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What treatment options are available to reccurrence of H&N cancer?
Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: Mar 10 8:46pm | Replies (15)Comment receiving replies
Hi IJones,
If I recall you were staged at T1N1. Now you are coming up on a six month check and likely the worry and angst is keeping you on edge. I can honestly tell you I know of no one at your initial stage level who had reoccurrence within the first five years, let alone the first six months, and I have known quite a few patients. Stage 3 or 4 is an entirely different conversation.
I can also attest to knowing no patient who wasn’t on edge concerning the six-month check, years 1,2,3,4 and finally the five year check. And this is followed by the thousands of thoughts our brains try to convince us that practically every ailment, every oddity, every twinge is the reoccurrence of the cancer. For me it has been 24 years. I will let you know when that reoccurrence feeling finally goes away.
At my five year check my oncologist told me congratulations as now I was considered to have the same odds of having cancer as the general population, to which I responded “Great.” “That’s where I was when I got cancer!” Much to his dismay.
It’s normal to feel the way you do. I as well would be interested to hear of anyone who was re-radiated soon after stage 1 SCC P16+. In the meantime, would you let me know how your six-months check went and how you are doing with the overall recovery?
Good healing and of course “Courage.”
Replies to "Hi IJones, If I recall you were staged at T1N1. Now you are coming up on..."
Hi William,
What would the conversation be if stage 4a, pT2, pN2b perineurial invasion, skeletal muscle involvement, extra nodal extension? The cancer is an unknown type, Mayo couldn't figure it out and final path is unspecified, high grade carcinoma. First scans are in April. A genomic panel was done and we have an appointment with genomic specialist April 1.
I am the caregiver and also concerned about the amount of muscle wasting that occurred very quickly. My husband is 3 weeks post radiation/chemo and we weren't told anything about this problem. Any info would be helpful.
Hi William,
I had my 6 month check yesterday. She indicated everything looked good. She only completed a visual, but there were no scans, which freaks me out a little.
Hi William,
I had a T1N1 oropharyngeal SCC P16+ tumor removed last April with a right neck dissection. I did not have follow-up radiation or chemo treatment. I had recurrent cancer in another lymph node on the right side of my neck in December, and had it removed last month. I have been presented by my doctor the options of adjuvant radiation or follow-up surveillance. I will be speaking with him today to hopefully get additional guidance. I am curious about your use of the term "re-radiation". Are you referring to the use of adjuvant radiation or radiation to a site that was previously radiated?
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Thank you William. Absolutely it is the upcoming check up that is causing me to be edgy. Really appreciate your thoughts and input.