squamous cell:does anyone know how aggresive this cancer is?

sams@ntcallaway.com
sams@ntcallaway.com Member Posts: 9
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I really want to know if this type of cancer is fast or slow growing and I cannot seem to find the answer.I would appreciate any input!


Susanne

Comments

  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #2
    SCC
    Suzanne, I do not know why you ask here, rather than asking your doctors, or you loved one's doctors, but I will try to answer your question from personal experience.

    It is my understanding that among the cancers you might have, squamous cell is not as pernicious as some others. I am a survivor of squamous cell cancer, in both the tongue and neck, and in the lung.

    When they discovered that the cancer in my lung was isolated and squamous, they removed it, rather than assuming I was biting the bullet.

    Squamous cell cancer is NOT as aggressive, typically, as some others. It is treatable, and it can be beaten.

    However, I will advise that there are no friendly cancers.

    Take the advice of your doctors, and if you do not trust them, find new ones.

    When you find ones that you trust, take their advice.

    Take care and best wishes,

    Joe
  • sams@ntcallaway.com
    sams@ntcallaway.com Member Posts: 9
    #3
    soccerfreaks said:

    SCC
    Suzanne, I do not know why you ask here, rather than asking your doctors, or you loved one's doctors, but I will try to answer your question from personal experience.

    It is my understanding that among the cancers you might have, squamous cell is not as pernicious as some others. I am a survivor of squamous cell cancer, in both the tongue and neck, and in the lung.

    When they discovered that the cancer in my lung was isolated and squamous, they removed it, rather than assuming I was biting the bullet.

    Squamous cell cancer is NOT as aggressive, typically, as some others. It is treatable, and it can be beaten.

    However, I will advise that there are no friendly cancers.

    Take the advice of your doctors, and if you do not trust them, find new ones.

    When you find ones that you trust, take their advice.

    Take care and best wishes,

    Joe

    Joe
    Thank you for your
    Joe
    Thank you for your comments.I have tried so many time to ask the doctors this very same question and "NOBODY" will answer.This is for my husband, Robert who was diagnosed with nazopharyngeal cancer, stage 4.My gut tells me it's slow growing but I would like to confirm that somewhere.

    Susanne
  • jejrdn
    jejrdn Member Posts: 28
    #4
    sams@ntcallaway.com said:

    Joe
    Thank you for your
    Joe
    Thank you for your comments.I have tried so many time to ask the doctors this very same question and "NOBODY" will answer.This is for my husband, Robert who was diagnosed with nazopharyngeal cancer, stage 4.My gut tells me it's slow growing but I would like to confirm that somewhere.

    Susanne

    Help suggestion
    Hi Susanne,

    Have you tried to contact people at the local chapter of the American Cancer Society in your area? They have people that you can talk to about your concerns and should be able to help you get the information you are looking for. I have called them a few times and have gotten great information within a day or two. Sometimes they have to research the information you are looking for. I feel bad that your husband is going through this and that you kind of seem like you are not being heard. Unfortunately I am finding out as I go through this that I am my own best advocate. I am turning into quite the sleuth. I hope this helps and that it all goes well and that you can get what you are looking for. Good luck.

    Brian
  • sams@ntcallaway.com
    sams@ntcallaway.com Member Posts: 9
    #5
    jejrdn said:

    Help suggestion
    Hi Susanne,

    Have you tried to contact people at the local chapter of the American Cancer Society in your area? They have people that you can talk to about your concerns and should be able to help you get the information you are looking for. I have called them a few times and have gotten great information within a day or two. Sometimes they have to research the information you are looking for. I feel bad that your husband is going through this and that you kind of seem like you are not being heard. Unfortunately I am finding out as I go through this that I am my own best advocate. I am turning into quite the sleuth. I hope this helps and that it all goes well and that you can get what you are looking for. Good luck.

    Brian

    Thank you Brian! That is a
    Thank you Brian! That is a great idea and I am going to contact them right away.I have found the same thing about being your own best advocate.I have spent a lot of time researching his type of cancer and have even offerred some insight to his doctors.

    Susanne
  • hunpot
    hunpot Member Posts: 90 Member
    #6
    individual
    i thinkin my opinion it really depends on how the individual reacts to treatments and such, what can or cant be done becaue of their age, weight, health condition etcc. Some hear have had great outocomes and are still surviving others like myslef had not had much luck. My mom had stage 4 squamous cell of the neck, throat, she went through evrything imaginable and unfortaunatley lost her battle, she was a very for the most part a healthy woman before her diagnosis. She didnt do well with treatments radiation/erbitux didnt work so they did surgery and 4 months later cancer came back same spot nothing more they could do. So do try and contact ACS and they can look up the percentage for you i know i had called to find that same answer wen they told us as a new stage 4 was an end stage in any cancer if im correct they told me her survival rate was 5yrs. well she made it 18 months. So just remember it depends on each individual and where the cancer exactly is and how it responds to treatments and how they approach it. Keep up the faith and just keep fighting-- My thoughts will be with you and husband during this time.
  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    #7
    How aggresive is it?
    Well my Squamous turned to Stage 4 within 3 months of first having issues, so I think it all depends on the person, the tumor, health of the patient, etc. I don't think there is a simple answer to the question.
  • sams@ntcallaway.com
    sams@ntcallaway.com Member Posts: 9
    #8
    SASH said:

