Cancer Survivor X 2

lumen_4231121
lumen_4231121 Member Posts: 13
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I was diagnosed with Stage II colon cancer Jan. 2013. Had surgery and my sigmoid colon was removed. Never had chemo afterwards because all the 24 lymph nodes taken during surgery tested negative for cancer. November the same year (2013), I was diagnosed with Stage III follicular thyroid cancer. Had thyroidectomy and high dose RAI . 2 years after my 2 cancer diagnoses, I've been cancer-free. Thanks and praise the good Lord! However, I am scheduled for surgery next month because when I went for ultrasound for my thyroid in December last year, a tumor in my parotid gland was noted. Had biopsy done and result was benign. My primary doctor thinks it's another cancer. He says that the initial biopsy is benign but there is always a possibility that it is cancer when the whole tumor is taken out and biopsied. I am really scared that I might be facing a 3rd strike with the big "C"...

Anybody out there who's gone through 2 or 3 types of  cancer that are not even related, I need some feedback. Any advice or encouragement will be highly appreciated. Thanks and God bless us all!

Comments

  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #2
    Benign?

    As so many here have already said - it ain't cancer till someone tells you it's cancer.  I've heard that parotid tumors are not unexpected after one has been through previous cancer treatment.  So happy your doctor is being careful in removing the entire tumor, but I suggest that your primary doctor may be less qualified than a specialist in determining the presence of cancer.  Breathe and wait for the result. Be well.

    Deb

     

  • Slimsally
    Slimsally Member Posts: 7
    #3
    2nd cancer

     Hi I had breat cancer 2008 full treated. Diagnosed with paritod cancer 2014 not related.

     

  • lumen_4231121
    lumen_4231121 Member Posts: 13
    #4
    D Lewis said:

    Benign?

    As so many here have already said - it ain't cancer till someone tells you it's cancer.  I've heard that parotid tumors are not unexpected after one has been through previous cancer treatment.  So happy your doctor is being careful in removing the entire tumor, but I suggest that your primary doctor may be less qualified than a specialist in determining the presence of cancer.  Breathe and wait for the result. Be well.

    Deb

     

    Thanks. I do hope and pray

    Thanks. I do hope and pray the surgery will go safe and the tumor is not cancerous.

     

  • lumen_4231121
    lumen_4231121 Member Posts: 13
    #5
    Slimsally said:

    2nd cancer

     Hi I had breat cancer 2008 full treated. Diagnosed with paritod cancer 2014 not related.

     

    We've got something in

    We've got something in common. Better for you, you had 6 years reprieve. In my case, I had my 2nd the same year.

  • denistd
    denistd Member Posts: 597
    #6
    lumen_4231121 said:

    We've got something in

    We've got something in common. Better for you, you had 6 years reprieve. In my case, I had my 2nd the same year.

    Multiple cancers

    In 2009 I was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer stage 3, had chemo and radiation for that and to this date no recurrence. 2012 in the hospital for a scan of my heart and the radiologist saw a small 4mm nodule in my lung, ws told to wait 6 months and then have it checked again, did not wait, had a pulmonary oncologist look at it where I had my throat treatment, he did a vats procedure and it was real early lung cancer, no treatment was needed just check ups. In 2013 had a full body going over by a dermatogist and found one SCC skin cancer, he removed it a couple of weeks later, while he did that he notices a a very small one on my back, SCC again. For the last 20 years I have had an enlarged prostate, PSA has always been around 5, the Urologist felt we should look at it as my dad died of prostate cancer and my brother had it a few years ago. biopsy done and again it showed early stage, this was in 2013, no treatment just have a biopsy every 18 months and psa regularly. Went back to the dermatologist and he wanted to check out a small brown mark on my arm. Turned out to be stage 0 melanoma, all of it was removed by the biopsy, it had not gotten under the skin so all was well. That is 6 different cancers in 6 years. Laryngeal was the only one staged more than 1.

     

  • lumen_4231121
    lumen_4231121 Member Posts: 13
    #7
    denistd said:

    Multiple cancers

    In 2009 I was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer stage 3, had chemo and radiation for that and to this date no recurrence. 2012 in the hospital for a scan of my heart and the radiologist saw a small 4mm nodule in my lung, ws told to wait 6 months and then have it checked again, did not wait, had a pulmonary oncologist look at it where I had my throat treatment, he did a vats procedure and it was real early lung cancer, no treatment was needed just check ups. In 2013 had a full body going over by a dermatogist and found one SCC skin cancer, he removed it a couple of weeks later, while he did that he notices a a very small one on my back, SCC again. For the last 20 years I have had an enlarged prostate, PSA has always been around 5, the Urologist felt we should look at it as my dad died of prostate cancer and my brother had it a few years ago. biopsy done and again it showed early stage, this was in 2013, no treatment just have a biopsy every 18 months and psa regularly. Went back to the dermatologist and he wanted to check out a small brown mark on my arm. Turned out to be stage 0 melanoma, all of it was removed by the biopsy, it had not gotten under the skin so all was well. That is 6 different cancers in 6 years. Laryngeal was the only one staged more than 1.

     

    Hi, denistd! Thanks. In a way

    Hi, denistd! Thanks. In a way it helps me feel better to know I'm not the only one.... it gives me a positive feeling as I look forward to my parotid surgery on March 2. Take care.

  • jackflash22
    jackflash22 Member Posts: 524 Member
    #8
    lumen_4231121 said:

    Hi, denistd! Thanks. In a way

    Hi, denistd! Thanks. In a way it helps me feel better to know I'm not the only one.... it gives me a positive feeling as I look forward to my parotid surgery on March 2. Take care.

    I had cancer of the uterus

    I had cancer of the uterus about 25 yrs ago and BoT cancer  2013. The womb and overies were removed, not spread, no further treatment.

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #9
    i had cervical cancer in

    i had cervical cancer in 1982.  total hysto and nothing more.  2009 larynx cancer.  35 rad tx.  2012, recurrence and had total laryngectomy.  2/28/15 makes me 3 yrs cancer free.  I'm praying for your surgery to go well and for you to be cancer free.

    God bless you,

    dj

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #10
    debbiejeanne said:

    i had cervical cancer in

    i had cervical cancer in 1982.  total hysto and nothing more.  2009 larynx cancer.  35 rad tx.  2012, recurrence and had total laryngectomy.  2/28/15 makes me 3 yrs cancer free.  I'm praying for your surgery to go well and for you to be cancer free.

    God bless you,

    dj

    benign

    I had a benign Warthins tumor and parotidectomy in 2009. I believe the majority of those are benign. I had no long term complications. 

    I had cancer of mandible on opposite side in 2012 and two recurrances of same SCC.

    My brother had two totally independent cancers at same time, kidney and lung, first thought to be mets but determined to be two primaries both stage one. 

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