Tonsil cancer / radiotherapy

Hi all I'm new here.

after having my tonsil removed mid July they found I had cancer in my tonsil(right side).

I have chosen the operation path so beginning of August they did a neck dissection ( 2 to 5) and removed my lymph nodes.

Then on the 18th they done robotic laser surgery around the effected area of tonsil.

My real question and concern is what are my chances that I will have to have radiotherapy?

Any advice will be great. Thanks

 

Richie

  • Hi hard to say what the chances are as it depends on how clear a margin they got and if any cancer was found in lymph nodes. I didn’t gonthe surgery route I had 35 radiotherapy sessions and 2 chemo leaving surgery as a mop uo if needed it wasn’t needed. I couldn’t have surgerybtonstart with as one lymph node was too close to spine .

    sorry can’t give any more info but if yiu do need radiotherapy it’s hard but if I can do it anyone can

    Hazel x

  • Hi Hazel,

    A few days ago i found out that they did find cancer cells in 3 of my removed lymph nodes.

    Been told i will need 6 weeks worth of radiotheapy mon to fri. Read on realaible web site about possiable  side effects.

    what were you experances

    Richie

  • Hi Richie 

    Sorry you've joined the club  

    I had 7 weeks radiotherapy snd 2 sessions if chemo . I won't lie as the weeks go by it gets hard. But if I can do it as a wimp I was 61 when diagnosed you can do if. The radiotherapy can cause mouth ulcers I had one full length of side of tongue. The first 10 are ok then the side effects start to ramp up. By weeks 3 end off  I couldn't effectively swallow medication or enough food and water si n g tube was fitted it was a life saver . Once treatment finished the radiotherapy keeps working for several weeks so recivery can be king. By 6 weeks after I improved  but dry mouth is a long lasting side effect  I have a blog where my experience s are along with links to others. 
    I am now 3 years post radiotherapy and living my life   The side effects vary for all of us snd new ones keep popping up nothing you can't cope with. 
    www.radioactiveraz.Wordpress.com

    sny question s just ask 

    Hazel x