Husband newly diagnosed

So sorry to hear you are here, but welcome! This is a wonderful site filled with people who have and are experiencing what you are.  My husband was diagnosed 7 years ago with stage 4 cancer of the piriform sinus with 2 lymph nodes affected as well.  He did not have surgery but did have extensive chemotherapy and radiation.  7 years later, no cancer, minimal side effects and life is good.  When I/we were where you are now, I couldn't imagine life now.  I, too, felt there was no hope.  I don't know where you live or where you are seeking treatment, but I highly recommend a second opinion.  A teaching hospital with a tumor board, I feel, offers the best care and results.  We live in Michigan and got a second opinion at UofM and  a 3rd opinion at UofC and choose treatment at UofC.  Hang in there, I know these days of uncertainty are hard.  You are not alone.  There are many here who can support, offer advice and be there for you.

I was diagnosed in March of 2012 with stage IV-a base of tongue cancer.  The primary tumor was on the left base of my tongue and measured 30mm, the largest of the sentinel nodes measured 60 mm and it had extended into the left wall of my throat.  Like your husband they said that surgery was not an option but did start me on a three phase treatment program

Phase 1 was induction chemo, scheduled as three sessions, each session to be 5 days as an inpatient on continuous high dose chemo and then two weeks to recover.  Very challenging experience, if your husband's team opts for this, make sure that he drinks a lot of fluids while receiving chemo. I didn't and it impacted my kidney function such that they couldn't/wouldn't do the next two sessions. though that first session did radically shrink the lymph nodes!

Phase 2 was concurrent chemo and radiation, 8 weekly doses of a different medication and daily radiation treatments.  Not hard to do, no real side effects from the chemo but a killer sore throat!

Phase 3 was surgery, a selective neck dissection to remove any remaining issues.  Some "weak, inactive disease" was found in the lymph nodes that were removed.

Here I am, 7 years later (my last radiation treatament was July 5) and I am clear.  there are some long term side effects to deal with as a consequence of the treeatments, and while they're challenging, I'm still here, I get to enjoy the Florida sunshine, be with m family and lose golf balls on the golf course.

a diagnosis of cancer in a spouse is probably one of the scariest things you can get, I often thought that my diagnosis, treatment and recovery was harder on my wife than it was on me.

Holding good thoughts for you and your husband!

yensid683 said:

Yes, there is always hope..

I was diagnosed in March of 2012 with stage IV-a base of tongue cancer.  The primary tumor was on the left base of my tongue and measured 30mm, the largest of the sentinel nodes measured 60 mm and it had extended into the left wall of my throat.  Like your husband they said that surgery was not an option but did start me on a three phase treatment program

Phase 1 was induction chemo, scheduled as three sessions, each session to be 5 days as an inpatient on continuous high dose chemo and then two weeks to recover.  Very challenging experience, if your husband's team opts for this, make sure that he drinks a lot of fluids while receiving chemo. I didn't and it impacted my kidney function such that they couldn't/wouldn't do the next two sessions. though that first session did radically shrink the lymph nodes!

Phase 2 was concurrent chemo and radiation, 8 weekly doses of a different medication and daily radiation treatments.  Not hard to do, no real side effects from the chemo but a killer sore throat!

Phase 3 was surgery, a selective neck dissection to remove any remaining issues.  Some "weak, inactive disease" was found in the lymph nodes that were removed.

Here I am, 7 years later (my last radiation treatament was July 5) and I am clear.  there are some long term side effects to deal with as a consequence of the treeatments, and while they're challenging, I'm still here, I get to enjoy the Florida sunshine, be with m family and lose golf balls on the golf course.

a diagnosis of cancer in a spouse is probably one of the scariest things you can get, I often thought that my diagnosis, treatment and recovery was harder on my wife than it was on me.

Holding good thoughts for you and your husband!

wow, i thought i was reading about myself. i am recently diagnosed with head and neck, was told last week it was terminal. i want to get a second opinion. is that done by the doc i have now or do i do all the research and find out on my own. 

i was giving a few months survival up to a year ( one year if treatement)

there are so many other options and it is a little daunting, i am just trying to weed thru it all

wbcgaruss said:

Definitely Second Opinion ryeates1

These days there are many options for cancer treatment. You definitely should at least get a second opinion to see if they agree or are different. I don't know if you are close to one but quite a few folks on here have said go to a teaching hospital if you can. God Bless

Definately agree with Russ on the second opinion ryeates1. If possible seek out an NCI accredited treatment center or teaching hospitals. These will maybe give you more options. NGU

If treatment of radiation and chemo is recommended ask if you can get first Half radiation followed by second half Proton. Proton is much less painful and has least over shoot into normal healthy tissues. I did my treatment this way and had much less problems eating/drinking afterward them most. Also recommend to check the vitamin D3 level on blood testing. You want to get it up to 70-90 ( normal range is 30-90) to help the immune system kill cancer cells.