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Head and Neck Cancer

Archives for March 2018

Proton Beam therapy
Right side tonsil cancer SCC, HPV+, stage IVa N2, no evidence of distant metastasis, both tonsils have been removed, no neck dissection. The plan is for 7 weeks radiation and 3 cisplatin treatments and then possible neck dissection. It looks like I may have the opportunity of getting proton beam therapy. I will be having a…
Radiation fibrosis of the neck
Hi everybody, I had throat surgery back in March of 2017 to remove/rebuild most of my tongue, with radical dissection of my neck to remove lymph nodes on both sides, followed by radiation and chemotherapy four weeks later. After the radiation, I developed severe radiation fibrosis in most of the front part of my neck. Most…
Hard to shake the feeling
I have SCC BOT and Tonsil HPV+ cancer. I did post on here before and received many great responses which I am thankful for. My first rad treatment is scheduled this Monday at 11:30 am. Also seeing head chemo nurse before at 11:00 am. Problem is I can't seem to shake the anxiety and fear and sense of despair about going…
Infections?
Anyone here deal with infections/recurring infections as a result of treatment? I had surgery for base of tongue cancer/neck dissection in December, finished up radiation about three weeks ago. Several days before the radiation was completed I somehow managed to get a "nick," a small cut, just below my Adam's apple. Couple…
He didn’t get a scan, but...
My husband had a follow up physical exam with a scope, poke and prod (up the nose with an optic hose camera) and everything looks perfect! The doctor said a scan won’t be necessary at this time and he will see us in two months! :) . He is 8 months out of treatment.
Peg tube with pain??
Just a quick note. Did alot of you who had the peg tube inserted get severe pain after the procedure was done? I've heard some people say pain was really bad! My doc said I would only have soreness. I was just curious. Thx!!
Correct answer please!
Good morning HN members I have a question that maybe someone can help me with since it's bothering me. I am going to have a peg (feeding tube) placement next week. The resident doctor scared me because he said a long tube will b placed in my nose and will go down esophagus through chest n go down More until it is next to…
Need advice
Hi everyone. Just a quick note to ask some insight and feedback. I am scheduled for rads next thursday then peg tube placement. Also on friday rads n chemo. Think that's too much at once. Has anyone had appts back to back like that? Kinda hard for ur body to take within 2 days. Please let me know. Thx a bunch!!
First Week treatment
WED-Fri was rad and that was a relative calm experience. Chemo minus the port went ok except the numerous trips to the bathroom to urinate. I have taxol, carbo for aobut 3 hours. I did get a little nauseated, stomach wise and constipated. Does chemo get worse or pretty much stay the same?? Today I went to work after rad…
To continue or not
Hi everyone, Here is a brief of my story- My mom was diagnosed with tongue C T2N1MZ on the base of her tongue. She had a successful surgery and is going through radiation. So far not good. We are three weeks into it and she is not taking it well. I fear if this is her situation now what do we have in store in the future.…
Recently diagnosed with Nasopharyngeal cancer (Please advice)
Hello everyone. My mother (51 y) was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (early stage 2, according to the radiation oncologist) last month. We started her treatment 2 weeks ago. Her treatment plan consists of 35 rads, 3 chemo (cisplatin) every 3 weeks and then the oncologist said something about 96 hours chemo after…
My cancer has spread
Hi All, I might not see you for awhile but wanted to thank those who have supported me, listened, and advised. My HPV driven cancer has been cured in my neck but has spread to brain and lung. I was aware that it could happen so no surprise. A new immunotherapy drug for me and radiation plan, though much more gentle. I have…
New Kid in Town
Hi there. I'm new to posting here, having just found these discussion boards recently. I was diagnosed HPV-16 last July. No tumor was found but several lymph nodes lit up in first PET, so I did 34 days of Rads and 6 doses of Cisplatin. I finished treatment in late October '17, and have been mending ever since. I know that…
Husband had his first Pet Scan?
Hi Everyone, Although his results were good for the tumor which there is only a small remnant with no FDG uptake. We were told about two small growths on the lower right and left poles of his thyroid by the medical oncologist. When I questioned if they did a comparison to his previous scans, I was told no. Finding this to…
Scared...
I was diagnosed with HPV+ BOT cancer about 14 months ago (Jan 2017). I happen to work at the academic medical center where I received treatment. I have had a little bit of a scratchy throat over the last week or so. I have an amazing gag reflex (or lack thereof) and can actually get a finger back there and touch the area…
Stupid Insurance!
