| | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 5 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 5 | 8/8/13
Dentist discovered growth Soft Palet 3mmX3mm 7/16. Referred me to Oral Surg whom did Biopsy 7/24. Results 8/1 SCC of soft Palet. Some clear edges. Oral Surgeon recommended ENT and sent over results and pictures appoint 8/2. ENT recommended Radiation Treatment as he explained throughly cutting into soft palet can impact speech and swallowing. ENT Set up appointments for CAT SCAN on 8/6 and visit with RO on 8/7.
Yes have cancer but feeling a little better as to outlook. CAT Scan shows early Stage 1. Has not spread anywhere NODES are all clear. Had extensive discussion with RO and went over recommended treatment. Potential cure - Good. and what to expect. Treatment would be 5 days a week. for 6-7 weeks
Would like to find out a little more on Radiation Treatment. They gave me booklet from American Cancer Society but still would like to find out more info.
Thanks - this Forum is great with lots of great people.
Bruce F
Bruce F
| | | | | 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 | Bruce,
IMO you need to take the biopsy results and get another opinion from a Comprehensive Cancer Center nearest you. I'm not suggesting that you have been given improper advice but if I were you I would want another opinion from a treatment facility that sees 1000's of people like you every year.
BTW how did they determine that your nodes are all clear? That would be impossible via a CAT scan and even a PET which I don't see you've had.
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: Aug 2013 Posts: 5 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 5 | David - Thanks for the info.
How do I find a Comprehensive Cancer Center near me for a Second Opinion. I live in Lancaster PA.
Thank you for your assistance
Bruce F
Bruce F
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 421 Likes: 1 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 421 Likes: 1 | Hi Bruce, I agree with David.A 2nd opinion at a CCC is prudent. Here's a link to the best in the nation. Top Cancer Centers U of P in Philadelphia is in the top 15 and Johns Hopkins (where I sought treatment) is in Baltimore. Positive thoughts and prayers "T"
57
Cardiac bypass 11/07
Cardiac stents 10/2012
Dx'd 11/30/2012 Tx N2b MO Stage IV HPV+
Palatine Tonsillectomy/Biopsies 12-21-12
Selective Neck Dissection/Lingual Tonsillectomy/biopsies TORS 2/7/13
Emergency Surgery/Bleeding 2/18/13
3/13/2013 30rads/6chemo
Finished Tx 4/24/13
NED Since
| | | | | 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 ditto - firstly most soft palette cancers are surgically excised first, this is because surgery actually has less of a long term impact than radiation then if need be they will radiate. People here who've had palette cancer occasionally have it reconstructed or an orburator placed - I think if its soft palette chances are it can be reconstructed. I would definitely go for a second opinion. 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: 262 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2013 Posts: 262 | Hi Bruce, welcome -- kudos to your dentist for picking up on the growth at this early stage, and to you for all the follow-up you've already orchestrated.
Like you, I'm post-surgery and figuring out the next phase of treatment. Different doctors have offered me widely varying options. Hearing their perspectives really gave me confidence when I found the right docs and right options for me. There are some big controversies in head and neck cancer treatment right now and you'll get the benefit of the latest thinking at major academic centers.
The folks on this board are an amazing resource for info and compassion, you're not alone --
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: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,291 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,291 Likes: 1 | Hey,
Ditto to CherylD. I was thinking surgery would be first option based on what was described. Especially if early Stage 1, then it should be relatively straightforward to cut it out. Radiation is best left to more advanced and complex cases. Of course I could not get past high school chem so seek secondary professional opinions.
Don Male, 57 - Great health except C Dec '12 DX: BOT SCC T2N2bMx, Stage 4a, HPV+, multiple nodes 1 tooth out Jan '13 2nd tooth out Tumor Board -induction TPF (3 cycles), seq CRT 4-6/2013 CRT 70gr 2x35, weekly carbo150 ended 5/29,6/4 All the details, join at http://beatdown.cognacom.com | | | | | 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 | I believe radiation is usually the first course of treatment for all stages of the soft palate, which is part of the oropharynx, and is integral in swallowing, although, based on stage, tumor size, chemo and surgery too. Radiation doesn't impact swallowing as much, and they never know how much is to be removed until the surgeon gets in there. It's always good to get a 2nd opinion. Sometimes it's better to delay radiation Tx cause once its given, it can't be taken back. 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 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 | Bruce, welcome to OCF!
I have sent you a private message (PM) to help you with the forum and adding a signature. Please take a look towards to top of the page next to the My Stuff tab and click on the blinking envelope. Take some time to review the info. It helps us to help you when you have a signature.
Thank you and best wishes with everything!!
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: Aug 2013 Posts: 5 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 5 | Paul you are correct - according to Mayo Clinic Radiation is the number 1 Choice for early treatment.
This is directly from the Mayo Clinic - Because of difficulties in adequate reconstruction, radiation therapy has been the recommended treatment for soft palate cancers. Although advances in reconstructive techniques and prosthetic reconstruction have allowed for more effective surgical resection and rehabilitation for patients with soft palate cancers. Radiation therapy remains the primary treatment modality in many centers.
BruceF
Bruce F
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