Biopsy Done

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Tonita
Tonita Member Posts: 197 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Well, he actually did the biopsy today.  He believes that it most likely is cancer but doesn't think it has advanced.  I'm going for the cat scans next week and I'll see him right after that for the results of the biopsy and the scans.

He talked about removing the tumor and a lymph node as a precaution and that should do it.

First step over with. 

Comments

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    #2
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    Keep us posted...

    At least you can feel like you're on your way and not just waiting. You are in the right place for information, support and encouragement. Try not to obsess about the results...easier said than done, I know! Life turns on a dime but all you can do take it one moment at a time.

    Barbara 

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #3
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    Hi Tonita

    We are hopping & praying it is not a cancer, but even if it is you will make it through this, it is just a little detour in life that some of us have to take. Try to find something to keep your focus on and go in fighting, we all here fighting for you.

     

    Tim

  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #4
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    Tonita

    Hope it doesn't, but if the biopsy sample comes back Positive, then you best remind your Dr. that you need to go thru a PET scan to make sure it has not spread elsewhere, and will also tell said Dr. more about the actual size of the problem area. If you've not already had a PET scan, then your Dr. doesn't really know what he's dealing with, yet. Be aware of that, and tell him that, if you have to. And, not sure why he would mention removal of a lymph node, at this point. I had two enlarged lymphs for my NPC, and had no removal- rads zapped them back to size; however, everybody is different, and the course of tx they had me go thru is why I didn't have like many do, which is the removal of numerous lymphs. FYI. 

    We do need to know if you are going to a major C Med Center, or are out in the boondocks. My first-Cousin was treated, initially, in a boondock city of some 32,000 people, for Esophageal, and his C Drs did not treat him as they should have from the start. Esophageal is a tougher one to beat, but his Drs. still nickel and dimed his tx, which of course did not get rid of C, and then months passed before they realized it was worse than they figured, which lead him to see Drs in Chicago and Peoria, and an 8-hour Op. that couldn't even get it all...he's no longer with us. The reason I point this out is what we all know: the first round of tx, if it involves C&R is critical, and they should get it all with the first round. This is 2016- not the 1990 of 26-years ago, and progress in the field means they should get it all with the first round. So, at least let us know if you are in a big city with a good C Med Center, please.

    kcass

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #5
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    Sorry to hear that...

    If it is confirmed you will have lots of questions. I recomend you write them down and leave room for answers. Now you just hand it to the doctor and he should answer them, and have someone with you. Two sets of ears are better, or tape it like my wife did for me. Second opinion is always good, but it sounds like it was found early. Still I would go to the best place you can so check with insurance and concider time and distance, and best if they have what is called a tumor board. I'm California so I had several to choose from as I live in the middle. I even concidered going out of state, but with my research and my condition and thinking about my wife, I new where I needed to go for me. I made the right choice as I have had a lot less problems than most and my lungs are very bad as well. Will keep you in my prayers.

    http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/ear-nose-and-throat  < is set to Head & Neck but you can change it to cancer. It does make a differance.

    Bill

  • Tonita
    Tonita Member Posts: 197 Member
    #6
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    I will ask about the PET vs

    I will ask about the PET vs CT scan.  Won't the CT show what he needs to see, or that it hasn't spread?

    I'm going to the Smilow Cancer Center at Yale.  As for the lymph node, I can't be 100% certain of the context in which he said it.  It was quite the overwhelming day for sure.

    I was in the process of moving when all of this came about.  If I am able to continue my plans, I'll be close to Dartmouth for further treatment if necessary.  There's a lot going on in my life at the moment. 

    I think the most difficult thing for me right now is getting serious about smoking cessation.  I suppose I just have to do it.

     

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #7
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    Tonita said:

    I will ask about the PET vs

    I will ask about the PET vs CT scan.  Won't the CT show what he needs to see, or that it hasn't spread?

    I'm going to the Smilow Cancer Center at Yale.  As for the lymph node, I can't be 100% certain of the context in which he said it.  It was quite the overwhelming day for sure.

    I was in the process of moving when all of this came about.  If I am able to continue my plans, I'll be close to Dartmouth for further treatment if necessary.  There's a lot going on in my life at the moment. 

