Squamous Cell of Neck area Has Invaded Lung

laurabeau
laurabeau Member Posts: 40
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Four years ago my husband was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Cancer to th neck muscle. A biopsy and surgery, radiation therapy and chemo regiment. A year later a bump appeared on scar line. Squamous cell was diagnosed and more surgery , radiation and chemo. Pet scan a year later revealed hot spot on left tonsil. surgery was done , but they wherevnot able to get clean margins. We were then sent to MD Anderson. pretty harsh regiment of chemo drugs plus a take home drug pack given at our home town cancer center.  in addition a load up dose of erbuitux and then 7 weeks of intense radiation to neck area in Houston. We finished up in Jan. 2013. All pets and CT clean with last one done in May. We went back for CT last week and mass showed hop on Left lung. We are in shock! Has anyone else experienced this. Desperate to hear your treatment plan and outcome.

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #2
    hope

    laurabeau,

    Your husband has been through a lot these past four years. Has the latest spot on the lung been diagnosed as cancer?  While I haven’t experienced a reoccurrence, I know a few here which have and with additional treatments they have had good results.  Hopefully, one of them will stop by and lend some advice.

    Keeping the faith,

    Matt

  • Ladylacy
    Ladylacy Member Posts: 773 Member
    #3
    Lung Spread

    My husband had laryngeal cancer, radiation, chemo, surgery.  One year later when being fitted for a TEP tumor was discovered at cervical of esophagus (which is rare I found out).  Very small, surgery not an option due to previous radiation and surgery, plus how bad the surgery would be on him.  More radiation and chemo.  4 months NED, then PET/CT showed a reoccurrence at the cervical of his esophagus, much larger this time, but also spread to his right lung.  Needle biopsy was done due to location and growth.  SCC cancer, very small but we were told it had been there on the last couple of PET/CT scans but had not grown.  Only thing offerred was chemo.  But my husband had already said if the cancer reoccurred he would not undergo any more treatment after all he had already been thru.  We were told up front that the chemo wouldn't cure only prolong and possibly hasten his time.  Now we did not check into radiation for the lung but we were told up front no more radiation in the neck area.  First round did damage to his spine, second round we worried about his cartoid artery bursting.  

    While I didn't agree with him, it was his choice and his alone.  Since February 2013 when he said no more he has been doing okay.  I see the changes in him, low energy level and he claims the pain is still about the same as it was.  I think it is worse but he doesn't like taking pain medication, again his choice.  He is 76 and was a heavy pipe smoker and beer drinker.  Something that he easily gave up -- beer 10 years ago and of course no smoking since July 2010 when he was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer.

    I do communicate with another person I met on webwhispers.  Her husband has been dealing with H&N cancer for about 6 years and spread to his lungs.  In fact he just had 3 intense radiation treatments on his lungs and so far is doing well and he is 78 but he has also told her no more treatments.  Like my husband he said he wants quality over quantity.

    Wishing you peace, comfort and the best -- Sharon

  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #4
    more hope added !

    Hello !

    First of all....take a deep breath !  Yes, I know the state of mind you must be in.  Your Husband has been through the trenches and back.  Did they think or confirm that this might be mets ? 

    We have different dx's....mine is adenoid cystic carcinoma....and known to met to the lung.  Most common area for mine.  There are tons of options.....you need to check them all out with your medical oncologist first  !  I was sent to a lung surgeon after they found a new 4 cm's spot on my lower lung.  Just popped outta no-where.  I had two options at the time because it was in the lower lung.....biopsy or removal.  Both would have pretty much been the same procedure, where my lower lung would collapse for awhile...and a drain tube in for a few days.  I opted to have the wedge re-sect done....to confirm it wasn't another primary.  Ended up being dead lung tissue.  No cancer found in it.  Depending on the size and location a needle biopsy would confirm it.

    There are many options besides surgery......cyber knife.....chemo.  This all again you must talk over with the specialists.  I cannot have another surgery on the lungs done....I only have 27% left....is it adcc, or something else.....I know if the smaller nodes grow quickly I will fight ! 

