Metastasis to Lungs

FOMC
FOMC Member Posts: 25 Member

Had a CT scan early Jan and it showed possible metastasis from oral cavity to Lungs. Death sentence or not?

Comments

  • joannaw81
    joannaw81 Member Posts: 185 Member
    my answer is NO

    My answer to your questions is NO, it's not a death sentance. Keep fighting, find treatments, options, best doctors, believe....

  • caregiver wife
    caregiver wife Member Posts: 234
    Many treatment options

    ... for matastasis to lungs.  Husband in remission going on 2 years after matastasis to lungs and liver.  Has done very well.

     

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,445 Member
    joannaw81 & caregiver wife

    Thanks for a lesson in short meaningful answers it humbles me after comparing it to my long winded approach.

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,445 Member
    Well FOMC

    You put us in a spot on this forum with a one-sentence statement and question.

    First I would say trust in God, trust in your medical team.

    Then you are in the best hands you can be and {Never Ever Give Up}.

     

    Some questions for you. What type of head and neck cancer did you have-tell us your story-tell us a bit about you and your cancer journey? What was it listed as, as far as your cancer location and symptoms and what stage was it when they found it and what were the circumstances that sent you for your original medical evaluation such as soreness, bump or growth or just not feeling well? Have you had treatment for the cancer of the oral cavity as you describe it and if so what was it? Did you have surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or some combination of all three or did you have some other kind of treatment? If so where were you treated at a cancer center, hospital or teaching hospital or another facility? What was the outcome of the treatment were you declared cancer free for a while and the lung problem turned up later or was the lung metastasis found in the process? As far as your question stands it looks like you are saying should I give up, I've already answered that so please give us more information and we will support you as best we can-God Bless-Take Care.

  • FOMC
    FOMC Member Posts: 25 Member
    Started as a small white bump

    Started as a small white bump under my tongue around Aug 2017 (was a smoker so no biggie) then it continued to grow until I couldn't eat. Had a Biopsy done at the VA in Asheville, NC in Nov 2017 and it confirmed I had Cancer.  Was referred to the Baptist Hospital Cancer Center in Winston Salem for treatment. Stage IV Floor of Mouth Cancer (hence the handle FOMC) was the diagnosis. Had my 15hr surgery on 12 Jan 2018, half of my tongue removed, 7 teeth pulled, wrist-to-mouth flap, and neck dissection.  

     

  • FOMC
    FOMC Member Posts: 25 Member
    Sorry, felt like I was

    Sorry, felt like I was rambling so I cut that last post short. Anyway, had 30, 20min Rad treatments afterwards and all scans were clear (1yr and some change cancer free!) up until the CT scan mentioned earlier.  My surgeon said he was a little concerned that "something" showed up so, I have an appt with my Radiologist on the 27th of this month then a PET scan scheduled for Apr. 

    Got pretty scared when that "something" showed up in my lungs so, that's why my first post was very vague.

    So blessed to have found this website and forum. Have already spent numerous hrs reading posts and responses and for the most part, all of my questions have been answered.  Plan on sticking around for awhile so, thanks for allowing me to share.

  • Pclark21st
    Pclark21st Member Posts: 126
    FOMC said:

    Sorry, felt like I was

    Sorry, felt like I was rambling so I cut that last post short. Anyway, had 30, 20min Rad treatments afterwards and all scans were clear (1yr and some change cancer free!) up until the CT scan mentioned earlier.  My surgeon said he was a little concerned that "something" showed up so, I have an appt with my Radiologist on the 27th of this month then a PET scan scheduled for Apr. 

    Got pretty scared when that "something" showed up in my lungs so, that's why my first post was very vague.

    So blessed to have found this website and forum. Have already spent numerous hrs reading posts and responses and for the most part, all of my questions have been answered.  Plan on sticking around for awhile so, thanks for allowing me to share.

    Why are they waiting until

    Why are they waiting until April to do PET scan.   I'd it moved,  that seems like s long time to wait to get results and a treatment plan started. 

  • Steve1959
    Steve1959 Member Posts: 28 Member
    edited February 2019 #9

    Why are they waiting until

    Why are they waiting until April to do PET scan.   I'd it moved,  that seems like s long time to wait to get results and a treatment plan started. 

    I had SCC of in the neck in

    I had SCC of in the neck in 2016. My PET scans show nodules developing on my upper left lung. My oncologist waits 3 months between PET scans or CT scans (enhanced) to see if there is any growth to thest nodules. So far the nodules haven't grown so no worries. I suspect that you are waiting for April for you next PET scan to see if the nodules are still there or not. Scans are very clear nowadays so just about anything can show up on a scan. If you had a cold prior to a PET scan then there might be spots that show up on the scan but subsequet scans they won't be there. If your oncologist is concerned with these nodules then he/she will most likely order an enhanced CT scan. For now I wouldn't worry too much but do discuss this with your oncologist.

