Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cancer

Don't know where to start. I discovered a lump in my neck, that could not be seen, on about Feb  2007. I went to the Dr. and he treated it for infection. About 3 weeks later it got noticible to people. Then I went to the ENT and we disscussed it and we decided to take it out, even though it looked minor. But after he got inside he found a cyste the size of an egg. He said it had hid, because of my neck being so thick. He had it tested and it showed some cancer cells in it. The next step was he sent me for the PET scan, it only showed 2 little hot spots in the area of were the cyste was removed. So we disscussed it further and decided to take out the tonnsils that looked perfectly health, just in case cancer was inside of them. It proved to be a good move. I was told today that the left tonsil was heavy with cancer cells.

So know my ENT is sending me to the specilist in about two weeks to discuss my options. He is telling me that we got the sorce and the cyste allready, so now it is like a mop up procedure, to get any cancer cells left by radation and that this type respondes well to treatment and everything will be fine. I guess I am just worried and not really sure what is coming up in the future regarding the treatment. I will know more after my appointment with the specilist, But was just going to ask your help in what type of Question to ask and any recommendation people might have when I first go see them. I know to most of you it will seem like I am jumping the gun, but this has caught me off gaurd and don't really know where to turn for ansewers.   

That word does catch you off guard, not to mention scare the hell out of you.  My husband has a similar situation.  He noticed a lump on his neck.  After a biopsy being performed, we were told it had cancerous cells in it. After PET scan, Cat scan, MRI and more, the primary could not be located.  He has just complete his second week of radiation and one round of chemotherapy.  So far so good, however he is starting to notice his taste changing which we were expecting.  Our doctor feels good about the prognosis, especially since the lump just about disappeared.  After his treatment, they will then operate and remove any lymph nodes that remain with cancer.  Keep your spirits up and write back on your progress. 

well I am getting the peg tube put in Tuesday and radation starts thursday. Right know I am still staying away from the chemo, because they think they found the sorce, which was the tonsils. Did you husband have the peg tube and was it as good or as bad as some of the other postings have made it out to be. Know that i have a date for starting the radation it has become reel, before I was able to laugh it off, because It seemed far off. Thanks for your response, because I do not know any body that has had this type of cancer.

Sorry for the delay in responding.  The days roll by so quickly with all that is going on.  My husband actually prefers the peg tube.  At this point, (in his sixth week), it is very difficult for him to swallow and food burns his throat.  When he first started experiencing this, he tried a variety of foods and slowly nothing was able to be ingested without discomfort.  He fought with this for a good week and rapidly lost weight to the point it was not good for him from a nutritional standpoint.  He faced the fact he needed to use the peg tube and has done awesome with it.  His frame of mind is what is keeping him going.  He views this as a temporary situation with light at the end of the tunnel.  Keep me posted and be sure to acquire your daily caloric intake as you do not need more problems on top of what you're going through.  Good Luck and keep your spirits up.

You may want to rethink that decision not to have chemo. The chemo, even though it is pretty awful, works in conjunction with the radiation to kill any cells that may have escaped. Since your primary was in your tonsil (as was mine) and you had a lump on your neck that means that the cancer has spread (as did mine) and may be spreading furthur. It is trying to get to your lungs or some other place to setup shop and REALLY do some damage. The radiation will treat you locally at the site but it will not kill any cells that may have traveled beyond the site (and they don't always show up on scans). That's what the chemo will do. This is all pretty scary for you now I know but if your body is able you should get agressive with this. The cancer is agressive so you have to fight fire with fire.  

I wish you luck. You've goit a fight on your hands but if you stay tough you can beat it!

Joe

I am almost done treatment for tonsil cancer. I am female, 41, non-smoker, and health-nut. I was diagnosed Mar.1 during routine tonsillectomy. This tumor was stage 2, and caused by the HPV virus. They do not believe there was lymph node involvement, but the margins of the tumor were NOT completely clean. My treatment began Apr.17. Seven weeks of radiation on both sides, a feeding tube, and three doses of cisplatin. My feeding tube was placed on Apr. 30. the feeding tube has been my biggest problem. you may want to rethink foregoing the chemo, as you can never be sure if any stray cells escaped. I cried when they decided to add the chemo, but I knew I should do it. I have five mor radiation treatments left, and one more chemo. I am still able to talk,sing, and eat solid foods. I take advil for any soreness. I use my feeding tube for fluids only; I eat some solid food and drink at least 3 cans of Nutrin a day. My neck is pretty tan and starting to peel, but no blisters or redness.I am up and about everyday, but did take a leave of absence from work. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have, as I am a little ahead of you in treatment.

Just wondering how you are doing. 

My husband is doing so well with the treatments as far as taking everything they are throwing at him without getting too ill. 

Hope you are ok.