Immunotherapy for Squamous Cell Carcinoma, base of tongue

jkinobay
jkinobay CSN Member Posts: 301
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Brief recap: 2007, SCC left tonsil/lymph gland, minor surgery, 35 rads, 7 Cisplatin Chemo, still all clear last PET 3/2025. 2022, SCC right tonsil, TORS for tumor, RND of the neck. No chemo, 30 rads. PET 2025 shows reoccurrence near base of tongue. Surgery and radiation not an option. Waiting on appt to discuss immunotherapy vs chemotherapy. I am a 75 year old male.

Anyone out there with immunotherapy comments, advice, cautions, etc.?

Appreciate your imput

Jim K

Comments

  • LuvnTN
    LuvnTN CSN Member Posts: 80
    #2

    Hey Jim, I just saw your post… I have some insight into immunotherapy (Keytruda) since I have been doing every-three-week infusions since Dec 2023 (so, going on about 1 1/2 years). From what I have learned, immunotherapy "hyper activates" (words the doctor uses) your immune system to fight the cancer cells using your own body's systems. The upside of this is that it is not like chemotherapy with all of those negative side-effects… and some people respond very quickly (like after only 2-3 infusions); and, as a result, is considered "curative" for some people who respond well. The down side is that, because it hyper-activates your immune system, you own body's system can begin to attack itself. Meaning, if there is any existing condition that your newly-hyper-activated immune system identifies as a "threat", it gets attacked. For Keytruda, for instance, long-time smokers with existing lung inflammation/damage from the smoking, had serious reactions to the drug. In some cases, it can also create potential autoimmune reactions.. which just means your body's immune system is in overdrive… attacking parts of itself. The doctors do a pretty extensive history check to spot any potential issues prior to administering. In my case, I have not had any side-effects (other than maybe some extra tiredness sometimes).. other than that, my infusions haven't resulted in anything worth noting. It did "fry" my thyroid.. and, now I am on thyroid medication (and this is a common thing for people on Keytruda over a certain number of months). But, so far, while I am not in the rapid-responder class, things are looking really good on blood tests and scans. I hope that helps.

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss CSN Member Posts: 2,551 Member
    #3

    Good update and info here LuvnTN, thanks for the info and praying you continue to have success and soon be pronounced NED and Unremarkable.

    Wishing you the very best…

    Take Care, God Bless

    Russ

  • jkinobay
    jkinobay CSN Member Posts: 301
    #4
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1722775#Comment_1722775

    Thank you for getting back to me. So far you are the only one so I'm guessing immunotherapy is not common on this particular board.

    Sounds like your experience has been a good one, all things considered. I'm 75 and this is my 3rd bout of throat cancer…basically base of tongue now. I have been NED on my left side since 2007. But I had a new cancer pop up on my right side in 2022. We thought we knocked it out with IMRT and TORS/RND. But, now a reoccurrence. I can't have any more surgery or radiation so immunotherapy is my last, best hope…………and I'm just not ready to throw in the towel.

    Thanks again, I feel better and more confident with your imput. Take care and BE WELL.

    I'll keep you posted and may have follow up questions.

    Thanks so much

    Jim Kennedy

  • LuvnTN
    LuvnTN CSN Member Posts: 80
    #5
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1722776#Comment_1722776

    thanks Russ! God bless you!

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