Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

On 1/19/2008 Mediator wrote:

My husband has NPC.  Found some survivors via the oral section of this site.  Any survivors or caregivers of this rare cancer in this section?

I was diagnosed with nasopharangeal cancer in Dec 2006.  What I found was that tratment really depends on the specific site of the cancer.  Have the DR's determined that yet?

Hi, yes they have. 

They are going with a recommended protocol of chemoradiography from Johns Hopkins (teaching and research hospital in Baltimore MD.)  This aspect seems to be consistent - 30 - 35 days of IMRT.  The variation seems to be the chemo.  My husband just received his first of three chemos, lasting all day.  170 mg cisplatin, washed thru with Decadron, Ativan, Emend and another antinausea I can't remember.  We are 48 hours out and no problems.  He had hiccups last night from the Decadron I assume.  I used acupressure above his eyebrows and this released them.  Sometimes those centuries old techniques really work. This tip came from a caregiver.  Another survivor suggested glutamine which also seems to be helping.  Four days of radiation hasn't yeilded a problem yet.  He has a peg line in case his throat gets bad. 

If you have any tips or suggestions for what work for you, please share.  So far, my best solutions for my husband have come from those of you who have been thru it. 

How are you?  Did you fare well from the process or have residual damage?

Thank you for your help.

Blessings to you.

Sorry, forgot to say that origin was definitely the nasopharynx tumors.  Spread from there to both lymph glands.  No other sites fournd.

On 1/20/2008 Mediator wrote:

Hi, yes they have. 

They are going with a recommended protocol of chemoradiography from Johns Hopkins (teaching and research hospital in Baltimore MD.)  This aspect seems to be consistent - 30 - 35 days of IMRT.  The variation seems to be the chemo.  My husband just received his first of three chemos, lasting all day.  170 mg cisplatin, washed thru with Decadron, Ativan, Emend and another antinausea I can't remember.  We are 48 hours out and no problems.  He had hiccups last night from the Decadron I assume.  I used acupressure above his eyebrows and this released them.  Sometimes those centuries old techniques really work. This tip came from a caregiver.  Another survivor suggested glutamine which also seems to be helping.  Four days of radiation hasn't yeilded a problem yet.  He has a peg line in case his throat gets bad. 

If you have any tips or suggestions for what work for you, please share.  So far, my best solutions for my husband have come from those of you who have been thru it. 

How are you?  Did you fare well from the process or have residual damage?

Thank you for your help.

Blessings to you.

 

HI   i have been through the process last year finished last chemo june 1st. so far all followup visits have been clear ..i would love to answer any ? you may have .. how are you doing now ? looks like your about half way through radiation... i had 39 treatments lost 40 lbs.. but i didnt have a peg..drank alot of ensure and carnation instant. one thing you might try is benecalorie from walgreens...its terrible to taste but make a milk shake out of it ..lots of calories....i know the road ahead has lots of hurdules to overcome but maintain the faith..