1. < Head & Neck Cancer

Recurring squamous cell cancer

Posted by mimiparris @mimiparris, May 3 7:13am

I had my lower right jaw and tumor removed in August + 44 lymph nodes on right side removed, then 35 radiation treatments and 5 cisplatins, ending in November. A cancerous lymph node appeared on left side of neck in March and had that + 16 other nodes removed with another cancerous node. Now, 6 weeks later, another cancerous lump has appeared on left side of neck. Surgeon will remove that as soon as I can schedule a CT scan. I feel like with this frequent surgery and reappearing cancer, something is wrong with my treatment. Should I seek another opinion, perhaps driving to MD Anderson in Houston (I live in Austin)? How common is this constant reoccurrence of squamous cell cancer? Very frustrating. Thanks for any ideas/advice out there!

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windyshores | @windyshores | May 3 10:00am

Is this squamous cell skin cancer? My mother had one every week, seriously. The skin doctor said she wasn't even the worst case. But if another kind of squamous cell, apologies for not being relevant!

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mimiparris | @mimiparris | May 4 7:08am
In reply to @windyshores "Is this squamous cell skin cancer? My mother had one every week, seriously. The skin doctor..." + (show)
@windyshores

Is this squamous cell skin cancer? My mother had one every week, seriously. The skin doctor said she wasn't even the worst case. But if another kind of squamous cell, apologies for not being relevant!

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No, this is oral cancer, a result of having had Lichen Planus for a longvtime.

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Mentor
William Olsen, Volunteer Mentor | @hrhwilliam | May 4 8:53am

This seems highly unusual, particularly because it is +16 which should respond well to meds. My opinion is you should get a second opinion as soon as possible. MD Anderson would be an excellent choice. Be your best advocate.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sepdvm | May 9 9:29am

@mimiparris I would certainly look into a second opinion, and with a huge cancer center so close, that would be my first choice. With the new immunotherapies approved for head and neck cancer and targeted therapy, there are more options available to you than just more surgery. Please ask for a referral to MD Anderson soon. Has your tumor been tested for genetic mutations? You will have the best results when you take control of your treatment.

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mimiparris | @mimiparris | May 9 10:00am
In reply to @sepdvm "@mimiparris I would certainly look into a second opinion, and with a huge cancer center so..." + (show)
@sepdvm

@mimiparris I would certainly look into a second opinion, and with a huge cancer center so close, that would be my first choice. With the new immunotherapies approved for head and neck cancer and targeted therapy, there are more options available to you than just more surgery. Please ask for a referral to MD Anderson soon. Has your tumor been tested for genetic mutations? You will have the best results when you take control of your treatment.

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Thanks. Yes, in the process if getting admitted to MD Anderson. My surgeon and oncologists have all given me their blessings. “Why wouldn’t you go to one of the best cancer research centers in the world?” said one.

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goffrey | @goffrey | May 14 8:08am
In reply to @hrhwilliam "This seems highly unusual, particularly because it is +16 which should respond well to meds. My..." + (show)
@hrhwilliam

This seems highly unusual, particularly because it is +16 which should respond well to meds. My opinion is you should get a second opinion as soon as possible. MD Anderson would be an excellent choice. Be your best advocate.

Jump to this post

No he stated it was due to Lichen Planus which is not the same as HPV+ cancer. It does tend to reoccur.

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