Squamous cell carcinoma and acid reflux

Paintslinger
Paintslinger Member Posts: 70
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I've just started posting on this site today. This site is just what the doctor ordered (pun intended). There are some really wonderful people here who we can all relate to given the situation we have found ourselves in. I'm six months out from my last treatment for HPV positive squamous cell carcinoma of the toungue that metasisized to a lymph node in my neck.I'm still getting some atrocious heartburn (which I was told may be a side effect of the chemo/radiation) that is compounded by the fact that I also have acid reflux to begin with. Is this a chicken or egg thing? Has/is anyone else experiencing this? I'm worried that the lesions that may be caused from the acid may create prime infection real estate for the virus, and possibly a recurrence of the cancer, etc.
Thanks
Paul

Comments

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #2
    Protonix
    Like you, I had some acid reflux prior to treatment (sixteen weeks four types of chemo, seven of which were concurrent with daily rads and amifostine injections in the tummy daily)).

    STGIII SCC Tonsil Cancer HPV+

    That Tx ended Jun2009..clean and clear since.

    But anyways..., my aci reflux became worse after treatment. I have a script for Protonix that I take for it.

    I also was advised and have an endoscopy every two years to keep an eye on it. Keeping it in check and an eye out for Barrett's.

    I'd be more prone to worry about the Barrett's more so than recurrence of your previous cancer.

    Best,
    John
  • Ingrid K
    Ingrid K Member Posts: 813
    #3
    Skiffin16 said:

    Protonix
    Like you, I had some acid reflux prior to treatment (sixteen weeks four types of chemo, seven of which were concurrent with daily rads and amifostine injections in the tummy daily)).

    STGIII SCC Tonsil Cancer HPV+

    That Tx ended Jun2009..clean and clear since.

    But anyways..., my aci reflux became worse after treatment. I have a script for Protonix that I take for it.

    I also was advised and have an endoscopy every two years to keep an eye on it. Keeping it in check and an eye out for Barrett's.

    I'd be more prone to worry about the Barrett's more so than recurrence of your previous cancer.

    Best,
    John

    welcome
    Paul, Welcome.... and ditto what John said.
  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #4
    more to think about
    Paul,

    I had been controlling my acid reflux with Prilosec (otc) before this bus ride began, but now it seems like I am supplementing the Prilosec every day with Tums and baking soda and water. I never thought to apply the increase in Acid to tilling a garden for new cancer. Now, I think I better get a hold of my GP and get some advice. I haven’t seen him since the first lump detected on my neck.

    John is Protonix better than Prilosec? I’ll probably have to research this acid reflux problem some more.

    Worried again (ha),

    Matt
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #5
    CivilMatt said:

    more to think about
    Paul,

    I had been controlling my acid reflux with Prilosec (otc) before this bus ride began, but now it seems like I am supplementing the Prilosec every day with Tums and baking soda and water. I never thought to apply the increase in Acid to tilling a garden for new cancer. Now, I think I better get a hold of my GP and get some advice. I haven’t seen him since the first lump detected on my neck.

    John is Protonix better than Prilosec? I’ll probably have to research this acid reflux problem some more.

    Worried again (ha),

    Matt

    Protonix - Pantoprazole
    I can't really answer that Matt....

    I haven't taken anything other, and this has worked for for me.

    In reading, it appears that Protonix works very well for many... Your drug seems to have a lot of differring effects on people, to include.....dry mouth and having a problem swallowing, LOL... you might want to investigate some other alternative.

    JG
  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #6
    Refflux seems to be a part of the new normal. Jim takes prilosec for his. So far it has worked. Jim also had reflux before the diagnosis. Reading that others had reflux too makes me wonder if this is not part of the cause for mouth and throat cancers.

    Debbie
  • Mrs. Sarge
    Mrs. Sarge Member Posts: 206 Member
    #7
    jim and i said:

    Refflux seems to be a part of the new normal. Jim takes prilosec for his. So far it has worked. Jim also had reflux before the diagnosis. Reading that others had reflux too makes me wonder if this is not part of the cause for mouth and throat cancers.

