| Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Yes, I think that is the Dave Cheryl is referring to. Dave was 20 years old at diagnosis.
The other person, Samantha had just turned 23 when she passed away. Much to young!!!! She left behind a young child who was only 3 years old.
A couple years ago we had a nice young girl from the UK who was only 17 when diagnosed. She sailed right thru treatments. Last I heard, she made a full recovery and is doing great. She was the youngest one on the forum, I also met someone who was diagnosed at 17. His was caused from chewing tobacco. Even younger, I have seen a girl from MT who was first diagnosed at 15, but it was not SCC, hers was a form of childhood type cancer that appeared in her jaw area.
Ive been here for over 5 years and have seen at least 10 members who have been 25 or younger at the time of diagnosis. Most have gotten thru it but sadly a few havent made it. One young girl Stephanie Bradley was such a sweet young girl who went thru all kinds of after effects of her battle with oral cancer. She was another one who sadly passed away, I think she was only about 26 when she died. It breaks my heart seeing patients go thru so much at such a young age. Just goes to show you that oral cancer doesnt discriminate, it hits both young and old, rich or poor and all races and religions. ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 58 "OCF across the pond" Supporting Member (50+ posts) | "OCF across the pond" Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 58 | Yes Christine, all is correct... It seems to be so unfair when such young people die as a result of oral cancer. But what is the reason usually that treatment for them is not successful? Is it because it spreads into lungs which makes things much worse?
25/09/12 - diagnosis: lateral left side tongue moderate SCC (10-15mm) 15/10/12 - operation: partial glossectomy + neck dissection 17/11/12 - operation: excision of the tongue scar (or extensive biopsy) 26 y.o., non-smoker, social drinker
| | | | Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 145 "OCF Down Under" Senior Member (100+ posts) | "OCF Down Under" Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 145 | Hi Sweetz,
There are quite a few with similar cases to yours and around the same age - my wife is one of them.
Will make sure to keep you in our prayers also and best of luck with the ongoing treatment.
6/8/12: Wife 33y/o with no risk dx with Stage IVa SCC L of Tongue(T4aN2bM0) 3/9/12: Induced birth @ 36 weeks - Baby Hunter! 11/9/12: OP - 3/4 Partial Gloss, Radical ND & Tongue Rec. 24/10/12: 33xRad + 7xChemo 7/12/12: Tx complete 21/3/13 & 21/6/13: NED 24/7/13: SCC in Lungs - OP: Lobectomy (VATS) 29/1/14 passed away
| | | | Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 145 "OCF Down Under" Senior Member (100+ posts) | "OCF Down Under" Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 145 | Hi Max,
No one knows the answer to your question but all of the research I have read seem to point to the fact that the cancer formed in younger patients with no risk factors tend to have a more aggressive form of cancer.
Hence it is critical that you use your age as an advantage and go for the full arsenal of treatment available at your disposal to prevent the cancer coming back.
This is because there are a lot of studies that suggest that younger patience who go through the first 2 years without a recurrence tend to continue on staying cancer free for prolonged periods of time (one study showed 30 years, others showed 10-20 years).
Keep at it and I wish everyone going through this journey all the best and our prayers are with you.
6/8/12: Wife 33y/o with no risk dx with Stage IVa SCC L of Tongue(T4aN2bM0) 3/9/12: Induced birth @ 36 weeks - Baby Hunter! 11/9/12: OP - 3/4 Partial Gloss, Radical ND & Tongue Rec. 24/10/12: 33xRad + 7xChemo 7/12/12: Tx complete 21/3/13 & 21/6/13: NED 24/7/13: SCC in Lungs - OP: Lobectomy (VATS) 29/1/14 passed away
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Not one of these young people mentioned who died from OC or medical issues related to OC had any mets to the lungs. Each one was a different case and each one had their own seperate issues.
The questions about why is not anything that anyone here would be able to answer. We are not medical professionals with years of education, training and experience along with each individuals entire medical chart in front of us. There is so much to learn about cancer and why some die while others live, how it randomly appears when some have no known cause, and the big question.... how to cure it. Only thru extensive research will scientists learn enough about cancer and one day have a cure and an answer to those questions. ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | Hi yes you're right not sure why I though he was 18 - but that is the right Dave - he's out living his life too, making people aware. And Christine is also right about the aggressiveness, for some reason - it seems to be more aggressive in younger people - that's why we suggest doing all you can at first dx. Dave's dr must have been good as he caught a spread to the untreated side (opposite side of his tumor) during radiation and added more treatment to hit that side. Samantha - god bless her - she was so young. She eventually died from an infection - the drs had been chasing it around her head for two years. They just couldn't get in front of it. They eventually stopped treatment saying her infections (she had fistulas that wouldn't heal) would kill her before the cancer did. Proactive when dealing with this is far better than reactive. Hugs! So glad you're doing well.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 112 Senior Member (100+ posts) | Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 112 | Hi Sweetz! Our case is almost the same, at the same age! I discovered my Tongue Cancer when I was 29, it means last year. On october 28, 2011 made my biopsy and It didn�t came back cancer. But I was REALLY resilient and went to 3rd second opinion. Made surgery with frozen bipsy and yes, it was cancer. Had the tumor taken of and partial neck dissection. It will be a year in some weeks. Hope you go through this ASAP! Try to be calm. I was exactly like this, in panic. I still have my momments but life Is pretty back to normal. I always make jokes with friends at our age. 50 shades of grey of cancer: lots of feelings, creeps just to look at the 50 shades of grey of the MRI films!
December, 2011 - T1N0M0 SSC Oral Tongue sugery (Dec 07, 2011). Partial glossectomy, primary closure. Selective Neck dissection, all 57 nodes free. 29 at diagnosis, no risk factors at all. No smoking, drinking and HPV negative. Can you explain? I can't.
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