Meet others living with Head & Neck Cancer: Introduce yourself

Hi Maureen: Have you heard of hearing loss due to radiation treatment?

@rossfee,Yes! It's usually from chemo (Cisplatin) isn't it, but radiation near the ear can cause it too from what I can see. We have a problem in New Zealand where our medical care is free but hearing aids aren't funded even if hearing loss is caused by treatment.

Thanks for your reply. I did not have chemotherapy but I did have proton radiation treatment.

My sister (in her mid 60s) has angiosarcoma of the scalp. She had surgery & flap reconstruction and is healing well. Now, even tho the surgeon told her he removed all the cancer, she’s been made aware that radiation is most likely in her future.
Has anyone else been diagnosed with this rare & aggressive cancer? I know she would benefit to know she’s not alone. I just want to help her.

Hello @grizz20, I do not know anyone and had to look this cancer up.
However, I do know that radiation is often considered a good way of mopping
up any stray cells after successful surgery. On the scalp, the radiotherapy
should not be too bad, compared to those of us who experience its effects
in the mouth.

It sounds to me as if your sister is fortunate that the cancer was found in
an early stage and could be removed.

It's hard for people with rare diseases to find peers. There might be a
rare diseases group here but as far as having surgery and radiation to the
head and neck go, we are you group! I wish your sister well.

HI, my name is Truman. I have had 6 kinds of cancer: prostate, squamous, atypical squamous, melanoma, spindle cell and basal. I cannot recall how many excisions I have had. My current concern is spindle cell metastasizing. Any good advice? :<)

I have no idea of any way I can help - just am not acquainted with that
type. Hope all works out for you - you have had more than your share.

Mary Helen Duggar

Hi @grizz20, we have several members on Mayo Clinic Connect who have experience with angiosarcoma. You may be interested in connecting with them in this discussion:
- Diagnosed with sarcoma? Let's share https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diagnosed-with-sarcoma-lets-share/

Hi @trauman, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Wow, you've had more than your fair share of cancer. Were the squamous, atypical squamous, melanoma, spindle and basal cell carcinomas all in the head and neck region?

Where has the spindle cell carcinoma spread? What treatment is being suggested?

Coleen:

Thanks for the response!

All were in the head, neck and upper chest. All, including melanoma, have been successfully excised until the Spindle came along. It was first diagnosed and excised in the inside front of the right ear. It has spread to the other side and skin adjacent to the ear. I have had four excisions on that ear, all types cancer excisions have used MOHS.

I have had MRI, CAT and PET (oncologist Dr. will share results of PET next week). Having upper GI 5th. I have: Splenomegaly (over sized spleen, MRI showed some other abnormalities) with the notation (Splenectomy) in my Dr's records. The skin surgeon who did the graft has emphasized that a repeat of cancer in that area would require removal of a good portion of the ear (no sweat, just get it all). The latest "strip search" last week (4 per year) had two biopsies -- one behind the right ear (from my observation and experiences it is another active site), results should come any day.

I do not keep "score" on excisions, just types.

All of the test results have not come in, nor has a decision been made about long term treatment. At this point my decision is to have my oncologist direct all treatment.

My personal opinion: The sooner diagnosed and treated, the best chance for success. Physical and mental health are directly related -- keep activities and relationships that are pleasing. Keep exercised and body strength up. Do NOT take any "natural" substances without Dr.'s approval.

If anybody has any experiences or successful treatment of this condition, I would appreciate any input. I know the cause of mine, have had successful removal of repeated various types for 18 years until the Spindle came to visit.

Cancer does not run in my family nor any of my cousins. I have gotten paranoid and spooked now by the Spindle! :<)

Truman