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Anyone had Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: Nov 10, 2023 | Replies (53)

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@thomastunstall

I was diagnosed with metastatic HNSCC and malignant neoplasm of the lymphoid in April 2020. I had a very small spot on my left interorbital check (caused by solar radiation) that turned out to be squamous cell carcinoma that metastasized to my left cervical and axilla lymph nodes. I had outpatient surgery to remove the spot (tumor) on my face and began chemo/immuno treatment with carboplatin/taxol and 200 mg of keytruda. After 4 infusions (1 every 3 weeks) the CT Scan showed the largest lymph node had shrank in size from 13 mm to 7 mm and all other nodes returned to normal size. My oncologist decided to continue treatment with just Keytruda (200 mg every 3 weeks). After 5 infusions I had another CT Scan which came back NED. All lymph nodes had resolved, no evidence of irregular node activity. Because of the pandemic, my oncologist switched me to Keytruda @ 400 mg once every 6 weeks. Over the past 2 years I have had 16 infusions, the last one on August 31, 2022. The 3 CT Scans w/ contrast and 2 Pet Scans I had during that period all came back NED. Because I have not experienced any side effects, my Dr wants me to have 2 more Keytruda infusions. With the advances in treatment a metastatic HNSCC diagnosis is not as dire as it once was.

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Replies to "I was diagnosed with metastatic HNSCC and malignant neoplasm of the lymphoid in April 2020. I..."

It is so encouraging to hear of your results. I'm curious as to what insurance you had, as I have not been able to access these treatments despite similar diagnosis.