CancerCompass message board discussion started by Simple Gifts on 1/30/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,9237,0.htm Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I’m putting a lot of information in this post because there may be a nugget of information that sparks something in your experience.  Here goes…. On Sept 8, I burnt my mouth on pizza and instinctively took a gulp of my drink, which happened to be scalding hot coffee.  The next day I noticed what I thought was a burn in my throat.  The right side was inflamed and looked like there were a couple of blisters.  I touched the sore with a Q-tip and there was a spot of blood.  I thought I burned my mouth and patiently waited 4 months for it to heal since it really didn’t have any pain.  A few times I mentioned it casually to my husband, but I finally had him take a look.  He sent me straight to the doctor’s office.  On January 3, a nurse looked and had no clue what it was.  She sent me to a Otolaryngologist, who thought the lesion could be scar tissue from the burn, but he really wasn’t sure what it was.  I was scheduled for a Microlaryngoscopy with biopsy.  The lesion and right tonsil were removed.  The tumor, which was completely removed, was not growing out of the tonsil; it was next to it.  He said it was a solid mass that did not appear to be a typical cancer. (I’m wondering if this is because I discovered crystallized ginger in September and liked it so much I was eating it everyday since then.) The biopsy came back: Diagnosis:Right tonsil biopsies showing invasive poorly differentiated squamous cellcarcinoma. Gross Description:Received in formalin and labeled ‘Biopsy right tonsil”, is a 2.0 x 1.5 x 0.Ocm aggregate of fragments of pink-white tissue. Entirely submitted as 1 A. Microscopic Description:The biopsies show invasive poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma.  The tumor consists of tongues of neoplastic stratified squamous epithelium budding from the overlying epithelium and extending into the submucosa.  The tumor cells show enlarged irregular nuclei and moderate finely granular pink cytoplasm. Keratin production is not present.  The surface mucosa is locally ulcerated.  The tumor extends to the underlying minor salivary glands and focally invades bundles of skeletal muscle.  No perineural or lymphatic invasion are identified. My radiation Oncologist classified it as a stage 3 - T1, N0, M0 I went for a CT scan, which did not show any spread to the lymph glands.  It did show a cyst within the left tonsil.  I had the left tonsil out yesterday and am waiting for the biopsy results.  The Otolaryngologist did not think it was cancer.  I also am waiting for the result of a chest xray. I now have an appointment scheduled withr an oral surgeon.  Although my regular dentist said I was fine, I have 3 teeth with deep fillings that more experienced dentist will have to evaluate.  I have been fitted for fluoride trays. If the second biopsy shows no cancer, the radiation oncologist is suggesting for a first course of treatment 5 weeks of radiation focusing on the right tonsil area and all draining lymph using IMRT.  There would be 25 treatments.  Then I would receive 2 weeks of radiation focused on the tonsil.  35 treatments total during 7 weeks.  I would receive Ethyol daily (M-F) to protect salivary glands. I am in the process of setting up an appointment for a medical Oncologist.  My guess based on my conversation with the radiation Oncologist, is that a short treatment of chemo will be suggested.  She also suggested getting a feeding tube sooner rather than later (e.g., patients do better if they do not wait too long). I have thought about getting a second opinion, being this is a small cancer center in Maine.  However, both Oncologists have a lot of experience, the IMRT machine is only a few years old, and they are affiliated with Dana Farber.  Since the treatment is based on the results of the biopsy, I did request that another lab look at it.  The fact the surgeon, who is also very experienced, did not think it looked like a typical cancer concerned me.  Simple Gifts Tue, 30 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT You may want to check with Dr Ken Hu  and Dr Mark Urken at Beth Israel in NY.  If you are having surgery I would certainly go to NY.  I had tonsil that spred to the lymph nodes and was treated by them.  All they treat are head and neck cancers.  Feel free to call me at 732-687-3518.  All the best. Rob J. Robroaster Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT Stage 4 tonsil cancer survivor here (T2 N2 Mx) and I totally agree with Rob!!!!Ron Cavman Mon, 05 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hello, i was reading ur response to someone's question & couldn't help but notice you are so fluent in the terms of stages & t's & etc. // do u have any suggestions on where i can find more info (like a website) on how i can classify & better understnd the exact type of cancer my mom has. I know it's squamous cell & it's stage 4 but i don't knw 'bout all the other stuff u were talking about in ur message. All this reading has been unimaginable helpful- thanx.. Liza    support system 4 mom Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT Liza,A good place to find detailed info on staging is www.oralcancerfoundation.orgGood Luck,Rob  Robroaster Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT Liza, www.oralcancerfoundation.org has great info on staging.Good luck,Rob  Robroaster Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT