| Joined: Dec 2016 Posts: 1 Member | OP Member Joined: Dec 2016 Posts: 1 | Hi My partner just had a biopsy and diagnosed SCC of floor of mouth. He had developed a irritation that would not go away a couple months ago. So next is a cat scan to see if it has moved anywhere. Seeing a small town ENT who recommends surgery to start. Then see if she can cut it all out. Told us depending on how much she has to remove may need to do a skin graph from the thigh area.. We feel comfortable with her but wondering if we should get another opinion from a larger city? Thank you | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,275 Likes: 7 Assistant Admin Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Assistant Admin Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,275 Likes: 7 | Welcome to the forum. I am sorry you have to join our group of friends but I know we will all do our best to support you.
If at all possible, do go and get a second opinion at a comprehensive cancer center (or CCC). You and your partner both will benefit from the multi-disciplinary team approach they use at a CCC.
Whatever you decide to do, now is the time to eat all your partner's favorite foods as it will be a while before that will be possible. Don't worry about putting on weight as it is quite likely that any weight gain will be lost in the treatment process.
Gloria She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails... Elizabeth Edwards
Wife to John,dx 10/2012, BOT, HPV+, T3N2MO, RAD 70 gy,Cisplatinx2 , PEG in Dec 6, 2012, dx dvt in both legs after second chemo session, Apr 03/13 NED, July 2013 met to lungs, Phase 1 immunotherapy trial Jan 18/14 to July/14. Taxol/carboplatin July/14. Esophagus re-opened Oct 14. PEG out April 8, 2015. Phase 2 trial of Selinexor April to July 2015. At peace Jan 15, 2016. | | | | 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 | Welcome to OCF! Studies have proved patients fare much better being treated at a large facility that treats hundreds of similar cases every year vs a small local facility that does not treat SCC OC patients often, maybe one or 2 a year. At a CCC (comprehensive cancer center) the team based approach puts all the specialists together to develop a treatment plan, including the patient. Its great you have faith in one ENT but if your partner needs further treatments (or worse has a recurrence) you may not feel the same way. Surgeons cut, thats what they will always recommend and once its gone it can not ever be put back. At the very least please seek out a second opinion at a CCC. Ive included some helpful links below. Best wishes with everything! List of CCCs OCF main pages... Financial Assistance OCF main site --- DIAGNOSIS OCF main site --- TREATMENT 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: 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 | Hello Ekim, I am saddened that you have need of this group but am so pleased that you have found us and reached out for support at this early stage. Please, please, take the advice given above and seek a 2nd opinion at a major CCC. It really is so important and will make a huge difference to your husbands outcome and quality of life. While it may be inconvenient to travel for treatment, it will make a huge difference. Please let us know how you get on. Take care, 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: 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 | Welcome Ekim! You heard from some of the best on this site, and agree it may be worthwhile to have a 2nd opinion at a CCC described. I had my share of treatments locally, and at several CCC. I had great care at all, but when things progressed, only a CCC could help me where I already had gone to at that point, and saved my life.
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
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