Cat scan tomorrow-Base of tongue cancer

Sue22
Sue22 Member Posts: 99
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hello everyone. Gee it is hard. Tomorrow is the CAT scan to find out if my partner's cancer has spread or not. It is scary but we have to remain strong I know. She was diagnosed with base of tongue cancer on the 21st of October. They removed the tumor a couple of weeks before that and the results came back that it is cancerous. Her tumor was about 2 or 2.5 centimeters. The doctor said it wasn't deep but she has to be operated on again to have more removed.

I find this hard to deal with...imagine her? Of course I don't tell her that I find it hard and I show positiveness all the time. It is so unfair in a way.

How long does it take for a tumor like this to grow? Before you know you have one? Anybody has knowledge of the process of the growth?

Thank you for listening. Sue

Comments

  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #2
    Hi Sue
    Yes it is hard. Hard on you. Hard on your partner. Unfortunately, that's just part of the whole mess.

    It always seems that these cancers pop up out of nowhere. They don't, but it sure seems that way. The problem is that most of them don't show changes in the surface appearance of the lining tissues until they have been there quite awhile. Only about 10% of the time is there a white patch, or some other obvious early sign. It would be nice if it were different.

    That's why oftentimes these cancers aren't caught in the earliest of stages. I had two differnet cancers "pop up" literally within a month of having a negative exam by a highly qualified ENT oncologist- a man I have seen for years that I trust is truly an expert in his field. What else can I say? I, too, wish my own diagnosis had come earlier, but this just doesn't happen oftentimes.

    Wishing you the best.
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #3
    longtermsurvivor said:

    Hi Sue
    Yes it is hard. Hard on you. Hard on your partner. Unfortunately, that's just part of the whole mess.

    It always seems that these cancers pop up out of nowhere. They don't, but it sure seems that way. The problem is that most of them don't show changes in the surface appearance of the lining tissues until they have been there quite awhile. Only about 10% of the time is there a white patch, or some other obvious early sign. It would be nice if it were different.

    That's why oftentimes these cancers aren't caught in the earliest of stages. I had two differnet cancers "pop up" literally within a month of having a negative exam by a highly qualified ENT oncologist- a man I have seen for years that I trust is truly an expert in his field. What else can I say? I, too, wish my own diagnosis had come earlier, but this just doesn't happen oftentimes.

    Wishing you the best.

    what I've read
    In this book:

    "What You really Need to Know about Cancer(A comprehensive guide for patients and Their families)" Dr. Robert Buckman, in collaboration with M.D. Anderson,1997.

    pretty old source so maybe it's changed some, but it's probably close: Condensed from page 12: Size and Growth,


    "The average human cell is about one twentieth the width of a human hair. A million cells is about the size of a pinhead. Cancer cells roughly reproduce themselves every 2-6 weeks. As an example use a single cell that divides every four weeks starting on January 1 and reproduces every month, having two cells on February 1st and four by March and 8 in April. You will have 4000 at 12 months and one million by twenty months. Remember that one million is the size of a pinhead. You could start to feel a lump at about a billion cells which is grape size. That would be July 2 1/2 years later. Doubling now becomes noticeable. By May of the fourth year the tumor mass is at one kilogram or 2 1/4 pounds.
    2-3 kilos is lethal. This action takes 42 doublings. 30 of those are undetectable. It becomes detectable 3/4 of the way to lethal."

    thats a rough guide
  • NJR
    NJR Member Posts: 82
    #4
    Well
    First off you have to realize that there are about a dozen different cancers that fall into the Head and Neck Cancer category, most having as many of their own idiosyncrasies as they do in common. I have read studies, white papers and opinions putting the range of going undetected until advanced stages at everywhere between 50 & 75%. What they all do have in common is that they are capable of laying virtually dormant for years only to explode with rapid growth all once. In my case the primary tumor was never detected until long after I was diagnosed and had spread to my lymph system. It was the secondary tumors that caused all my pain and symptoms. The largest and only visible one I had did not show itself until after I had what was thought to be an abscessed tooth pulled. When the swelling went down a small knot the size of a pea remained (and so did the toothache) It remained that size for the next few weeks and then suddenly over a 10 day period grew to the size of a lime, so I guess the best way to look at it is, Cancer does whatever it wants too, whenever it wants to do it. I don't believe that how it acts in one person is authoritatively the same as it might be for the next person. I have come to think of it as an alien being, invading my body with a mind and objective all it's own.

    Best luck to the both of you and please be aware that my experience and observations are not scientific fact, just my perceptions. Mileage may vary!
  • Sue22
    Sue22 Member Posts: 99
    #5
    longtermsurvivor said:

    Hi Sue
    Yes it is hard. Hard on you. Hard on your partner. Unfortunately, that's just part of the whole mess.

    It always seems that these cancers pop up out of nowhere. They don't, but it sure seems that way. The problem is that most of them don't show changes in the surface appearance of the lining tissues until they have been there quite awhile. Only about 10% of the time is there a white patch, or some other obvious early sign. It would be nice if it were different.

