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Cancer wrapped around carotid artery

Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: May 5 8:40am | Replies (6)
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@phyllisg

I'm happy for you and may that continue. Unfortunately my husband is not strong enough for radiation or chemo now. It will take time to build up strength and this cancer is so aggressive we may not have time to wait. ENT has discussed going in and getting as much as possible to take pressure off the artery and covering the area with a flap of tissue from elsewhere. This would set treatments back even further. Has anyone tried this type of surgery? No good options here.

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Replies to "I'm happy for you and may that continue. Unfortunately my husband is not strong enough for..."
jimthomasintl | @jimthomasintl | May 5 6:39am

I had the flap surgery in 2020. Tumors soon returned and wrapped around the carotid artery in the neck. They are reluctant to do surgery and the process sounded very complicated. I was surrised to learn that they thought I had a 10% chance of stroke wich seemed low to me, but very high for them. I guess I underestimate the damage a stroke could do and how good my qulity of life is now. They have put me on Opdivo since 2021 with amazing results up until early 2024. Theh can see the tumor again and it is sow growing s Im meeting my ENT surgeon at Mayo again soon to dicuss surgical options again. One step forward two steps back I guess.

Has anyone had the surgery for a tumor attached to a carotid artery? Results? Advice?

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