Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma

lat46

I just got my results today for the biopsy of my throat mass. They said it is invasive squamous cell carcinoma. The needle biopsies they did on my lymphnodes in my neck were inconclusive. The one lymphnode is so large that it is over 1/2 dead due to not getting enough blood supply. They scheduled me for a PET/CT scan on March 3rd. What can I expect after the scan? I know they inject radiation into my veins, will I be sick to my stomach? I don't know what to expect at this point or even how to feel? How am I supposed to react to this after I just buried my father in July after taking care of him for 7 months. He had pancreatic, stomach, liver and colon cancer...it was found too late...I took him home and my husband and I cared for him till he passed away. I am not scared or crying..I kinda feel detatched. Is this normal? How do I comfort my family and keep them from being scared? I see it in their eyes and hear it in the tone of their voice even though they are not saying it. Any help would be appreciated.

JKGulliver

So Sorry To Hear This

Your story is very famliar to me and, I am sure, to many people on this site.  It sounds like you have not yet been staged.  It is important to get your stage before you draw any conclusions.  Your oncologist will tell you after your PET scan.

Everyone is different.  I can only give you our experience.  A PET scan is usually a diagnostic tool and is not painful, in and of itself.  PET detects cancer because the metabolism of cancer cells is higher than normal cells.  PETs produce 3D images of the body's metabolic activity at the cellular level.  

My husband was asked not to eat or drink anything for six hours before the exam.  He received a tracer injection which was sugar attached with radioisotopes.  He had to lie of a bed for about a half hour.  Then he went to the PET scan room.  The whole procedure, from check-in to walking out the door was usually 1.5 - 2 hours.  Some of that time was taken up by just waiting his turn to be called in.  The injection never made him sick.  Over the year of his treatment, I never knew of a person to get sick from the injection.  But, everyone is different.  There is no way I can say with certainty you won't get sick, but I can say that I don't think you will.    

Whatever your results, be sure you consult a specialist in this particular kind of cancer.  It matters.  In addition, ask if there are any clinical trials going on at your healthcare facility.  Don't lose hope.

 

lat46

JKGulliver said:

So Sorry To Hear This

Your story is very famliar to me and, I am sure, to many people on this site.  It sounds like you have not yet been staged.  It is important to get your stage before you draw any conclusions.  Your oncologist will tell you after your PET scan.

Everyone is different.  I can only give you our experience.  A PET scan is usually a diagnostic tool and is not painful, in and of itself.  PET detects cancer because the metabolism of cancer cells is higher than normal cells.  PETs produce 3D images of the body's metabolic activity at the cellular level.  

My husband was asked not to eat or drink anything for six hours before the exam.  He received a tracer injection which was sugar attached with radioisotopes.  He had to lie of a bed for about a half hour.  Then he went to the PET scan room.  The whole procedure, from check-in to walking out the door was usually 1.5 - 2 hours.  Some of that time was taken up by just waiting his turn to be called in.  The injection never made him sick.  Over the year of his treatment, I never knew of a person to get sick from the injection.  But, everyone is different.  There is no way I can say with certainty you won't get sick, but I can say that I don't think you will.    

Whatever your results, be sure you consult a specialist in this particular kind of cancer.  It matters.  In addition, ask if there are any clinical trials going on at your healthcare facility.  Don't lose hope.

 

questions

 I appreciate all the help and support.

Thank You,

Laurie