| | Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 23 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 23 | Ive explained my symptoms in Introduce Yourself. Not sure if i need to again. Hopefully not. Ill start with my question and ask me for clarification if needed.
I have a mass on the base of my tongue. A biopsy is scheduled for the 24th.
My throat is very sore and swollen. The other night i woke up having trouble breathing because my throat was so swollen. Since i dont have a diagnosis yet im just wondering if this is likely related. If the mass & swollen glands could be related.
Im so nervous. I just want to be prepared. The ENT could not locate the mass that is clearly visible on the MRI & the cat scan in his office. Im also wondering if that is common. Has anyone else had it show up on tests but it cant be found in the office & still end up with a bad result? | | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 | My two ENT's could not feel or see any tumor with the flex scope, but was on the CT, PET/CT. They knew it was cancer from the FBAB. HPV related HNSCC does not have the the usual signs that smoking related cancer does like leukoplakia, and such transforming to cancer. Your symptoms could be related or just an increased mindset to this area, and note every breath, swallow.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 | Our ENT also did not find Kris's BOT tumour on the endoscope. This reassured me . However there it was on the MRI. The ENT then rescoped Kris and was able to show us the break through ulcer on the BOT.
The rest is history.
Tammy
Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Are you taking anything for the pain?
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | 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 | Robin marie... Absolutely - the mass and swollen glands are Likely related. Usually that is how BOT cancer is discovered. Since it is generally painless, people notice swollen nodes first. Hugs and good luck with your biopsy. There are many other things that can cause swollen nodes. hugs
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: 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 | Robin marie... Absolutely - the mass and swollen glands are Likely related. Usually that is how BOT cancer is discovered. Since it is generally painless, people notice swollen nodes first. Hugs and good luck with your biopsy. There are many other things that can cause swollen nodes. hugs
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: Jun 2013 Posts: 23 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 23 | Ok. Ill sure be happy once the biopsy has been completed.
Ive never smoked and only casual drinker. Im hopeful but very nervous.
Im taking muscle relaxers at night to help me relax. This was originally prescribed for my neck pain. They dont really help much with the soreness in my neck but does relax me a bit.
Thank you all. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 23 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 23 | | | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 | Fine needle aspirational biopsy. It's pretty accurate, like 98% in some cases, or more, usually done with ultra sound guidance, and had about 6 of them on my lymph nodes to diagnose cancer. Anytime I found a lump, I went to the pathologist to have it done, but some ENT's doing it too, but the pathologist can take the sample slide, and view it under a microscope, and can tell if its cancerous or not, but they still send it our for further pathology, confirmation.
Waiting is the worst. Good luck,
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 23 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 23 | Ok. That makes since. Thanks | | |
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