squamous cell in throat

Hello @jimchardy,

You'll notice that I moved your message to the Head & Neck Cancer group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/head-neck-cancer/) so that you can connect more easily with others who may have similar symptoms and have shared their experiences. I also encourage you to +Follow the group, read through this discussion:
– Meet others living with Head & Neck Cancer – Come introduce yourself https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/meet-others-living-with-head-neck-cancer-come-introduce-yourself/

I'm tagging @alpaca, @trudivo @patricia1215 @nanny23 @lzzie @jeffk, @loli and @rebecca1972 to bring them into this discussion. In the meantime, can you tell me a bit more? How are you managing with eating at present? Has a doctor given you any explanation or diagnosis?

I have some difficulty with swallowing and I can open my mouth only about half way. My wife is being very accomodating with smoothies and soft foods that are easy to chew. I did have a throat surgeon take a sample of the tiisue and have it biopsied and is is squamous cell cancer. It is acting very aggressive in that a hole has opmened in my throat near my tonsils. We are very concerned about this behavior and are scheduling a P.E.T scan next tuesday to get more input on what is involved.

I was given the results of my P.E.T. scan which show that the tumor is very aggressive. I will likely begin radiation trearment within a week, combined with Opdivo infusions once every two weeks. I am pretty tough and I am about to discover how tough.

Hi Jim,
I was reading through your posts and wanted to be sure I understood correctly. Opdivo has been prescribed for the metastatic renal (kidney) cancer. And then a second type of cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, was discovered in your throat that is unrelated to the kidney cancer. The throat cancer will be treated with radiation. Did I get that right?

@alpaca @loli @jeffk @hoppy and others here in the Head & Neck cancer group can help answer your questions about what to expect with radiation. Have you had the radiation simulation yet? What questions might you have?

Hello Jim, Chemo works very well with SQ Cell. I had 38 treatments of radiation that almost killed me. I had a tumor under my right jaw and 4.5 years later had SQ Cell in my right tonsil. I underwent Chemo at the ND Cancer center, and then continued with radiation. I also had left and right radical neck dissections. If I could do things over I would not have the surgery, because the Chemo worked so well. Every case is different, all I can tell you is what I did and now in hind-sight, tell you what I should have done. Pray about it, and let the real Doctor advise you. After all, He knows better than anyone!

Hi Jim have they taken a biopsy? If so did it test positive for HPV Virus? If so that is a plus because it will be more receptive to treatment. I am not going to paint a rosy picture for you Head and Neck cancer if one of the toughest treatments there are.

But I’m here to tell you that you can do it and what an inspiration you will be to others.

I can share my journey with you. You can and will do this and become a mentor to millions
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/249082252170581/permalink/346047705807368/

Thank you for sharing your pictorial journey. They did a biopsy but no mention was made of HPV in the results. To make my situation even more of a challenge, I am also dealing with renal cell carcinoma, stage IV.

Yes

Thank you for your information and hind sight. I will definitely keep it in mind when facing options.

I have not had any radiation, at this point. I have a consultation scheduled with a radiation oncologist and find out his recommendations at that time.