    My next option in my case will be trials....I have done what is called a tumor profile, so that they can match up any and all trials available for my specific dx.  I will pray hard for your husband that this is not a met....no cancer period !  Just know there are options out there if it is !  All my best to you and your husband.  Please keep posting....as others will pop in with more info.   Katie 

  • laurabeau
    laurabeau Member Posts: 40
    #5
    katenorwood said:

    more hope added !

    Hello !

    First of all....take a deep breath !  Yes, I know the state of mind you must be in.  Your Husband has been through the trenches and back.  Did they think or confirm that this might be mets ? 

    We have different dx's....mine is adenoid cystic carcinoma....and known to met to the lung.  Most common area for mine.  There are tons of options.....you need to check them all out with your medical oncologist first  !  I was sent to a lung surgeon after they found a new 4 cm's spot on my lower lung.  Just popped outta no-where.  I had two options at the time because it was in the lower lung.....biopsy or removal.  Both would have pretty much been the same procedure, where my lower lung would collapse for awhile...and a drain tube in for a few days.  I opted to have the wedge re-sect done....to confirm it wasn't another primary.  Ended up being dead lung tissue.  No cancer found in it.  Depending on the size and location a needle biopsy would confirm it.

    There are many options besides surgery......cyber knife.....chemo.  This all again you must talk over with the specialists.  I cannot have another surgery on the lungs done....I only have 27% left....is it adcc, or something else.....I know if the smaller nodes grow quickly I will fight ! 

    My next option in my case will be trials....I have done what is called a tumor profile, so that they can match up any and all trials available for my specific dx.  I will pray hard for your husband that this is not a met....no cancer period !  Just know there are options out there if it is !  All my best to you and your husband.  Please keep posting....as others will pop in with more info.   Katie 

    Squamous cell invaded the lung

    Thanks so much for the reassurance and kind words Katie.  My husband is 65 and recently retired.  He smoked some in his younger years, dipped tobacco for years but quit 4 yrs ago and a non drinker.  Hof has ad so much radiation that I don't feel that will be an option.  Three series of 37 in the past 4 years. The oncologist has refered us to an aggressive Thoraic surgeon we will see on Mon.  Guess until the full Pet and cat are done we can only speculate .  This has just hit me really hard and I am working on getting the emotions intact. I do hide it well though.  Husband just acting normal and ready to get the ball  rolling whatever it takes. 

    Thanks again and speedy recovery to you,

    laurabeau

     

  • laurabeau
    laurabeau Member Posts: 40
    #6
    CivilMatt said:

    hope

    laurabeau,

    Your husband has been through a lot these past four years. Has the latest spot on the lung been diagnosed as cancer?  While I haven’t experienced a reoccurrence, I know a few here which have and with additional treatments they have had good results.  Hopefully, one of them will stop by and lend some advice.

    Keeping the faith,

    Matt

    Thanks Matt, 
    Hope u never

    Thanks Matt, 

    Hope u never experience a recurrence.

     

    laurab

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #7
    laurabeau said:

    Squamous cell invaded the lung

    Thanks so much for the reassurance and kind words Katie.  My husband is 65 and recently retired.  He smoked some in his younger years, dipped tobacco for years but quit 4 yrs ago and a non drinker.  Hof has ad so much radiation that I don't feel that will be an option.  Three series of 37 in the past 4 years. The oncologist has refered us to an aggressive Thoraic surgeon we will see on Mon.  Guess until the full Pet and cat are done we can only speculate .  This has just hit me really hard and I am working on getting the emotions intact. I do hide it well though.  Husband just acting normal and ready to get the ball  rolling whatever it takes. 

    Thanks again and speedy recovery to you,

    laurabeau

     

    Attitude & Positive Thinking

    Both are huge....

    You guys will get through this...

    Prayers,

    John

  • laurabeau
    laurabeau Member Posts: 40
    #8
    Skiffin16 said:

    Attitude & Positive Thinking

    Both are huge....

    You guys will get through this...

    Prayers,

    John

    Feedback

    So appreciate all the feedback.  Thanks everyone !