    Debbie

    I absolutely believe reflux is the cause for some H & N cancers, except for the HPV+ ones. I had NO other risks, other than using my voice alot, which sure hope that doesn't cause cancer! I hadn't smoked, drank, oral sex, any other risk factor, AND I'm a woman, (I read that 90% of vocal cord cancers are in smoking men!!!) so that leave reflux! Started Prisolec approximately 4 yrs. ago and still got it, and a recurrence~~~~
  • KareGiver
    KareGiver Member Posts: 301 Member
    #8
    Mrs. Sarge said:

    I absolutely believe reflux is the cause for some H & N cancers, except for the HPV+ ones. I had NO other risks, other than using my voice alot, which sure hope that doesn't cause cancer! I hadn't smoked, drank, oral sex, any other risk factor, AND I'm a woman, (I read that 90% of vocal cord cancers are in smoking men!!!) so that leave reflux! Started Prisolec approximately 4 yrs. ago and still got it, and a recurrence~~~~

    Hmmm
    My husband went to the ENT several years re acid reflux before his diagnosis for SCC HPV+ throat cancer. In hindsight, I definitely feel things were brewing well before his dx. He is being treated for lung mets now and still deals with the heartburn and acid reflux.
  • Paintslinger
    Paintslinger Member Posts: 70
    #9
    KareGiver said:

    Hmmm
    My husband went to the ENT several years re acid reflux before his diagnosis for SCC HPV+ throat cancer. In hindsight, I definitely feel things were brewing well before his dx. He is being treated for lung mets now and still deals with the heartburn and acid reflux.

    How old is you husband? (if
    How old is you husband? (if you don't my asking)I hope that he's doing well. There simply has to be a connection (causal or otherwise) because when you think about the soft tissue at the back of the troat exposed to stomach acid, and then throw in the presence of the virus...volatile mix to say the least. For example, the acid could cause some cell damage, these cells are now more vulnerable to infection by the virus, which is when (depending on the type of virus present: there are many types)the viral infection of the cell induces those cells to become cancerous. I'm going to have to look it up because I've forgotten, but I believe this series of events/symptoms is essentially Barrets syndrome (as pointed out by John(?) above)with the viral presence thrown in for good measure. Our bodies are complicated machines aren't they?
    Take care and again I hope Hubby is doing well.
  • KareGiver
    KareGiver Member Posts: 301 Member
    #10
    Paintslinger said:

    How old is you husband? (if
    How old is you husband? (if you don't my asking)I hope that he's doing well. There simply has to be a connection (causal or otherwise) because when you think about the soft tissue at the back of the troat exposed to stomach acid, and then throw in the presence of the virus...volatile mix to say the least. For example, the acid could cause some cell damage, these cells are now more vulnerable to infection by the virus, which is when (depending on the type of virus present: there are many types)the viral infection of the cell induces those cells to become cancerous. I'm going to have to look it up because I've forgotten, but I believe this series of events/symptoms is essentially Barrets syndrome (as pointed out by John(?) above)with the viral presence thrown in for good measure. Our bodies are complicated machines aren't they?
    Take care and again I hope Hubby is doing well.

    Paul,
    My husband will be 61 next month. He had been out of treatment for the original dx less than a year when the mets were discovered (in April). He is hanging tough and now that the initial shock is over, just living life the best way he (we) can. I'm sorry you are going through this but fight it with all you have! Take care.
  • Paintslinger
    Paintslinger Member Posts: 70
    #11
    KareGiver said:

    Paul,
    My husband will be 61 next month. He had been out of treatment for the original dx less than a year when the mets were discovered (in April). He is hanging tough and now that the initial shock is over, just living life the best way he (we) can. I'm sorry you are going through this but fight it with all you have! Take care.

