Nasopharyngeal carcinoma slow or fast growing

sams@ntcallaway.com
sams@ntcallaway.com Member Posts: 9
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
My husband is in treatment for stage IV nasopharyngeal carcinoma.We just cannot understand how this happened because he was seeing a local ENT for almost 2 years for sinus issues!How did he not catch this?! So we wonder if this is a slow growing type of cancer or fast and aggressive.Nobody has been able to answer this for us.

Thanks in advance for all of your help!
Susanne

Comments

  • bany
    bany Member Posts: 38
    #2
    hi susanne, i don't know if
    hi susanne, i don't know if it's fast or slow growing. i checked many of the medical sites i've used to investigate my dad's cancer and can't seem to find any answers there either. i did read that 90% of head and neck cancer is squamous cell carcinoma so your husband's cancer may be similar to my dad's.

    it started the same, dad was treated for sinus infections and examined by many doctors over a period of 2 years as well. it seems that this cancer is usually diagnosed in later sstages because it is difficult to recognize as cancer until it's very advanced.

    dad's tumour was very slow growing throughout the 2 yrs, until a doctor said it was a benign lump and tried to remove it. she hadn't realized it had extended into his sinus until she operated and only removed half. the cancer spread rapidly during the month waiting for biopsy results.

    he had radical surgery removing half the bone and tissue in his face and tests showed he was cancer free until they did a biopsy of an unusal spot in december, and again the cancer seems to be growing rapidly, pressing on the nerves of his face.

    so from what i can see, it is a slow growing cancer until it is disturbed. and is reported to respond well to radiation treatment. i'm not sure if this helps you at all, i hope your husband is doing well now.

    elaine
  • sams@ntcallaway.com
    sams@ntcallaway.com Member Posts: 9
    #3
    bany said:

    hi susanne, i don't know if
    hi susanne, i don't know if it's fast or slow growing. i checked many of the medical sites i've used to investigate my dad's cancer and can't seem to find any answers there either. i did read that 90% of head and neck cancer is squamous cell carcinoma so your husband's cancer may be similar to my dad's.

    it started the same, dad was treated for sinus infections and examined by many doctors over a period of 2 years as well. it seems that this cancer is usually diagnosed in later sstages because it is difficult to recognize as cancer until it's very advanced.

    dad's tumour was very slow growing throughout the 2 yrs, until a doctor said it was a benign lump and tried to remove it. she hadn't realized it had extended into his sinus until she operated and only removed half. the cancer spread rapidly during the month waiting for biopsy results.

    he had radical surgery removing half the bone and tissue in his face and tests showed he was cancer free until they did a biopsy of an unusal spot in december, and again the cancer seems to be growing rapidly, pressing on the nerves of his face.

    so from what i can see, it is a slow growing cancer until it is disturbed. and is reported to respond well to radiation treatment. i'm not sure if this helps you at all, i hope your husband is doing well now.

    elaine

    Hi Elaine
    Thank you for your
    Hi Elaine
    Thank you for your input.I really appreciate it.Did your dad have nasopharyngeal cancer too?How did he fare through the grueling treatment?Robert had a peg tube placed early on, has lost over 40 pounds and is weak,disoriented often and unstable on his feet as well.He suffers terrible mouth sores and sore throats (especially while undergoing radiation).We're almost there.One more round in the hospital next week for chemo and then,fingers crossed!!

    Susanne
  • bany
    bany Member Posts: 38
    #4
    sams@ntcallaway.com said:

    Hi Elaine
    Thank you for your
    Hi Elaine
    Thank you for your input.I really appreciate it.Did your dad have nasopharyngeal cancer too?How did he fare through the grueling treatment?Robert had a peg tube placed early on, has lost over 40 pounds and is weak,disoriented often and unstable on his feet as well.He suffers terrible mouth sores and sore throats (especially while undergoing radiation).We're almost there.One more round in the hospital next week for chemo and then,fingers crossed!!

    Susanne

    hi suzanneno, my dad has
    hi suzanne
    no, my dad has squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus. he hasn't been well since the surgery, his mouth hasn't healed and as the second batch of cancer grows, the pain has become unbearable. he hasn't been able to use his prothsesis very often over the last six months so has lost a ton of weight already. he drinks ensure, soups, pureed stews, smoothies, anything mom can think of that's drinkable. we are waiting for his radiation to be scheduled, they promised this week but so far no word.

    i'm so glad your husband is almost finished treatment, fingers crossed for you :) i've read many suggestions here to relieve the mouth sores/sore throat. i bought the biotene products people suggested and my dad tried it this weekend, he said it provided immediate relief, maybe this would help your husband?

    elaine
  • awsumtime
    awsumtime Member Posts: 11
    #5
    Nasopharangeal carcinoma
    There nis a link between this cancer and Ebstein Barr virus. I know as I was stage IV too. Here is my story. I am also looking for a warrior. I was a kidney donor Dec 2006. The extreme testing I went thru to be a donor. Hiw could I, ten months laterI be diagnosed with Sstage 4 nasopharangeal carcinoma. Through IMRT radiatin and very aggressive chemo, I appear to now be in remission. The side effects are numerous, hearing loss in both ears, distoreted taste, no saliva, neuropathy in feetsoI stumbel, but the worst has been weakness in my right arm to wear i can't even lift a bagof flour, I can no longer type,button my clothes, pt on jewelry, I drop and breakthings, and on and on. I am now home and not going to be able to go back to work as I am ...was a h ig hly skilllled administrator. I nam looking for others too who have had such seveeeeeere neuropathy. I can live with all the other side effects, but this one really has effected my daily life. I also have frequent boutsof tongue parlyzation which ofcourse takes away my ability to nspeak forvery shortpeiodsof time. Any one else have that?I know we must nall be strong and look at it as though this was the price we paid to nlive. And I'd rather be alive. I am 49. Sorry about the typos.
  • sams@ntcallaway.com
    sams@ntcallaway.com Member Posts: 9
    #6
    awsumtime said:

    Nasopharangeal carcinoma
    There nis a link between this cancer and Ebstein Barr virus. I know as I was stage IV too. Here is my story. I am also looking for a warrior. I was a kidney donor Dec 2006. The extreme testing I went thru to be a donor. Hiw could I, ten months laterI be diagnosed with Sstage 4 nasopharangeal carcinoma. Through IMRT radiatin and very aggressive chemo, I appear to now be in remission. The side effects are numerous, hearing loss in both ears, distoreted taste, no saliva, neuropathy in feetsoI stumbel, but the worst has been weakness in my right arm to wear i can't even lift a bagof flour, I can no longer type,button my clothes, pt on jewelry, I drop and breakthings, and on and on. I am now home and not going to be able to go back to work as I am ...was a h ig hly skilllled administrator. I nam looking for others too who have had such seveeeeeere neuropathy. I can live with all the other side effects, but this one really has effected my daily life. I also have frequent boutsof tongue parlyzation which ofcourse takes away my ability to nspeak forvery shortpeiodsof time. Any one else have that?I know we must nall be strong and look at it as though this was the price we paid to nlive. And I'd rather be alive. I am 49. Sorry about the typos.

    update since january
    I was looking back at your january 30 mail and wondering if your symptums have gotten any better. i finished radiation on oct. 31 08 and chemo feb. 02,09 and still have no saliva, restricted throat and mouth,neuropathy of the legs and feet,and complete weekness all over my body. have these things gotten better for you? Robert husband of sams@ntcallaway

Discussion Boards