and it’s all positive,really grateful that your here to help.Not that it’s the best club to be in.But it is reassuring that you all know what to expect.

ill wait and see what next Thursday brings and take it from there.

Hi London 1 justbto keep us up to date if we can help we will

hazel x

Does anyone know if your able to continue working whilst having treatment ? As I’m self employed ? 

Hi London,

Would depend on nature of work I guess.

I worked all the way through treatment but was glad to stop at the end of 6th week.
To be fair I work as a senior manager and able to progress some IT project work and also able to access network and work from home. Alternative would have not been an option.
Personally, I would have also struggled if there was any labour intensive work involved.
I think it might be more of a challenge to work when your treatment stops but again will depend on the nature of your work and more importantly how you progress during recovery period.
I 'm back at work phased, working at home mainly,  but I'm still not able to work full time and be in office much and I'm just over 4 mths into recovery.

We are all different and I did ask specialist nurse about the average time to return to work after treatment and recovery and was told no exact number but approx 6 mths would be what they would expect. Bear in mind though and I repeat myself is that we are all different re recovery and what capabilities are during this time.
Being a lumberjack would also have a bearing on whether able to work or not !

Work during treatment more or less do able, work aftre treatment - more of a challenge.
Hope this helps a little

regards
Ian