recurring cancer of the throat?

my mum was diagnosed with throat (voicebox) cancer in nov 07,she had surgery to remove her voicebox,tyroid & what i think was called spitall tube? the op was successful & she went on to have radiotherapy.
As far as we knew she was given the all clear once radiotherapy ended,however she was due to have surgery to remove excess skin which she developed after original swelling fron 1st surgery had gone,that was yesterday,
They cancelled it as it seems the area under her chin has become very hard,the doctor has said it could be 1 of 3 things 1.due to radiotherapy but very unlikley as it would of happened straight after 2.the onset of possible infection? what kind they havent said 3.recurrence of the cancer!!
Does anyone have any knowledge or experience re. this as we've simply been told we have to wait for appointment  for a head scan to be posted to us!  i cant believe a scan wasnt booked in then and there...nhs for you.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
There is a possibility that the hardened skin on your mother’s chin is secondary to the radiation therapy.  Can you feel any lump in that area?  If there is a suspicious lump, it could either mean an enlarged lymph node from an infection, or a possible recurrence.  
I think the best thing to do now is to undergo diagnostic evaluation like a CT scan of the head and neck area.  A biopsy may be needed to rule out possible recurrence.  Perhaps there are other CT scan facilities in your area where it can be done as early as possible, especially if the hospital where your mother is being checked can’t accommodate the request.  
Take care.      

[gagsy]

hi dennis,
thankyou for your advice mum has a head scan booked for today at 1.50pm so all should be revealed,however im sure (not 100%) that her lymph node was aleady removed!!so much happened that its hard to recall exactly,secondary effects due to radiation they said was unlikely because that would usually happen soon after treament stopped,and it stopped around end of april 08,we'll just have to wait untill later today for results,hence reason i cant sleep,im just keeping my fingers crossed and preying for it to be an infection.I did actually feel my mums face yest. and it is extremley hard but i wasnt aware of any lumps.
once again may i thankyou for your help and ill let you know the outcome

[fury6]

how did they know your mom had cancer?

[gagsy]

hi fury,if you mean originally we found out because mum lost her voice,she sounded as if she had laryngitisshe was like that for about 6 weeks,we unfortunatly had to keep nagging at her to go to docs!
Also with throat cancer (it mite sound mad) but i noticed a really bad smell,its worse than just bad breath you instinctivly know its not right,or atleast i did.
Mum also dramatically lost weight and felt  generally unwell.
Hope this helps..
If however you mean this second time we only found out coz mum was goin to have a bit of cosmetic surgery to remove excess skin below jaw,it had sagged alot after her voicebox moved,when she went to see doctor she told him area had become very hard and sore so a head scan was arranged which sad to say has revealed 2 more lumps,1st is again in the neck 2nd on her lung,they think lung may b infection? but r quite sure neck is recurrence of the cancer,official results due in 1 week (amazingly makin us wait atall)

[gagsy]

hi dennis,
thought id let you know that the ct scan revealed 2 more lumps!! the first is again in mums neck,second on her lung,she had biop yesterday and we were suppose to get results back today,however they wasnt but the doctor more or less said lung could b infection and given her 1 weeks antibiotics to see if it clears,the lump in her neck however he said was very suspious and hes very worried about it,he also hasnt seen mum for last 5 weeks and was really shocked as he said she has deteriated alot,he basically said it had returned!
he then said this time surgery isnt an option so she have to have chemotherapy but first time round they said mums too weak for chemo and it would proberbly kill her,shes no stronger now so where does that leave her?
ive never been so sick with worry in all my life.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
Do you already have the result of the biopsy?  That will help in ruling-out a possible recurrence of the throat cancer.  If the biopsy turns out to be a recurrence, chemotherapy is a reasonable option.  However, her nutritional condition should be improved since chemotherapy has many side effects.  The risks and benefits of treatment options must be weighed.  
Take care and God bless.