1. < Head & Neck Cancer
Profile picture for usnavysailor8404

Stage 3 glottic cancer T3N0M0 treatment options

Posted by usnavysailor8404 @usnavysailor8404, 6 days ago

Hello everyone - I was just recently diagnosed with stage 3 glottic cancer ( squamous cell carcinoma) the tumor is on my right vocal cord and it is fixed - not moving. I am a Navy veteran and am been treated at my local VA hospital. The treatment been offered to me is a full laryngoscopy - due to concern from my cancer board that the tumor is spreading to nearby tissue; I have an MRI schedule for later this week to confirm any spread. I did have a PET scan done 2 weeks ago and the results showed that there is no metastasizin. If the MRI shows no spreading than chemotherapy & radiation will be recommended. Otherwise I am a 44 year old male who is active & exercises regularly with no other ailments but this. I am doing my best to stay positive and have a great support group but I have to admit this news has devastated me and left me scared on what's to come. I don't want to lose my voice box and am researching as much as possible for possible outcomes and treatments for this type of cancer. I would greatly appreciate any opinions of anyone who has gone through this scary situation and anyone who has beaten this. As of right now I am leaning more towards chemotherapy and radiation to preserve my voice even though my doctors are recommending a laryngoscopy.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Head & Neck Cancer Support Group.

Profile picture for jt1957
jt1957 | @jt1957 | 6 days ago

Sending you my best wishes. My husband had recurrent glottic cancer and had a laryngectomy almost 3 years ago. It’s a big surgery and a huge adjustment, but it was the only option for him. He’s a teacher, so he relies on being able to talk! Just to let you know that it’s possible to thrive and do well after this surgery, and there are support groups out there for laryngectomees. Best of luck to you.

REPLY
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sepdvm | 6 days ago

Hello @usnavysailor8404. So sorry to hear that you are going through this. My son in law, age 44, has just completed radiation and chemo for SCC of tonsil with local metastasis to lymph node near vocal fold. His is HPV associated. He was given a 95% cure rate with this treatment. Have you been tested for that? The HPV tumors are more responsive to radiation/chemo than non-hpv. That knowledge might help you make a decision. A second opinion, at a large referral center or cancer center, would be helpful to you. Might be non-VA but you would benefit from another viewpoint. You are your own best advocate for your health care so pursue answers until you are satisfied. I would ask if laryngectomy is still an option if radiation/chemo fails. Also know that rad/chemo is a tough treatment, with swallowing issues and long term effects that can keep arising years later. Radiation is the gift that keeps on giving. Ask if Proton beam radiation is available nearby instead of Photon the traditional radiation. There can be better results with proton. I have metastatic SCC which began in my ear, not HPV associated. Mayo Clinic has handled my care for the last 14 years with multiple surgeries and radiation, chemo therapies. You must have trust in your medical team to do the best for you as an individual. It helps to know that you have done your best to find the right team. Would you consider a second opinion?

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for usnavysailor8404
usnavysailor8404 | @usnavysailor8404 | 5 days ago
In reply to @sepdvm "Hello @usnavysailor8404. So sorry to hear that you are going through this. My son in law,..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sepdvm

Hello @usnavysailor8404. So sorry to hear that you are going through this. My son in law, age 44, has just completed radiation and chemo for SCC of tonsil with local metastasis to lymph node near vocal fold. His is HPV associated. He was given a 95% cure rate with this treatment. Have you been tested for that? The HPV tumors are more responsive to radiation/chemo than non-hpv. That knowledge might help you make a decision. A second opinion, at a large referral center or cancer center, would be helpful to you. Might be non-VA but you would benefit from another viewpoint. You are your own best advocate for your health care so pursue answers until you are satisfied. I would ask if laryngectomy is still an option if radiation/chemo fails. Also know that rad/chemo is a tough treatment, with swallowing issues and long term effects that can keep arising years later. Radiation is the gift that keeps on giving. Ask if Proton beam radiation is available nearby instead of Photon the traditional radiation. There can be better results with proton. I have metastatic SCC which began in my ear, not HPV associated. Mayo Clinic has handled my care for the last 14 years with multiple surgeries and radiation, chemo therapies. You must have trust in your medical team to do the best for you as an individual. It helps to know that you have done your best to find the right team. Would you consider a second opinion?

Jump to this post

@sepdvm - Hi Sue and thank you for your response. P16 was pending last I checked but I will find out soon. I am very open to a second opinion and am working with Mayo Clinic here in FL to see what they tell me. A laryngectomy is not what I want but I'm weighing all my options and hopefully I can do without it, I will ask & find out if the VA does proton. I am also considering getting care with Mayo Clinic instead if I receive better information from them considering that they have a great reputation with cancer treatment.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.