Proton therapy saved my ability to taste during treatment for tongue cancer

For Carlos Morera, the only symptom of oral cancer was a small lump beneath his jaw when shaving.

With a history of cancer, he knew that a swollen lymph node or a painless lump in the neck was among the most common symptoms of oral cancer.

“My first reaction was fear,” says Carlos. “I had undergone surgery for thyroid cancer the year before and was told the cancer was gone.”

His ENT told him not to worry but recommended a CT scan and a biopsy from a local surgeon near his home in Miami, Florida. That’s when he received the news that it was HPV-related tongue cancer, specifically squamous cell carcinoma of the right base of the tongue.

“I felt very nervous after receiving the news,” recalls Carlos. “I did not feel comfortable with the treatment plan I initially received. I wanted to explore other options because of the anticipated side effects.”

After talking it over with his wife, Edleen, he decided to look for a second opinion. He wanted to go to MD Anderson because of its reputation as the top cancer hospital in the nation and its expertise in proton therapy. Carlos knew about this advanced type of radiation therapy, which minimizes the impact of treatment on healthy surrounding tissues.

Settling in at MD Anderson for head and neck cancer treatment

In October 2023, Carlos traveled to Houston for his first appointment at MD Anderson to see head and neck surgeon Ryan Goepfert, M.D.

“Dr. Goepfert reassured me that I was at the best place for my care, and that made me feel comfortable,” says Carlos. Goepfert did not recommend surgery. Instead, he referred Carlos to radiation oncologist Steven Frank, M.D., who specializes in proton therapy, along with head and neck medical oncologist Renata Ferrarotto, M.D., for chemotherapy.

After meeting with Dr. Frank, Carlos felt better about his upcoming treatment. “I knew I was being treated by the best of the best and felt thankful for proton therapy,” says Carlos.

His care team talked to him about all the extra things that could help during treatment, such as yoga and acupuncture. “It’s not just about MD Anderson being the best. It’s how they treated us – it was phenomenal,” says Edleen. “From the time we got there, attention to detail was impeccable.”  

Carlos and Edleen rented a house in Houston from November until his last treatment in January 2024. Their four children remained in Miami and joined them in Houston for the holidays. “It was a relief to know they did not have to see me go through treatment,” recalls Carlos.

Managing side effects from treatment

In November, Carlos began 33 daily proton therapy treatments, concurrent with six rounds of weekly doses of cisplatin, a type of chemotherapy. “I was expecting to feel bad from the chemotherapy medication, but I never did,” says Carlos. “My nurse, Shef Ghandi, and nurse practitioner, Ian Moore, kept me informed about preventive medicine to help me stay ahead of side effects.”

Carlos did not develop mouth sores, but his care team asked every day to make sure they only gave him the medication he needed and nothing unnecessary. To avoid losing weight, he made every effort to keep his diet the same. He maintained his normal exercise routine of walking twice a day for 15 minutes, along with doing yoga a few times a week.

Carlos feared losing his sense of taste from the radiation, but he only lost his taste for sweet foods. “My wife and I got to experience the different types of food at restaurants in Houston,” he says. He scheduled his treatments in the morning and would look forward to eating after treatment.

“Treating Carlos with proton therapy gave us the ability to reduce the radiation dose to the anterior tongue, which then allowed him to maintain his taste,” says Frank.

Carlos remembers the worst part of proton therapy was the anxiety he would feel before each treatment. His care team prescribed anti-anxiety medication. That helped prepare him for wearing the mask and mouthpiece needed to protect his teeth and jaw.

Doing the recommended exercises not only helped keep side effects to a minimum but also helped him manage his mental health. “Once you let your mind take over with worry, it makes it hard,” he says. “I kept getting mentally stronger with each week, as I found out it wasn’t as bad as I anticipated.”

Life after tongue cancer treatment

Almost a year has gone by since Carlos completed treatment. He is back to his normal routine with no major side effects, except for a change of perspective. “Now, when my kids drive me crazy, I appreciate them and everything we have so much more,” says Carlos. “I’m so thankful to be back to everyday life.”

Carlos met a fellow patient of Dr. Frank who was undergoing the same type of treatment he was. They talked every week. “Having a peer to talk to helped me prepare for what to expect throughout the process,” recalls Carlos.

Carlos also credits Edleen for being with him every step of the way. “She is my rock and the reason I did so well throughout treatment,” he says. “Her faith and support made me stronger every day.”

Carlos encourages others to do their research and understand their treatment options. “Take it day by day. It is hard not to worry, but stay positive and do not think the worst,” he says. “Be patient, pray and have a lot of faith. I was blessed to have found MD Anderson and the right team of doctors.”

Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or call 1-877-632-6789.