Diagnoses

Hi Jackie,

Sort of funny you are all done then you finally get the specific diagnosis. Not going to make a crack about UK health system. LOL

The TNM rating is described here: http://beatdown.cognacom.com/content/cancer-staging I thnk you joined. If not, do and you can read the details. It is available elsewhere, this is a version in my own words.

Basically the T1 is tumor size -one being the smallest on the scale (good thing)

N2b Metastasis in multiplelymph nodes, none more than 6 cm in greatest dimension.

There is a M value but not given, assumed to mean no distant mets.

right tongue base = BOT (base of tongue)

squamous cell carcinoma - SCC - basically type of cancer most common in oral cancer

hypopharyngeal/cricopharyngeal narrowing post radiotherapy - This describes the current issue you have with swallowing being restricted. Hypopharyngeal is a location below the oral cavity, more the "throat" area. I don't recollect you mentioning the location of the restriction but this indicates it is below the back of your mouth and lower. If so it seems a bit unusual rad damage would occur that far lower than BOT but I have zero formal education or experience.

It's ood to be diagnosed with that condition. I guess, you need to have a second opinion.

Hondo said:

Hi Jacky

Every time you do any scan or MRI or PET always asks for a copy. I have mine on **** and can look at them in 3D on my computer. Don already gave you the interpretation most of it you can find on the internet. What we need to look out for is long term effects, stuff that will happen 10 or 15 years later in life.

I went to see my ENT last week and she found a hole in the upper palate that was not there 3 months ago. My last rad was in 2005 so I am 9 years from it but it was my 2^nd treatment of rad to the same area and she is starting to see damage for it. Will need to wait and see what happens in the long term, so see her again for another 2 ½ months.

 

Take care

Tim Hondo

I went to see my ENT last week and she found a hole in the upper palate that was not there 3 months ago. My last rad was in 2005 so I am 9 years from it but it was my 2^nd treatment of rad to the same area and she is starting to see damage for it. Will need to wait and see what happens in the long term, so see her again for another 2 ½ months.

Thanks for the report, Tim. Nearly TEN years before experiencing a rad related side effect redefines my definition of "lomg term". Until now, my current thought was a cancer treatment related side effect would show symptoms by the five year mark and that was ORN.

I'm off the see my MO at the one year post milestone; I'll have to ask about what he has seen as delayed side effect symtpoms. Make us all rethink our membership in the cancer survivors club.

Thanks don

donfoo said:

Defining "long term"

I went to see my ENT last week and she found a hole in the upper palate that was not there 3 months ago. My last rad was in 2005 so I am 9 years from it but it was my 2^nd treatment of rad to the same area and she is starting to see damage for it. Will need to wait and see what happens in the long term, so see her again for another 2 ½ months.

Thanks for the report, Tim. Nearly TEN years before experiencing a rad related side effect redefines my definition of "lomg term". Until now, my current thought was a cancer treatment related side effect would show symptoms by the five year mark and that was ORN.

I'm off the see my MO at the one year post milestone; I'll have to ask about what he has seen as delayed side effect symtpoms. Make us all rethink our membership in the cancer survivors club.

Thanks don

Just remember I been treated twice with radiation so with me everything will happen sooner than for someone who has only been treated once. First treatment was 180rad a day for 35 treatments; second treatment was 110rad twice a day for 35 days. I should be able to light up a small fluorescent light bulb with all that power.

Thanks

Tim Hondo