3 months after finishing radiation, PET scan recommends lymph node biopsy

Kevmosmom

My husband finished 6 weeks of radiation in July, after having a tonsillectomy and a neck dissection that removed one cancerous lymph node and 29 additional lymph nodes. He has HNSCC-HPV-16+. Last week he had his first follow-up PET Scan and unfortunately it shows Prominent FDG uptake in another lymph node. The radiology who read the report has suggested an ultra sound biopsy. His Oncologist wants to begin chemotherapy asap. We see his head and neck surgeon tomorrow. I am so afraid they will want to do more radiation. That treatment is BRUTAL! and I am so afraid of how bad the effects from a second round of radiation will be. Has anyone else experienced this, and if so, what was your follow-up treatment and how are you doing now? Thanks for any and all insight.

Kevmosmom

I forgot to mention he has an unknown primary.

MarineE5

Kevmomom,

I am sorry to read that your husband has a questionable lymph node. The sure thing in my opinion is the Biopsy, and go from there. The uptake could be other things as well, an infection (That is what Lymph nodes do) or tissue healing. I am not sure your husband would be a candidate for more Radiation after just finishing it back in July. Not knowing how may Gy's he received, there is a limit to the neck area. His Radiation Oncologist should be able to provide that information to you.

My cancer was Base of Tongue and the Tumor was removed with safe margins. Part of my tongue was removed which has caused side effects in swallowing and some speech issues. I had similar treatment after 30 plus Lymph Nodes were removed in a Radical Neck Dissection. As you mentioned, radiation is harsh, killed my saliva glands. That was 20 years ago. I hope you get all the information you need soon so you and your husband can take the next steps in this road none of us volunteered to take.

My Best to You, Your Husband and Everyone Here

tom1953

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1724817#Comment_1724817

Kevmosmom…

The rule I have heard many times is they will absolutely not repeat radiation to the same spot of previous radiation treatments. If it's not the same location, they may offer it. Wishing him the best.