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #9
    laurabeau said:

    Feedback

    So appreciate all the feedback.  Thanks everyone !

    Mets

    I am actually dealing with a spot at the base of my skull right now. Was told that is unusual, it usually goes to lungs. I just shared on another post that my brother was told his kidney cancer moved to lungs making it stage 4. Turned out he had 2 primary cancers, kidney and lung, both stage 1. Both were treated and he has been clean 3 years.

    Prayers coming your way 

  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #10
    Sorry to hear this. My

    Sorry to hear this. My husband had BOT stage 4. First 3 months PET showed lungs clear, 6months scan showed small nodule on right lung, told to wait 3 months. I was concerned but they said 3 months wouldn't make a difference. 3 omnths later CT showed numerous nodles in both lungs and a biopsy was scheduled for largest in right lung. Biopsy showed cancer but inconclusive if matastic or new cancer. The doctors "assumed" it was matastic. Jim can not receive any more chemo as it damages kidneys. Told to enjoy time left (less than a year). 6 months later moved home to Daytona Beach and saw new oncologist. Said less than year to live. One year later he wanted to do another CT since Jim was still symptom free. CT showed still numerous nodes and the largest had grown very little. Oncologist did not know why but said keep doing what you are doing. I told him it was prayer, keeping body alkaline and taking Barleymax powder. He did not respond.

    I still believe God performs miracles and I am praying for your husband to recieve one.

    Debbie

  • laurabeau
    laurabeau Member Posts: 40
    #11
    jim and i said:

    Sorry to hear this. My

    Sorry to hear this. My husband had BOT stage 4. First 3 months PET showed lungs clear, 6months scan showed small nodule on right lung, told to wait 3 months. I was concerned but they said 3 months wouldn't make a difference. 3 omnths later CT showed numerous nodles in both lungs and a biopsy was scheduled for largest in right lung. Biopsy showed cancer but inconclusive if matastic or new cancer. The doctors "assumed" it was matastic. Jim can not receive any more chemo as it damages kidneys. Told to enjoy time left (less than a year). 6 months later moved home to Daytona Beach and saw new oncologist. Said less than year to live. One year later he wanted to do another CT since Jim was still symptom free. CT showed still numerous nodes and the largest had grown very little. Oncologist did not know why but said keep doing what you are doing. I told him it was prayer, keeping body alkaline and taking Barleymax powder. He did not respond.

    I still believe God performs miracles and I am praying for your husband to recieve one.

    Debbie

    I believe in miracles

    Thanks Debbie and all the wonderful people who have given me such comforting messages. Recently I found a bible quote my son had jotted down on an index card years ago. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew6:34. I have to learn to handle the anxiety.

  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #12
    Mets to lungs

    I too had the tonsillectomy, and 34 nodes taken from my neck. I went 20 months all clear and the a spot in my lower lobe. I was set to have the lobe removed when I was sent for a PET scan that revealed it also spread the the Mediastynal nodes in my chest. I am on Pallarive care on my second trial since last September and tumors are shrinking with no new growth. If your cancer is only in the lung tissue and not in the lymphatic system, this can be cured. Either way, there are success stories out here.

    Best

    Mike

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #13
    laura, i'm so sorry for all

    laura, i'm so sorry for all your husband has been thru and still must go thru!!  sending prayers up for u both.  God bless.

    dj

  • laurabeau
    laurabeau Member Posts: 40
    #14
    luv4lacrosse said:

    Mets to lungs

    I too had the tonsillectomy, and 34 nodes taken from my neck. I went 20 months all clear and the a spot in my lower lobe. I was set to have the lobe removed when I was sent for a PET scan that revealed it also spread the the Mediastynal nodes in my chest. I am on Pallarive care on my second trial since last September and tumors are shrinking with no new growth. If your cancer is only in the lung tissue and not in the lymphatic system, this can be cured. Either way, there are success stories out here.

    Best

    Mike

    Information

    When my husband had the L. Tonsillectomy he had one node affected. That is a large amount of nodes you had removed.My husband has only been clear ( providing this Cat is correct) for 4 months and then from May to August this mass appears. I am not very knowledgeable about this but what is Palative Cure? 

