Radiation?

roost22
roost22 Member Posts: 4
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I was diagnosed with scc 2/17/11 right tonsil, had a tonsillectomy+, modified right neck dissection at Mayo clinic on 3/4/11. Right tonsil tumor 4.8 cm hpv+, left tonsil clean, 39 nodes removed, one node tumor 2.8cm no extracapsular ext., other nodes neg. Surgeon is not recommending rad. and wants to see me every three months. Seems like I am the only one on here that has not been recommended to have rads. Any input? Bob

Comments

  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #2
    Surgeons
    There is a recurring theme here... Surgeons are NOT typically the 'go to' people to ask about radiation. They know quite a bit less about it than do the doctors who specialize in radiation treatments. Given the extent of spread of your cancer, it is on the move. I'd get a second opinion.

    Sending healing thoughts. You've been throuh so much already.

    Deb
  • palmyrafan
    palmyrafan Member Posts: 396
    #3
    Radiation
    I agree with Deb. Now is the time to get a 2nd opinion from another doctor including a Radiation Oncologist. I would first see another surgeon to get their input. Your original surgeon may not have mentioned rads because to him he might not know all there is to know about it. Hard to believe but I've seen it happen.

    Try to find a surgeon who specializes in what you have. It is possible they have other treatment ideas (including radiation) that will help you.

    Good luck and you are in my prayers.
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #4
    palmyrafan said:

    Radiation
    I agree with Deb. Now is the time to get a 2nd opinion from another doctor including a Radiation Oncologist. I would first see another surgeon to get their input. Your original surgeon may not have mentioned rads because to him he might not know all there is to know about it. Hard to believe but I've seen it happen.

    Try to find a surgeon who specializes in what you have. It is possible they have other treatment ideas (including radiation) that will help you.

    Good luck and you are in my prayers.

    The hospital I was treated
    The hospital I was treated at had a tumor board. ENT, Dentist, RO, Hemotologist Onc....... A bunch of docs on my team that make the recommendations for treatment. There are hospitals out there that have this.

    I think I would get a second opinion. I got three opinions due to my unique medical situation.
  • adventurebob
    adventurebob Member Posts: 691
    #5
    Agree
    Yep, 2nd and 3rd opinions are mandatory in my book. Otherwise you're trusting it all to one doc and unfortunately they do make mistakes that cost people lives. It would be great if you didn't have to do radiation though. Perhaps that will be the consensus. Let us know.
    \
    Bob
  • roost22
    roost22 Member Posts: 4
    #6
    palmyrafan said:

    Radiation
    I agree with Deb. Now is the time to get a 2nd opinion from another doctor including a Radiation Oncologist. I would first see another surgeon to get their input. Your original surgeon may not have mentioned rads because to him he might not know all there is to know about it. Hard to believe but I've seen it happen.

    Try to find a surgeon who specializes in what you have. It is possible they have other treatment ideas (including radiation) that will help you.

    Good luck and you are in my prayers.

    radiation
    This is Mayo clinic and the Dr. I am seeing does nothing but Head and neck cancer using robotic surgery. I am going to see my local ENT but he is the one who sent me there and told me he could do the surgery " I see 3 patients a year with tonsil cancer, they see 3 a day, thats all they do is throat cancer" I did see a MO and a RO before I decided on surgery. My conclusion was 1)MO says chemo 2) RO says radiation 3) surgeon says surgery 4) cheesemaker says eat cheese. Maybe I will talk to RO again after surgery, He did spend the time with me explaining all three options and there pluses and minuses.
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #7
    roost22 said:

    radiation
    This is Mayo clinic and the Dr. I am seeing does nothing but Head and neck cancer using robotic surgery. I am going to see my local ENT but he is the one who sent me there and told me he could do the surgery " I see 3 patients a year with tonsil cancer, they see 3 a day, thats all they do is throat cancer" I did see a MO and a RO before I decided on surgery. My conclusion was 1)MO says chemo 2) RO says radiation 3) surgeon says surgery 4) cheesemaker says eat cheese. Maybe I will talk to RO again after surgery, He did spend the time with me explaining all three options and there pluses and minuses.

    Roost22
    It does sound like a plan to sit down and have all the options and possibilities and there pluses and minuses spelled out. Good luck with your decision.
  • Dav1965
    Dav1965 Member Posts: 132
    #8
    adventurebob said:

    Agree
    Yep, 2nd and 3rd opinions are mandatory in my book. Otherwise you're trusting it all to one doc and unfortunately they do make mistakes that cost people lives. It would be great if you didn't have to do radiation though. Perhaps that will be the consensus. Let us know.
    \
    Bob

    Sweets was right
    I went to UNC Chapel Hill cancer hospital and they had everyone under one roof and they would have a cancer meeting every Friday and discuss the cases they were working on and decide the best treatment plans for each patient. This seems like the best aproach to me. Another thing i would recomend would be to make sure you are comfortable with the doctors. The doctors i have are all wonderful. I have never been rushed and they awnser all questions. The only thing thats bad is my surgeon is young but one of the best in his field. He can not look me in the eyes when i ask him hard questions. I am 45 and he is in his 30s. I am glad you found this site because it has helped me alot. I wish i found this about 7 months ago when i got sick. Better late than never. I will be praying for you. God bless. David
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #9
    D Lewis said:

    Surgeons
    There is a recurring theme here... Surgeons are NOT typically the 'go to' people to ask about radiation. They know quite a bit less about it than do the doctors who specialize in radiation treatments. Given the extent of spread of your cancer, it is on the move. I'd get a second opinion.

    Sending healing thoughts. You've been throuh so much already.

    Deb

    Hi Bob
    Sounds a little different from what we normally hear, but sometimes the doctor feels like he got all of the cancer and there is no need to do radiation or chemo. My Brother in-law had his cancer removed at MD Anderson and the doctor told him the same thing, that there was no need to do any radiation or Chemo. That was about 4 years ago and he is doing very well, he goes for another PET next month, so far he has been NED. If you feel you need, I would suggest getting another opinion or if you have an ENT ask him about it. If he agrees with the Surgeon then ask him to explain, don’t be afraid to question your doctors view on something so importance like this.

    Take care and let us know what you find out.
    Hondo

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