CSN Login
Members Online: 19
CSN Home › Cancer specific › Head and Neck Cancer

Question about F & A results

Artray
Posts: 24
Joined: May 2009
Jun 12, 2009 - 11:40 pm

We just today had another series of needle biopsies performed at the VA. The pathologist who did the first ones 2 weeks ago said there was no indication of cancer in the 3 samples they took but the ENT didn't trust his info and sent us for another series.
Today, the pathologist (another hospital) did 5 biopsies and said that she was getting necrotic tissue. I thought that was a good thing since to me that means the cells are dead and or dying. She said that it wasn't a good thing and that that meant the cells could be replicating and reinventing more cancer? I don't understand?
They also did a CT scan which still shows a mass on the side of the neck, which he's had for 6 years and no one can tell us what it is...the doctors keep talking about the only option being a neck dissection and it feels like they just want to go right to cutting in...I'm really confused!

All this after 7 weeks of radiation and 3 sessions of chemo which he finished 2/22 so we're 4 months out. But thank god, he's finally eating by mouth and the mucositis has subsided ALOT so that's a real blessing. I'm wondering if they do the neck dissection will it set his throat back in healing (the mass is on the left side of the neck).

Any thoughts out there???
soccerfreaks's picture
soccerfreaks
Posts: 2823
 Joined: Sep 2006
Jun 13, 2009 - 12:25 pm
Thoughts

It sounds as though they are still confused themselves as to whether this is cancer or not. Even if it is benign, but growing, though, it could become a problem.

Me, I am prone to take the advice of the doctors, as I have doctors that I trust completely. If they were ever in conflict, however, I would want to wait until they sorted things out. Fortunately, I suppose, they have been in concert throughout.

I do know that there is much concern about unnecessary surgery these days, but my personal perspective, for what it is worth, and that is very little, frankly, is : if in doubt, take it out.

When it comes to cancer, I am not fooling around.

Just my thoughts.

Best wishes to hub and to his family.

Take care,

Joe
pmfennell's picture
pmfennell
Posts: 28
 Joined: Jun 2009