Tonsil Squamous Cell Carcinoma

I was diagnosed June 2005 (age 59)with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tonsil. I served from 1967-1968 in Chu Li. I only smoked for four years in and after service and one or two years fifteen years later and do not drink. I am trying to find connection as well. I have started radiation this week and will take it for two month. Any information to make it service connected would be helpful. Thanks.

Hi Jimmie and whoever else might be reading this. My name is Michael and I was diagnosed as well with SCC. I did three tours of Viet-Nam. Two on a carrier [I was in the Navy] and one on the ground. An Thoi, Phu Quock Island. Mobile Riverine Forces. We worked with the 9th Infantry Div. [Army] I'm at a VA hospital presently, have had a killer biopsy. Is healing. Dr. wants to pull out all my teeth. Radiation and chemo for seven weeks. I'm 59, was healthy 'till I found this out. Started getting sore throat in mid July of 05. Dr. says stage 4A. Any ideas, anyone? michael

Kandy,
I know it has been a long time since you posted this, but my husband was just diagnosed three weeks ago with tonsillar cancer and I just found this board. He was in Viet Nam in 1967 and was at Chu Li. Was Agent Orange found there? Have you found very many other vets from Chu Lai that have tonsil cancer?

I was stationed at An Thoi, Phu Quock Island in 67-68, Viet Nam. Most bases and posts were built on de-foliated areas of Viet Nam. Agent Orange is most likely the cause of my cancer of the throat and tonsilar area. I've done alternative treatments since October 05. Now it's March 06. The Dr. wants to do a neck dissection, followed by radiation, and maybe chemo. I assume quality of life will go downhill. Any good ideas?

I served in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969 with the 9th infantry division. Last year I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil with metastasis to the lymph node and neck. Went through radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery and am now 1 year cancer free.

I filed a claim with the VA and recently received notification that my claim was denied. Reason for denial is that the condition is not a condition that is considered to be presumptive to Agent Orange per VA regulation. Also, my service medical records do not show any evidence of cancer in service.

Should I just accept the VA response? Is there any pending legislation to add this type of cancer to the presumptive list?

Oh my gosh, appeal , appeal, appeal. Look how many there are in here.

Phil was in the 25th the same years as you in nam. He has the EXACT same thing. It has been one year since surgery.
Take Care good luck and write back. Carla.

I also had tonsil cancer. Diagnosed last February and had radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery to remove lymph nodes. Was with the 9th infantry division 1968 to 1969. Filed a claim with the VA, but was denied. Good luck.

I was diagnosed with SCC Tonsil Cancer spreading to nodes in Oct. 05, 4b t2 n2 mx.

Filed my claim last Nov 05 and haven`t heard. My doc gave me a letter saying this cancer should be added to agent orange list. He is a major expert and has pages of awards in his field.

Ron
Korea, Vietnam, Cambodis
11th Cav 69/70

I haven't appealed because I have yet to find anyone who has been successful in getting the VA to compensate for tonsillar cancer - Did your husband have any success? You can e-mail me at --- Message edited by CancerCompass staff: for personal protection, email address removed. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html ----

I was a helicopter pilot station at Chu Li in 1970 and was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the right neck, with possible right tonsillar primary. In September of 2003 I had radical right neck dissection followed by 37 radiation treatments. During the operation they did biopsies of the tonsils, tongue, vocal cords, nasopharynx, and numerous other tissues. All came back negative, except for 6 of the 36 lymph nodes. The final diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma of the right neck with occult primary. The occult primary means that they do not know the origin of the cancer other then it some where in the area of the neck. I applied for medical benefits from the VA and was denied, because the origin of the cancer could not be identified. I have been cancer free for three years and hope that your husband is doing well. I believe this cancer is related to agent orange and any help that you or any one else may have would be appreciated.