| Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 1 Member | OP Member Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 1 | My mother in law was diagnosed with SCC on the side of her tongue. She is 88 years old and has severe RA. Her ENT initially was going to send her to Vanderbilt in Nashville but then decided he could do the surgery. The tumor is a T3. She had 5 biopsies over the past ten years, all cancer-free until this most recent. There is no suspected lymph node involvement. She is scheduled for surgery on August 9th but is now having second thoughts. She really doesn't believe she will make it out of surgery. The family wonders if she should have gone to Vanderbilt. Given her age and condition we thought the trip would be difficult for her (about 3 hours). What will the post-op be like? Should we go to Vanderbilt? HELP! | | | | Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 262 Gold Member (200+ posts) | Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 262 | Hi Debby, and welcome. I'm so sorry about your mother-in-law's diagnosis. I understand that distance is a factor, especially at 88 and with RA. You would most likely need at least two trips, one for a consult and a second for surgery. The surgeon would want to see her again for post-op but that is something that can be handled locally.
Despite all that, I urge you to seek out the absolutely best care within your reach. The quality of this first round of treatment will dictate your MIL's quality of life from hereon. You need a team that treats this cancer all day long and can give her clean margins but also maintain as much of her swallowing and speech function as possible. If Vanderbilt's your top option locally and and you can make that work for her, it's worth the trip.
Just my 2 cents.....
53 T3N2aM0 HPV+ 5/26/13 discovered painless superball-sized lymph node in neck 6/26/13 DX SCC R palatine tonsil 7/16/13 TORS tonsillectomy & selective ND, mets to 2 nodes 9/3/13 Cisplatin and rads begin, tolerated 1.5 of 3 planned chemo doses 10/16/13 Treatment ends Dec 13 Ulcer appears at surgery site Jan 17 Biopsy -- no cancer! Feb 17 CT/PET Scan lights up tonsil bed & nasal cavity, docs say probably inflammation, don't panic, rescan when ulcer subsides
| | | | Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 262 Gold Member (200+ posts) | Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 262 | p.s. You can ask that the pre-op exam and prep be undertaken the day of consult.
53 T3N2aM0 HPV+ 5/26/13 discovered painless superball-sized lymph node in neck 6/26/13 DX SCC R palatine tonsil 7/16/13 TORS tonsillectomy & selective ND, mets to 2 nodes 9/3/13 Cisplatin and rads begin, tolerated 1.5 of 3 planned chemo doses 10/16/13 Treatment ends Dec 13 Ulcer appears at surgery site Jan 17 Biopsy -- no cancer! Feb 17 CT/PET Scan lights up tonsil bed & nasal cavity, docs say probably inflammation, don't panic, rescan when ulcer subsides
| | | | 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 | Yes I agree - she should be seen at the best possible place available - as a t3 she may have nodes involved on a microscopic level. (Does not show up on a scan) Most ENTs familiar with this cancer will do a selective neck dissection as well to make sure they get it all - which is better than having a surger now and then having to go back in for a neck dissection. Finally this used to be primarily an elderly man's disease - so most CCCs have experience working with with people her age. Take care.
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 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 | At the very least you should obtain a second opinion. I believe Vanderbilt is one of the countrys top hospitals which would be an excellent choice. Remember once she has the surgery the doctor cant undo it. Plus when one doctor operates another doctor may be hesitant to get on board as it is kinda like stepping on the original doctors toes.
Wishing your MIL all the very best with whatever she decides to do. 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 | | |
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