Tonsillectomy question

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mkwalters88
mkwalters88 Member Posts: 12
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

anyone out there have an "occult primary" detected after tonsillectomy? If so was additional, more invasive surgury performed afterwards In the area? Thanks for the input any feedback greatly appreciate. 

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  • Chicklette
    Chicklette Member Posts: 225
    edited April 2017 #2
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    I don't think so ...

    Hello.  My husband has an occult primary, however after his tonsilectomy, it is still an occult primary.  They can't find the primary source so they are going to aim the rads at the tonsil beds and the BOT since that is where most HPV cancers originate.  I think it would depend on your surgeon, but often times they try not to do invasive surgery if the problem can be treated with the chemo / radiation combination.  My husband did not even have a neck dissection.   The doctor does not feel that it is necessary as the chemo / rads should take care of the problem.  And this is at a top notch hospital in Boston.  If your surgeon suggests invasive surgery, I would seek a second opinion.

    Best of luck!

    ~Chicklette~

  • MMDowns
    MMDowns Member Posts: 318
    #3
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    I know that when my husband

    I know that when my husband was first diagnosed they thought he had a may have a unknown primary source and one of his questions was "can you just cut out the lymph node?"  To which the ENT responded with a very emphatic NO.  We were told that the procedure was done years ago but it has since shown that more invasive surgery or surgery alone can actually spread the cancer cells.  Our rad's dr and oncologist also said the same.  They told us that radiation and chemo will take care of this cancer and the rads are the primary tool and the chemo aids the rads.  We are at KU Cancer Center in K.C. MO and it's one of the best cancer centers so we feel confident in their info.  Not sure if this helps...  

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