Diagnosis: Tonsillar Squamous Cell Carcinoma

On 3/25/2008 Lindalb wrote:

Hi everyone,

I am new to this so please bear with me. Last Tuesday my husband, who has never been sick a day of his life) has been diagnosed with  tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma.  Within the last two weeks a large mass became visable on the left side of his throat. The ENT did a fine needle aspiration biopsy and followed by a PET scan, which showed the tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma with regional scattering around to the right side of his neck. The Dr. told us he wanted to A.S.A.P. do sugery this week, followed by approximately six-weeks of radiation.  Now , today Tuesday a week later we finally heard from his nurse that they have scheduled surgery in two weeks on a Friday!......The doctor who is to assist him is out of town this week and so therefore, next week it is.  The nurse said the Dr. was very busy, and I have had some very good reports on him, but my concern is what he initially told us, and now surgery is scheduled in TWO weeks!.

 

My husband called the Dr. at home last night at his home and asked him to call him last night or today, beacuse he wants to discuss this situation. I guess where I am going with this is, considering his diagonsis, should we consider a cancer Dr. in Dallas or stay where we are, and just really how serious is this?  The Dr. lead us to belive it was very serious. Now, I have forgotten to mention that the PET scan showd no metases to his larynx, thyroid, lungs, or liver.  What should we think/do/ ask? I am just so upset.

 

We do have a large support base ...family and our churche, also other area churches, plus people from California to Florida praying for us.

 

 

We live in a town of about 28,000 people and have a large cancer center here, because for some reason, we have a large ratio of cancer in our county.

Please, someone respond quicklu. Thank you so much and blessings to everyone on this board. Like said ealier, I have never had to do this before and I need people's input that are here and have been here.

 

Linda

Linda:

My journey began in January when I found a bulge in my neck.  They removed my left lymph node which was a Stage III squamous cell cancer.  The ENT stated that cancer does not start in your lymph node so the search began for the primary source. They told my wife and I that this cancer is for those who normally smoke and drink alot.  Surprise! I don't smoke and I drink very very little.

 A date was set for them to do a search of my throat, mouth, and nose region.  My tonsils were to be removed.  I'm 55 and they want to take out my tonsils.  Any way they found the primary was in my left tonsil and that the cancer was on the outer rim of the tonsil which means the surrounding tissue has that cancer too!

My problem is now with the dentist who is taking her sweet time to get me cleared so I can start my chemo/radiation treatments.

Hang in there and if you want someone to talk to you can call us anytime.  Our number is

.  My name is Bob and my wife's name is Anne.  We will put you in our prayers.  God Bless!

Bob