    Thank you for sharing your info. Hope  you are well on your way to recovery!

    Laura

  • laurabeau
    laurabeau Member Posts: 40
    #15
    debbiejeanne said:

    laura, i'm so sorry for all

    laura, i'm so sorry for all your husband has been thru and still must go thru!!  sending prayers up for u both.  God bless.

    dj

    Thanks

    Thanks DJ. After fighting this C for 4 years , my husband is retired now and really loves  being retired. i guess this fight will be his job for a long time! God Bless you as well! 

    Laura 

     

  • nick770
    nick770 Member Posts: 195
    #16
    laurabeau said:

    Thanks

    Thanks DJ. After fighting this C for 4 years , my husband is retired now and really loves  being retired. i guess this fight will be his job for a long time! God Bless you as well! 

    Laura 

     

    i really think you guys are

    i really think you guys are going to be alright, i too had my primary tonsil cancer spread to my lungs, both i had part of my right lung removed almost one year ago and have only done 2 rounds of chemo in the last year. therre is hope and some of the mets are slow growing. Stay in the fight!! Again stay in he fight and use any/all resources to win, 

    wishing you and your husband the best of everything

  • laurabeau
    laurabeau Member Posts: 40
    #17
    nick770 said:

    i really think you guys are

    i really think you guys are going to be alright, i too had my primary tonsil cancer spread to my lungs, both i had part of my right lung removed almost one year ago and have only done 2 rounds of chemo in the last year. therre is hope and some of the mets are slow growing. Stay in the fight!! Again stay in he fight and use any/all resources to win, 

    wishing you and your husband the best of everything

    Lung invasion

    Thanks Nick! My husband had surgery last week and removed larger tumor. There appeared to be three smaller places on other side of L lung but once get hey got in there were several little ones on the pleural lining. For fear of bleeding those were not removed. we knew chemo was in the plan. My husband takes everything As a challenge . He is healing well and doing all the exercises that he is required to do. He is in great shape for a 65 year old. He has lost 100lbs and is off all meds (blood pressure, cholesterol, and prostate meds. What I  do worry about is the chemo and what it does to the body. Your  post gives me hope that he can beat this ! Thank you so much!

    Laura

  • Crazymom
    Crazymom Member Posts: 339 Member
    #18
    jim and i said:

    Sorry to hear this. My

    Sorry to hear this. My husband had BOT stage 4. First 3 months PET showed lungs clear, 6months scan showed small nodule on right lung, told to wait 3 months. I was concerned but they said 3 months wouldn't make a difference. 3 omnths later CT showed numerous nodles in both lungs and a biopsy was scheduled for largest in right lung. Biopsy showed cancer but inconclusive if matastic or new cancer. The doctors "assumed" it was matastic. Jim can not receive any more chemo as it damages kidneys. Told to enjoy time left (less than a year). 6 months later moved home to Daytona Beach and saw new oncologist. Said less than year to live. One year later he wanted to do another CT since Jim was still symptom free. CT showed still numerous nodes and the largest had grown very little. Oncologist did not know why but said keep doing what you are doing. I told him it was prayer, keeping body alkaline and taking Barleymax powder. He did not respond.

    I still believe God performs miracles and I am praying for your husband to recieve one.

    Debbie

    Barley max

    I bought the barley max about 6 months ago and have forgotten to take it.  Thanks for commenting on it and I am going to start taking it tomorrow.  Glad all is well.

     

    Ann

  • Crazymom
    Crazymom Member Posts: 339 Member
    #19
    luv4lacrosse said:

    Mets to lungs

    I too had the tonsillectomy, and 34 nodes taken from my neck. I went 20 months all clear and the a spot in my lower lobe. I was set to have the lobe removed when I was sent for a PET scan that revealed it also spread the the Mediastynal nodes in my chest. I am on Pallarive care on my second trial since last September and tumors are shrinking with no new growth. If your cancer is only in the lung tissue and not in the lymphatic system, this can be cured. Either way, there are success stories out here.

    Best

    Mike

    progress

    glad things are going well!  Ann

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