So, my husband was supposed to have a follow up CT Scan tomorrow. He has only had one since treatment and it was clean (yay!). This was in August 2017 ... I think that was two or three months after treatment ended. Well, the insurance is not going to cover his scan tomorrow. I thought you were supposed to get a scan every…
Bronchial spasms
Has anyone suffered bronchial spasms after treatment? We did 3 cisplatiin and 40 rads. Went through and ended with bronchial spasms and now need nebulizer. Bf has trach and peg tube we're working to get removed in the next few months and have a machine for misting air and a machine for suctionung and now thus. Hoping it…
Pet Scan Denied by Insurance
Hi everyone, I'm 45+ male that was recently diagnosed (last Friday) with HPV SCC and this is my first post. My ENT was able to snip a piece of tissue from my tonsil area to confirm the malignacy. My ENT submitted to have a Petscan and a CT done but my insurance (Aetna) denied the Petscan and only approved neck and chest CT…
just need to talk
I am 7 months out from my last rad (35) and chemo (2..couldn't do the third) I have been reading the posts and realize that I am luckier than some and worse off than others. I dont feel like a victim, but need to vent! I have a supporting husband and a circle of friends that try to be upbeat. When can I cry , be angry and…
1st rad treatment
Had my first treatment today.. Took awhile to get going because they had to redo my mask. Too much pressure on my adams apple. Once they fix that and cut the mouth out it was a breeze. My question is I am starting mucus in the back of my throat. Like when you come down with a cold. Is this possible after one treatment?? Or…
Crying times
All this cancer stuff finally got to me. I cried a few times cause of trying to handle upcoming feeding tube rads and chemo. Will miss working badly as its good therapy to get ur mind off ur health issues. Ironically I help elderly people with thier heating bills so they don't get shut off which of couse is dangerous in…
Side affects chin and lip numbness
Hi to everyone, I am 5 and 1/2 years post treatment of base of tounge cancer. Dealing with many side effect of 35 radiation treatment and 3 doses cisplatin chemo. Sides effects include damaged thyroid, blood pressure issues, cervical issues,dry inflamed mouth and throat neck spasms and the list goes on. Managing all these…
Radiation Fear
I have SCC large tumor in the throat. Scheduled for rad and chemo treatments beginning of April. I'm just terribly scared of being in machine with mask getting radiation. I'm usually upbeat positive person but this whole ordeal just causing me intense fear and anxiety. Wondering if anyone else feeling this way. Got through…
Nausea during radiation! Help!
My mom has had 7 radiation treatments out of 30. She is getting weak day by day and is losing her mental strength. Constant vomiting is just making it worse. Our radio onco says it has nothing to do with radiation. All tests results are negavtive. Did someone else suffer something like this ? Please help!
Where have I been? (followup post post-treatment)
Hi all, You may remember my previous post where I gave weekly updates during treatment. I had an early response scan during my last week of treatment, which came back showing nothing particularly alarming. Shortly after that post, I had my bell ringing ceremony at ProCure and things got a bit worse before they got better.…
Tongue reconstruction surgery
Hello All: My husband was just diagnosed with recurrent tongue cancer. We are still waiting for an appointment, but I think he is looking at losing at least the majority of his tongue (he has already lost 1/3 first time around). I have two questions: 1) Who is the best tongue reconstruction surgeon on the East Coast? 2)…
Voice back after tonsillectomy?
Howdy! So I've had the tonsillectomy and neck dissection. Next is the radiation and possibly chemo (the docs have to discuss chemo at the next tumor board). So, as a 45 year old, does anyone have a ballpark idea of when I might get my full voice back? I have been speaking at a whisper for 2+ weeks now, although for the…
CURED!
I had my 5 year appointments and have been deemed "cured" by my team at Johns Hopkins. I was hoping to be totally discharged but my rad onc wants to keep an eye on me and help me manage the side effects. I still have to have a yearly CT scan and swallow study but there's something about graduating from NED to "cured" that…
6 year NED
H&N friends, I crossed over the 6 year post barrier and had my final (actually one extra) cancer exam and it was great. My ENT was in a stellar mood and he felt, looked and scoped to several good words “Everything looks great”. Of course there were more doctor words about no swelling, no mass, no ulcer, patient has…
Taking my first chemo dose tomorrow- Cisplatin+Gemcitabine. Worried about few things please comment.
Hi all I hope all of you are doing well. I was recently diagnosed with right tonsil cancer with right side neck level II lymph nodes involved and HPV+. Stage details include T2N2M0; which is Stage II as per the new guidelines on HPV+ oropharyngeal cancers, and Stage IVA as per old standards. My doctor has suggested the…

Head and Neck Cancer

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