Finding a family when facing cancer

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07/10/23

When Ja Uthayanaka began experiencing a familiar pain in her jaw in December 2016, she contacted her doctor. After completing an MRI and biopsy, her doctor confirmed the adenoid cystic carcinoma had returned. Although 10 years had gone by since she battled cancer, Ja distinctly remembers the physical suffering she endured at that time.

“I remember sitting in my car and just sobbing,” Ja recalls. “I said to myself, ‘here we go again.’”

The treatment options for head and neck cancers include surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. For Ja, it was a combination of the three. Fortunately for Ja, the tumor in her jaw had a slow growth so doctors were able to surgically remove the tumor wrapped around her nerve. Once she recovered from her surgery, physicians would begin concurrent chemotherapy and proton therapy treatment.

“I had not heard of proton therapy, so I began to research it,” Ja said.

She began treatment at the Proton Therapy Center in May 2017, where she completed a total of 30 treatments. Ja was amazed by the comprehensive care offered at MD Anderson that included an individualized treatment plan focused on her different needs.

“The way Dr. Gunn looked at me the first day, I knew he sincerely wanted to help me. I knew how deeply he cared about me and wanted to heal me,” Ja shared.

Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online at: https://my.mdanderson.org/Requ....estAppointment?cmpid