    Steve

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,445 Member
    FOMC Thanks For the update

    And info on your condition and treatment. I agree it is a lot to talk about and seeing something on a scan can be very upsetting. I certainly hope they can define what is going on and come up with a plan of treatment if necessary. Many times it is a false positive or nothing to worry about. They say on here "It's not cancer till they say it is". You've been through a lot like the rest of us but Never give up. Glad you are sticking around and just to let you know many have commented this is the best support site they have found-God Bless-take Care

  • Pclark21st
    Pclark21st Member Posts: 126

    Many treatment options

    ... for matastasis to lungs.  Husband in remission going on 2 years after matastasis to lungs and liver.  Has done very well.

     

    Did he go through radiation

    Did he go through radiation and chemo again when it spread to the lungs.   Asking cuz wtw in that spot and I want to know what 2nd round is like for him

  • caregiver wife
    caregiver wife Member Posts: 234

    Did he go through radiation

    Did he go through radiation and chemo again when it spread to the lungs.   Asking cuz wtw in that spot and I want to know what 2nd round is like for him

    metastisis treatment

    Husband had radiation only for a tumor that ran from behind his ear and down the throat, wrapped around the larnyx.  He was already retired and had a few years earlier had open heart surgery.  He was not a condidate for chemo at that time.  Tumor too large for any surgical option.  They maxed out all the radiation he could have.  Was in remission for 5 years.  (Went to the doctor for an ear ache)

    Oncologist gave him Taxol/Carbo once every three weeks "for as long as he can tolerate" for recurrence.  Besides spots on lung and liver, he had an large open tumor on his jaw.  After 18 months, doctor shocked us both by saying there was no evidence of disease.  He had embolization of the carotid atery after many terrifying bleeding episodes.  Doc said at that time, should the cancer show up again, he could go back on the Taxol/Carbo or Keytruda, etc.

    Although the agressive original radiaton left him with a feeding tube to this day, he has done very well.  It has not been easy.  He has remained active until very recently.  

    Unfortunately, he now has developed unrelated kidney cancer.  He is not a candidate for the surgery, total removal of a kidney, so we are in "wait and watch".  This is actually a listed option for this type of cancer.

    What I am trying to convey, is the options are many.  Through what may seem hopeless, there is hope.  And, with help, it is doable.

    Crystal

     

     

  • Pclark21st
    Pclark21st Member Posts: 126

    metastisis treatment

    Husband had radiation only for a tumor that ran from behind his ear and down the throat, wrapped around the larnyx.  He was already retired and had a few years earlier had open heart surgery.  He was not a condidate for chemo at that time.  Tumor too large for any surgical option.  They maxed out all the radiation he could have.  Was in remission for 5 years.  (Went to the doctor for an ear ache)

    Oncologist gave him Taxol/Carbo once every three weeks "for as long as he can tolerate" for recurrence.  Besides spots on lung and liver, he had an large open tumor on his jaw.  After 18 months, doctor shocked us both by saying there was no evidence of disease.  He had embolization of the carotid atery after many terrifying bleeding episodes.  Doc said at that time, should the cancer show up again, he could go back on the Taxol/Carbo or Keytruda, etc.

    Although the agressive original radiaton left him with a feeding tube to this day, he has done very well.  It has not been easy.  He has remained active until very recently.  

    Unfortunately, he now has developed unrelated kidney cancer.  He is not a candidate for the surgery, total removal of a kidney, so we are in "wait and watch".  This is actually a listed option for this type of cancer.

    What I am trying to convey, is the options are many.  Through what may seem hopeless, there is hope.  And, with help, it is doable.

    Crystal

     

     

    Thanks Crystsl.  We just

    Thanks Crystsl.  We just learned we have a recurrence in the mediastinal, right behind breastbone.  We're hoping that it is an extension of the tumor that went from right tonsil to top of chest...where this new mass formed.  They're hoping that there were a couple of cells too small to be detected that formed this continuation of the first one.   Surgery is not an o poo tion for us either.  They have decided to try radiation and chemo again as it did so well with the tumor in the head and neck.  Im just afraid how rad and chemo will be on his body the 2nd time. 

     

    Im sorry to hear of your husband and his struggles,  and yours.   Cancer may be in their body, but it affects us deeply.   Hang tough.   Hugs  

  • FOMC
    FOMC Member Posts: 25 Member
    UPDATE ON METASTASIS

    Had a follow up with my Rad Onc and she said she didn't see anything that caused concern. In fact, NED was her gift to me!!! 1yr 2months NED to be exact... Thanks to each and every one of you for your posts and replies, not only about your specific issues but also for others as well

  • caregiver wife
    caregiver wife Member Posts: 234
    FOMC said:

    UPDATE ON METASTASIS

    Had a follow up with my Rad Onc and she said she didn't see anything that caused concern. In fact, NED was her gift to me!!! 1yr 2months NED to be exact... Thanks to each and every one of you for your posts and replies, not only about your specific issues but also for others as well

    NED

    So very happy for you!

    Crystal

  • swopoe
    swopoe Member Posts: 492
    Awesome news! Congrats!

    Awesome news! Congrats!

  • big G
    big G Member Posts: 177 Member
    swopoe said:

    Awesome news! Congrats!

    Awesome news! Congrats!

    NED!

    That is great news. You have been through a lot but you have stayed strong. Hope you have continued NED.