    Ditto
    Thanks and right back at 'ya. It must be really rough for the both of you to have to go through this AGAIN. Rest assured you both have a LOT of people out here rooting for you. Keep us posted.
    Paul
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #12
    Paintslinger said:

    Ditto
    Thanks and right back at 'ya. It must be really rough for the both of you to have to go through this AGAIN. Rest assured you both have a LOT of people out here rooting for you. Keep us posted.
    Paul

    DITTO....
    I must be having a long day....LOL.

    I saw your reply, "Ditto, thanks and right back at you....."

    I had to scan the page again..., I never saw where Ditto had posted....dohhhh.

    Ditto and his wife are forum members here, LOL...

    JG
  • Paintslinger
    Paintslinger Member Posts: 70
    #13
    Skiffin16 said:

    DITTO....
    I must be having a long day....LOL.

    I saw your reply, "Ditto, thanks and right back at you....."

    I had to scan the page again..., I never saw where Ditto had posted....dohhhh.

    Ditto and his wife are forum members here, LOL...

    JG

    I must be having a longer one
    I mistakenly sent that one to you instead of another member on another discussion forum. The "ditto" refers to agreeing with a comment that that individual wrote. (Big 'ol sheepish grin! :)!)
  • Paintslinger
    Paintslinger Member Posts: 70
    #14
    Skiffin16 said:

    DITTO....
    I must be having a long day....LOL.

    I saw your reply, "Ditto, thanks and right back at you....."

    I had to scan the page again..., I never saw where Ditto had posted....dohhhh.

    Ditto and his wife are forum members here, LOL...

    JG

    clarification
    I actually sent that one to "Karegiver" and hubby. Look three(?) entries above your last one.
  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    #15
    Paintslinger said:

    clarification
    I actually sent that one to "Karegiver" and hubby. Look three(?) entries above your last one.

    Hi Paint
    My laptop is damaged (trying to see if my IT guy and fix it ....uuggh, spilled water on it ....hopefully he will call back soon) ...so I just saw this post today (have to check the message board when I am in and out of the hotels)...

    I read your profile but nothing there ..may I ask where your cancer was in the tongue (mine was base of tongue) treatments you had? Etc., etc.

    I like to keep up with everybody ..but I put similar diagnosis to my cancer in a particular file than others.

    Hope you don't mind me asking ...if you fill out your profile I can see it there :)

    Thanks,

    Tim
  • Paintslinger
    Paintslinger Member Posts: 70
    #16
    Tim6003 said:

    Hi Paint
    My laptop is damaged (trying to see if my IT guy and fix it ....uuggh, spilled water on it ....hopefully he will call back soon) ...so I just saw this post today (have to check the message board when I am in and out of the hotels)...

    I read your profile but nothing there ..may I ask where your cancer was in the tongue (mine was base of tongue) treatments you had? Etc., etc.

    I like to keep up with everybody ..but I put similar diagnosis to my cancer in a particular file than others.

    Hope you don't mind me asking ...if you fill out your profile I can see it there :)

    Thanks,

    Tim

    Hey Tim
    I just finished writing my profile. Thanks for writing and thanks for the words of encouragement. I hope everything is going well for you (and your laptop :)!)
    Take care,
    Paul
  • dunny
    dunny Member Posts: 5
    #17
    ATTN: Paintslinger
    My husband was just diagnosed with hpv+ base of tongue cancer. His, too, was discovered through a bronchial cleft cyst. His, too, was needle biopsied with no signs of cancer. His, too, was removed and found to have a cancerous growth on the inner wall. And then the pet scan which lit up on the left side of the base of tongue.

    When I read your story on another post, it just seemed too weird to be true. We are headed for our 2nd opinion next week but the dr here wants to do 7 wks of radiation with chemo. We see the chemo doc later this week. I guess I really want to know what we should expect as far as side effects. And it seems you two are nearly identical as far as this stuff goes.

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