    I think the most difficult thing for me right now is getting serious about smoking cessation.  I suppose I just have to do it.

     

    If you're at a University Hospital...

    then I would think the chances are highly likely that if the biopsy comes back with cancer, they will give you a PET scan....there is no sense in getting a CT....if it comes back positive.  A CT/MRI with and without contrast can tell them a lot of what they want to know, so maybe that's what he's thinking.

    Yes...dump the ciggies...if quitting is too painful (and it certainly was for me)....go to a smoke shop and ask about vapor.  It's a way to cut down nicotine levels without burning combustable materials....smoke is what kills ya, not so much the nicotine.  Also, the patches work, too. 

    p

  • swopoe
    swopoe Member Posts: 492
    #8
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    Tonita said:

    I will ask about the PET vs

    I will ask about the PET vs CT scan.  Won't the CT show what he needs to see, or that it hasn't spread?

    I'm going to the Smilow Cancer Center at Yale.  As for the lymph node, I can't be 100% certain of the context in which he said it.  It was quite the overwhelming day for sure.

    I was in the process of moving when all of this came about.  If I am able to continue my plans, I'll be close to Dartmouth for further treatment if necessary.  There's a lot going on in my life at the moment. 

    I think the most difficult thing for me right now is getting serious about smoking cessation.  I suppose I just have to do it.

     

    I am sure Yale and Dartmouth

    I am sure Yale and Dartmouth will do you right if in fact it is cancer. With my husband's tongue cancer, we were told that tongue cancer sometimes doesn't show on CT scans (with or without contrast). Where my husband was treated (Houston), they like to use MRI. hopefully you will get good results from the biopsy. And please try to quit smoking. My husband got tongue cancer and never smoked a single cigarette. Please quit now, even if you are cancer free.

  • corleone
    corleone Member Posts: 312 Member
    #9
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    Tonita said:

    I will ask about the PET vs

    I will ask about the PET vs CT scan.  Won't the CT show what he needs to see, or that it hasn't spread?

    I'm going to the Smilow Cancer Center at Yale.  As for the lymph node, I can't be 100% certain of the context in which he said it.  It was quite the overwhelming day for sure.

    I was in the process of moving when all of this came about.  If I am able to continue my plans, I'll be close to Dartmouth for further treatment if necessary.  There's a lot going on in my life at the moment. 

    I think the most difficult thing for me right now is getting serious about smoking cessation.  I suppose I just have to do it.

     

    PET

    Actually it is a specialized version of CT. The full name is FDG-PET/computed tomography (CT). It is useful because it shows regions with increased metabolic activity (cancer cell really glutton on blood glucose (FDG = Fluorodeoxyglucose). So it adds to the information showed on a regular CT. The downside it has also false positive results; for instance inflammatory/infection cells also have increase uptake. 

  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #10
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    Tonita said:

    I will ask about the PET vs

    I will ask about the PET vs CT scan.  Won't the CT show what he needs to see, or that it hasn't spread?

    I'm going to the Smilow Cancer Center at Yale.  As for the lymph node, I can't be 100% certain of the context in which he said it.  It was quite the overwhelming day for sure.

    I was in the process of moving when all of this came about.  If I am able to continue my plans, I'll be close to Dartmouth for further treatment if necessary.  There's a lot going on in my life at the moment. 

    I think the most difficult thing for me right now is getting serious about smoking cessation.  I suppose I just have to do it.

     

    Great-

    to hear you're at a real quality C Med Center. My ENT Dr. did time both at Wake Forest and at the U of Iowa. Yale is a giant name, though not sure about their medical program. Lot depends on the specific Drs, there. When I went thru tx the U of Iowa was ranked 4th in the nation, which surprised me. It was all because of the Drs. Then I looked at Chicagoland, expecting Rush to be highly-ranked, only to find Northwestern Med Center was the only center with a high ranking! Thing is- those rankings only applied to the ENT Department, rather than just being specific to ol' C.

    Feel at ease about your Drs knowing what to do, Tonita. And yes- do what you must to quit the smoking. Like P51 said, even vapor might be an acceptable out. Could try a patch, and keep your mouth busy with a sucker, or some other harmless candy.

    kcass

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