Cancer coming back ??? Angry now

soccerfreaks said:

frustration
I had surgery and additional treatment that sounds similar to yours, including the use of muscle and tissue (and, in my case, nerves) from left wrist to replace at least part of what they took from mouth. However, in my case they also did a radical neck disection, removing some 17 lymph nodes, as I recall (seven proved to be cancerous).

I am NOT a doctor so this is explanatory only, and it could very well be something else, such as an infection, as you mention.

Good luck with your tests, which I am glad to read you are going to get. And if you DO need to have the add'l surgery, trust me that the scarring is hardly noticeable and, obviously, well worth it (at least in my case).

Incidentally, I was later diagnosed with the same kind of cancer in my lung. I will omit my usual long story (I have page and blog here if you have any further interest), but suffice it that I am familiar with your frustration and even, perhaps, fear.

Take care,

Joe

"Could be" and "Is": 2 different things.
Colin,
As I read your post, I am disturbed by your doctor putting out there that the lump "could be" the cancer coming back. Choice of words is so crucial to us and sometimes I don't think doctors understand that. Yes, doctors know stuff. But really saying it "could be" is just speculation. Only the biopsy will tell if this is cancer or not.
Mark has SCC HPV+ tonsil. I only know the nature of this cancer, so like Joe, cannot comment on your case. As far as surgery and scarring...Mark, like Joe, had a radical neck dissection. They took out all of his lymph nodes on the left side and the muscle too. Scarring is minimal and amazing. Mark admits he likes his new thinner neck. I think the sugery was huge in his treatment, and the visable changes are a minimal issue.
Keep us informed. Your anger makes sense. Let it go, if you can, until you have the informtion back from the test. It will be what it will be. You will face what comes. We are with you.
Kim

Scambuster said:

Inflamed lymph nodes
Hi Colin,

Sorry to hear you are in this terrible nervous position. Totally understandable.

It is quite likely that your lymph node(s) is very inflamed and hence swollen and painful, because these nodes nearest to the affected area will be processing the dead cancer cells and other debris from your surgery, so they will be under duress. They are only little tiny guys so they can only so much.

Early scans post treatment can also show the nearby nodes to light up because of the presence of cancer cells getting processed by the node. I am surprised your doctor did not mention this as a possible reason. I also would have thought he could have done a needle biopsy on the spot to quickly determine or better 'rule out' a recurrence.

My pre and 1st post treatment scans both showed activity in the 2 nodes nearest my tumor (Left Tonsil) and 2 of my 3 doctors figured it was the nodes doing their thing.

I am not a doctor so I don't how they determine the difference between cancer cells that have been trashed and active cells, but I would imagine the pathologists should know the difference.

Wishing you the best results for the ultra sound Colin.

Scam

trashed/active cells
First, hey Colin I agree with everyone here, all give great advice, don't let the "could be"s get to you. Sometimes doctors feel the need to prepare you for the worst more than they need to. My original biopsy was performed because of persistent swolen lymph nodes. They never hurt, and never got smaller. I was told it was typical for them NOT to hurt--though certainly tumors can cause pain. Best to you.

Second, thanks for your thought Scam. I put the active or dying cell question to my medical onc when my six month scan came back. Activity was borderline, but I had the left neck disection, and three of fifteen lymph nodes came back with traces of cancer. One was one of the original two swollen nodes that led to treatment. Again, I had the neck surgery after chemo and rads. Obviously the original one could have had dying ancer cells. I asked my ent and my medical doc if the cells were active or passive. Neither had good answers. I'm getting a new medical oncologist--his contract with my medical group wasn't renewed, just admin finance politics--so I'm going to show my new doc your letter and see if he has a better answer. Like you, I think it should be simple, but I don't know.
Hal

colinc1 said:

Thanks
I would like to thank everyone for their positive comments, i go for the biopsy tomorrow.

Being on the public health system in Australia is not a real good thing, but it is hell of a lot better than no free health system at all,and that is why i get a dozen different doctors on my case,who all have something different to say.

I am not looking forward to it,but am hoping for the best.

Cheers

Colin

Hoping for the Best
Hoping for the Best for your biopsy later today. You did not have a PET? I'm assuming they're doing a needle biopsy. Do you know when you'll get the biopsy results? Hope it's quick.

Hi Colin
Don't be afraid my friend, my Cancer came back 3 times and I beat it all 3 times. I am still here and will continue to be here to help others like you know there is hope, so please don't give up just keep fighting my friend.

I don't know if you believe in the power of prayer, I do and I will keep you in my prayers

Hondo

colinc1 said:

Update
I had a cat scan with a biopsy on the swollen glan done recently, the result was, a possible stone blocking the glan,the doctor did not suggest any cure or remedy,just said not to worry, its not a cancer.


Now,I am having some shocking pains shooting into my ears(any ideas?), a very painful left side jaw(all my back teeth were removed well before the operation, so its not a tooth ache) and stil have the swelling lymp glan under my chin on the right side that is swollen most of the time,and also get huge swelling around my adams apple when i wake up in the morning, which fades away after an hr or so.

I am not due to see my doctor again until march 2011

I also went to the cancer hospital dentist, who said i could possibly have an infection, but did not offer any suggestion or referral to see someone else about it.

I guess i am going to have to try my luck with a doctor outside the cancer scene,and hopefuly get a course of antibiotics to see if it helps

Cheers

Colin

you don't say what kind of medication
you are taking for pain, Colin. My husband's situation and symptoms sound much like yours. He finished treatment in August 2010 and has been on strong pain medication since. Just this week Jim saw a pain management specialist hoping to get off the pain medication with an alternative treatment. Instead, they added Lyrica, something which helps with neuropathic pain.

Jim also had all teeth removed prior to treatments and still has seen the oral surgeon who did this for him twice to have bone fragments removed as they worked their way to the surface.

Stones can be painful and may require treatment. I would call my oncologist first and if I didn't get help there, call my general practitioner. Surgery may or may not be required to remove the stone: they can often manipulate it and excrete it from the gland if it is not too big.

Let us hear how things go for you, Colin.