    That's why oftentimes these cancers aren't caught in the earliest of stages. I had two differnet cancers "pop up" literally within a month of having a negative exam by a highly qualified ENT oncologist- a man I have seen for years that I trust is truly an expert in his field. What else can I say? I, too, wish my own diagnosis had come earlier, but this just doesn't happen oftentimes.

    Wishing you the best.

    Thank you for your input
    Thank you for your input LongTerm survivor. Your nickname gives me hope :)
  • Sue22
    Sue22 Member Posts: 99
    #6
    ratface said:

    what I've read
    In this book:

    "What You really Need to Know about Cancer(A comprehensive guide for patients and Their families)" Dr. Robert Buckman, in collaboration with M.D. Anderson,1997.

    pretty old source so maybe it's changed some, but it's probably close: Condensed from page 12: Size and Growth,


    "The average human cell is about one twentieth the width of a human hair. A million cells is about the size of a pinhead. Cancer cells roughly reproduce themselves every 2-6 weeks. As an example use a single cell that divides every four weeks starting on January 1 and reproduces every month, having two cells on February 1st and four by March and 8 in April. You will have 4000 at 12 months and one million by twenty months. Remember that one million is the size of a pinhead. You could start to feel a lump at about a billion cells which is grape size. That would be July 2 1/2 years later. Doubling now becomes noticeable. By May of the fourth year the tumor mass is at one kilogram or 2 1/4 pounds.
    2-3 kilos is lethal. This action takes 42 doublings. 30 of those are undetectable. It becomes detectable 3/4 of the way to lethal."

    thats a rough guide

    RatFace
    Hi Ratface. I love dr. Buckman. Did you know he died not too long ago. It is sad. Heart attack I think. I will look for his book. I already have one of his on different subject.

    Tks for explaining.....I will have to read it again. Sue
  • Sue22
    Sue22 Member Posts: 99
    #7
    NJR said:

    Well
    First off you have to realize that there are about a dozen different cancers that fall into the Head and Neck Cancer category, most having as many of their own idiosyncrasies as they do in common. I have read studies, white papers and opinions putting the range of going undetected until advanced stages at everywhere between 50 & 75%. What they all do have in common is that they are capable of laying virtually dormant for years only to explode with rapid growth all once. In my case the primary tumor was never detected until long after I was diagnosed and had spread to my lymph system. It was the secondary tumors that caused all my pain and symptoms. The largest and only visible one I had did not show itself until after I had what was thought to be an abscessed tooth pulled. When the swelling went down a small knot the size of a pea remained (and so did the toothache) It remained that size for the next few weeks and then suddenly over a 10 day period grew to the size of a lime, so I guess the best way to look at it is, Cancer does whatever it wants too, whenever it wants to do it. I don't believe that how it acts in one person is authoritatively the same as it might be for the next person. I have come to think of it as an alien being, invading my body with a mind and objective all it's own.

    Best luck to the both of you and please be aware that my experience and observations are not scientific fact, just my perceptions. Mileage may vary!

    Tks for sharing your story
    Tks for sharing your story NJR. I am learning from everyone. How long have you had cancer? How are you doing now? Sue
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #8
    Sue22 said:

    Tks for sharing your story
    Tks for sharing your story NJR. I am learning from everyone. How long have you had cancer? How are you doing now? Sue

    Forgot to welcome you
    To the forum and am sorry you had to find your way here. Sorry for your partner's diagnosis and your suffering as well. Keep posting if you can!
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #9
    Hi Sue
    Welcome to CSN Head & Neck site.

    You are right it is hard to wait and see and your mind will always be things the worse but just hang in there. I hope it is OK with you if I offer a prayer up for both of you and no matter what the outcome of the scan good or bad, just be there for her.

    Take care and keep positive
    Hondo
  • wifeforlife
    wifeforlife Member Posts: 189
    #10
    Hondo said:

    Hi Sue
    Welcome to CSN Head & Neck site.

    You are right it is hard to wait and see and your mind will always be things the worse but just hang in there. I hope it is OK with you if I offer a prayer up for both of you and no matter what the outcome of the scan good or bad, just be there for her.

    Take care and keep positive
    Hondo

    Sue...
    I always hesitate to say "welcome"... but before this journey of yours is over you are going to be very thankful you have found this site!... I'm sorry that you find yourself on this path, but you are not alone. You both have a long,difficult road ahead of you..but it is doable and there are MANY here to prove that!.. My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 base of tounge cancer on Nov 6th, 2009. we just had one more clean ct!!! NED IN THE HOUSE (ned : no evidence of disease)
    my advice to you is to listen to the dr.s for your partner because she can't remember everything, be there, listen, comfort, advicate. VERY IMPORTANT! and what ever question you have come here and ask...
    bless you,
    wife
  • NJR
    NJR Member Posts: 82
    #11
    Sue22 said:

    Tks for sharing your story
    Tks for sharing your story NJR. I am learning from everyone. How long have you had cancer? How are you doing now? Sue

    story
    I was diagnosed (accurately) in April of this year but it was already well advanced to the point that I was informed that surgery was not an option and the goal for my treatment was more geared to palliative as there were major structures already involved. (cranial nerves) The results of the chemoradiation though were better than expected so I am one of those few that find themselves as having survived hospice and lived to leave. That alone was never expected so since I am still around and the pain is now manageable 90% of the time, every day is a bonus day. For that, I feel good.
    Best wishes to you both.
    Nick
  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #12
    I understand
    My husband Jim was diagnosed with stage 4 base of tongue the first of May after being treated for neuralgia for three years. I will tell you taht it is hard on the caretaker but survivable for you both. The best thing you can do is to go with your partner at each appointment and keep a notebook. There were many times tyhe doctor would ask a question and I would look back in my notes for the answer. I also wrote down questions to ask on our weekly visits to the doctor. Early on Jim would say, ask my wife to questions the nurse and doctor would ask. He finally said he was going to wear a sign that said, "I don't know, ask my wife." :) There were times he would say things like, "No I haven't has pain this week." and I would have to say yes, remember you said in the way in that you were in pain. It also helps now to look back and see how far we have come and to keep track of his conditrion during recovery for follow ups. The other thing I would not be without is this site. I do not think I would have been able to get through this with out the info, support and prayers of these wonderful people.

    I am here for you if you need to talk. Just friend me and I will send my phone number to you.

    Peace and Blessings to you and your partner.

    Debbie
  • Sue22
    Sue22 Member Posts: 99
    #13
    jim and i said:

    I understand
    My husband Jim was diagnosed with stage 4 base of tongue the first of May after being treated for neuralgia for three years. I will tell you taht it is hard on the caretaker but survivable for you both. The best thing you can do is to go with your partner at each appointment and keep a notebook. There were many times tyhe doctor would ask a question and I would look back in my notes for the answer. I also wrote down questions to ask on our weekly visits to the doctor. Early on Jim would say, ask my wife to questions the nurse and doctor would ask. He finally said he was going to wear a sign that said, "I don't know, ask my wife." :) There were times he would say things like, "No I haven't has pain this week." and I would have to say yes, remember you said in the way in that you were in pain. It also helps now to look back and see how far we have come and to keep track of his conditrion during recovery for follow ups. The other thing I would not be without is this site. I do not think I would have been able to get through this with out the info, support and prayers of these wonderful people.

    I am here for you if you need to talk. Just friend me and I will send my phone number to you.

    Peace and Blessings to you and your partner.

    Debbie

    Thank you...
    All you guys are so nice and helpful. Wow. I am overwhelmed !!! I think I found new friends :) I knew Americans were nice people.

    Yesterday we went for the scan. Now it is a 2 wks wait they said. Unless it is urgent, it will take about 2 wks....so I hope for 2 weeks hey. Like someone said ''live one day at a time''. Cross our fingers.

    I do have more questions so I will come back later on during the weekend.

    Have a nice weekend. Sue
  • Sue22
    Sue22 Member Posts: 99
    #14
    jim and i said:

    I understand
    My husband Jim was diagnosed with stage 4 base of tongue the first of May after being treated for neuralgia for three years. I will tell you taht it is hard on the caretaker but survivable for you both. The best thing you can do is to go with your partner at each appointment and keep a notebook. There were many times tyhe doctor would ask a question and I would look back in my notes for the answer. I also wrote down questions to ask on our weekly visits to the doctor. Early on Jim would say, ask my wife to questions the nurse and doctor would ask. He finally said he was going to wear a sign that said, "I don't know, ask my wife." :) There were times he would say things like, "No I haven't has pain this week." and I would have to say yes, remember you said in the way in that you were in pain. It also helps now to look back and see how far we have come and to keep track of his conditrion during recovery for follow ups. The other thing I would not be without is this site. I do not think I would have been able to get through this with out the info, support and prayers of these wonderful people.

    I am here for you if you need to talk. Just friend me and I will send my phone number to you.

    Peace and Blessings to you and your partner.

    Debbie

    Added
    I Debbie. That is so nice of you. I just added you as a friend. I don't have lots of time but I will be back. Take care. Sue
  • Mikemetz
    Mikemetz Member Posts: 465 Member
    #15
    Sue22 said:

    Thank you...
    All you guys are so nice and helpful. Wow. I am overwhelmed !!! I think I found new friends :) I knew Americans were nice people.

    Yesterday we went for the scan. Now it is a 2 wks wait they said. Unless it is urgent, it will take about 2 wks....so I hope for 2 weeks hey. Like someone said ''live one day at a time''. Cross our fingers.

    I do have more questions so I will come back later on during the weekend.

    Have a nice weekend. Sue

    Deja Vu for me
    Sue,
    I was diagnosed with base of tongue cancer early in 2009, but just found this site a few days ago. I have been amazed at the stories I've read and the support people are giving to each other. Even while I had the best doctors, and incredible support from my wife, family, friends, and even strangers--I wish I had found this site then to be in touch with others going through the same thing. It was spooky to read so many stories that could easily have been my own with nothing more than a name change. As you and your partner move through this, find and use every resource you can to help with your fight against cancer. CSN is one of the best.

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