I’m 71 F and awaiting my first oncology appointment. I’ve had CT & PET scans of my enlarged lymph node in my neck. Finally had surgery to remove it and do a second biopsy on it. Positive for metastatic p16+ squamous cell carcinoma, strong pancytokeratin and p40 positivity. All tests have shown a primary lesion is not identified. Only the lymph node lit up in the PET. So far my ENT has said it has to be throat, tonsils, or back of tongue. He also mentioned, as someone else said, there is a possibility that my body has gotten rid of it or it is just cells so small they are not showing up.
I have squamous cell carcinoma on the right side of my neck. They could not find my primary through the scans and biopsies either. In March I had a 7.5-hour surgery. They found it. It was very small spot on the back of my tongue. They removed it and 27 lymph nodes and 4 were cancerous, my tonsils, and several teeth. I finished radiation the end of May. My Dr. said that it wouldn't just go away.
My brother has metastatic squamous cell cancer found in his neck lymph node bx, surgery to bx tongue, tonsils, back of throat and area around the mass showed nothing and 5 negative lymph nodes. So back again to remove tonsils (maybe deep in tonsils?) And shave the tongue and back of.throat all turned out negative. PET scan and HPV negative. Next step is chemo and radiation to head and neck. They say it must be in this area. They say it's aggressive. They just can't find it. Anyone have this story that can advise? How will they know the radiation and chemo are working when they can't find any other signs of cancer?
Thanks.
My 61-year-old husband was diagnosed with carcinoma of unknow primary. When the enlarged lymph node was detected, it was determined due to the location near the aorta, they could not aspirate it to test, so they did a surgery. They could not remove the lymph node as "everything came with it", so they took a cutting and sent it for testing. After 3 months, they came back with carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP). He had one round of chemo and immunotherapy, but it made him very sick, and he opted not to continue. At our last meeting with the oncologist, he said the prognosis is terminal with 6 - 9 months. I don't know what to expect or signs to look for as the cancer progresses.
Has anyone gone through this? Has anyone tried ivermectin? I've been reading about this.
I am so sorry about your husbands cancer prognosis. My husband has cancer of unknown primary. He too had tonsillectomy and neck dissection. We had been in a fog of uncertainty for most of this year. We went to Rochester MN.Mayo Clinic for one month. Although they didn’t find the primary we have no regrets about going and seeking a second opinion. He had a TORS surgery there. We returned home for suggested treatment. He is now doing radiation and chemotherapy. I hope you find more support for yourself and your husband. My heart goes out to you as I know how hard it is not to know.
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I have squamous cell carcinoma on the right side of my neck. They could not find my primary through the scans and biopsies either. In March I had a 7.5-hour surgery. They found it. It was very small spot on the back of my tongue. They removed it and 27 lymph nodes and 4 were cancerous, my tonsils, and several teeth. I finished radiation the end of May. My Dr. said that it wouldn't just go away.
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2 ReactionsMy brother has metastatic squamous cell cancer found in his neck lymph node bx, surgery to bx tongue, tonsils, back of throat and area around the mass showed nothing and 5 negative lymph nodes. So back again to remove tonsils (maybe deep in tonsils?) And shave the tongue and back of.throat all turned out negative. PET scan and HPV negative. Next step is chemo and radiation to head and neck. They say it must be in this area. They say it's aggressive. They just can't find it. Anyone have this story that can advise? How will they know the radiation and chemo are working when they can't find any other signs of cancer?
Thanks.
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1 ReactionI am so sorry about your husbands cancer prognosis. My husband has cancer of unknown primary. He too had tonsillectomy and neck dissection. We had been in a fog of uncertainty for most of this year. We went to Rochester MN.Mayo Clinic for one month. Although they didn’t find the primary we have no regrets about going and seeking a second opinion. He had a TORS surgery there. We returned home for suggested treatment. He is now doing radiation and chemotherapy. I hope you find more support for yourself and your husband. My heart goes out to you as I know how hard it is not to know.
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