Lend me your ears pls

[pro728]

I am scared to death for my dad. He is diagnosed with differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the salivary gland which does not spread but grows very very slowly. The docs have removed 90% of the tissues and have done tracheostomy. They have referred him to a cancer splst.

I have no idea how much radiation he will have to take, how he will be able to eat n drink etc. I know, we have to talk to the doc and get our concerns addressed. My dad is quite down and says he won't survive the radiation. On the contrary, I believe that he will because he has lived with this tumor for years now (he never took a diagnosis). I have been coaxing him to eat well to get energy for the radiation. It is more problematic because I can't go along with my parents as I am recovering after a surgery myself.

It is draining me and my mom. I am really worried as I want my father to live long and see my baby. Please tell me how to survive and withstand the radiation positively. I know a couple of people who have survived 50-50 chances. Pls give me the courage to boldly face it.

[Kamal S Saini, MD, MRCP (UK), DM]

Hi,
Radiation techniques have significantly evolved over the past decade, making this treatment much easier and safer.
If the opposite salivary gland can be spared, there will be tolerable side effects.
You are right in identifying nutritional status as one key parameter which will determine his tolerance of further treatment.
He must eat well, as much as he can tolerate.
All the best, and God Bless!

[pro728]

I forgot to mention that 90% of the tissues were removed according to the docs and there were no other tumors in the CT scan.