    How aggresive is it?
    Well my Squamous turned to Stage 4 within 3 months of first having issues, so I think it all depends on the person, the tumor, health of the patient, etc. I don't think there is a simple answer to the question.

    So sorry to hear that.Was it
    So sorry to hear that.Was it also nasopharyngeal?And does that even matter, I wonder.
    I ask these questions because Robert went to an ENT for 2 years and the doc just missed it, I think.And I am trying to resolve that issue in my own mind.My husband never, ever had any health issues and then with the sinus infection and so forth nothing was done until it got sooo bad.Anyone else have that?
  • 3_Putt
    3_Putt Member Posts: 18
    #9
    sams@ntcallaway.com said:

    So sorry to hear that.Was it
    So sorry to hear that.Was it also nasopharyngeal?And does that even matter, I wonder.
    I ask these questions because Robert went to an ENT for 2 years and the doc just missed it, I think.And I am trying to resolve that issue in my own mind.My husband never, ever had any health issues and then with the sinus infection and so forth nothing was done until it got sooo bad.Anyone else have that?

    For what it's worth, my
    For what it's worth, my primary wasn't visible. It took a PET scan to find it. I don't think that's too uncommon. I felt great and the only thing that hinted of cancer was this lump that was growing on the side of my neck.
  • droguitar
    droguitar Member Posts: 2
    #10
    3_Putt said:

    For what it's worth, my
    For what it's worth, my primary wasn't visible. It took a PET scan to find it. I don't think that's too uncommon. I felt great and the only thing that hinted of cancer was this lump that was growing on the side of my neck.

    Neck lump
    I'm new to this site, so be gentle.....
    I'm happy to say that I'm approaching 5 years cancer free after diagnosis resulting from a lump that showed up on the right side of my neck. It was determined that this tumor was secondary and they began looking for the primary. Couldn't find it until my ENT doctor went on a hunch that it liked to "hide" in the tonsils. Sure enough, there it was. Only a few cells, the secondary much larger, but a tonsilectomy took care of that.
    Now, unfortunately, it's the aftermath; socially, financialy, physically, and psychologically that has a real grip on my ability to cope with it all. Even after 5 years. I'm in therapy and will continue to be until I can sort it all out. Anyone experience a near total breakdown years after the fact?
  • jenniferbos
    jenniferbos Member Posts: 1
    #11
    sams@ntcallaway.com said:

    Joe
    Thank you for your
    Joe
    Thank you for your comments.I have tried so many time to ask the doctors this very same question and "NOBODY" will answer.This is for my husband, Robert who was diagnosed with nazopharyngeal cancer, stage 4.My gut tells me it's slow growing but I would like to confirm that somewhere.

    Susanne

    SCC
    My husband was diagnosied with SCC of the nasal cavity on Dec 31, 2008. We have been to several doctors and oncologist and now are meeting with a surgeon at the UF Shands Medical Center and Proton Institute. The recommendation we are receiving from his oncologist it to have surgery which would mean complete removal of his nose.(Rhinectomy). Just wondering if anyone else has had this surgery and what we can expect.

    Jennifer
  • hunpot
    hunpot Member Posts: 90 Member
    #12
    jenniferbos said:

    SCC
    My husband was diagnosied with SCC of the nasal cavity on Dec 31, 2008. We have been to several doctors and oncologist and now are meeting with a surgeon at the UF Shands Medical Center and Proton Institute. The recommendation we are receiving from his oncologist it to have surgery which would mean complete removal of his nose.(Rhinectomy). Just wondering if anyone else has had this surgery and what we can expect.

    Jennifer

    jennifer try reposting this to its own new post under head neck for everyone to see youll get more responss that way. they may not see it in this particular post you can name it Rhinectomy youll get alot more response im sure,
    wish i coul dhelp you wbut i know nothing about this aprticular kind BEst of luck:)
  • heschie
    heschie Member Posts: 37
    #13
    squamouscell
    On the other hand my husbands was very fast growing ( head and neck ) within 4 weeks it was 8cm the following week when it was removed it was 9 cm this was a lympth node on his neck the one under his collar bone was the size of a canelope so I think it just depends on what kind and what part of the body and the idividual

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