#26469 06-08-2004 01:41 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 207 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | OP  Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 207 | Does anyone know what "extra capsular spread" means? My ENT looked at my path reports following Friday's radical neck dissection and said there was one node involved only (out of more than 30 he took out). He mentioned extra capsular spread, and I didn't think to follow up with a question on what that meant until after I hung up with him.
Thanks...
Eric
Tongue cancer (SCC), diagnosed Oct. 2003 (T2 N0 M0). Surgery to remove tumor. IMRT Radiation 30x in Dec 2003 - Jan. 2004. Recurrence lymph node - radical neck dissection June 2004. Second round of rad/chemo treatments ended Sept. 2004.
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#26470 06-08-2004 02:53 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 528 "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 528 | Hi Eric, It refers to whether the tumour mass has penetrated the lymph capsule or not. If it is contained within the capsule that is good because it has been removed surgically, spread from the capsule is not favourable because malignant cells are unrestrained in the system. You are doing well, love from Helen 
RHTonsil SCC Stage IV tx completed May 03
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#26471 06-08-2004 06:14 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 207 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | OP Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 207 | I'm a little confused by your response, helen... I think he said I did have extra capsular spread, so I guess that's not such good news... but then he said it was only in one node, so maybe he meant there wasn't... I'll definitely have to follow up...
Tongue cancer (SCC), diagnosed Oct. 2003 (T2 N0 M0). Surgery to remove tumor. IMRT Radiation 30x in Dec 2003 - Jan. 2004. Recurrence lymph node - radical neck dissection June 2004. Second round of rad/chemo treatments ended Sept. 2004.
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#26472 06-08-2004 06:16 PM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | Hello Eric, I believe Helen is correct, It means the cancer was looking for a new home. I suggest you not let that get you down. I had the same report on one of my nodes also. Just keep doing what they tell you and stay well.
PS I have considered the thought that puncturing the "node capsule" (as in biopsy needle) might cause that kind of pathology report as well.
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
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#26473 06-09-2004 08:17 AM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 207 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | OP Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 207 | Thanks Mark -- that makes sense now... I guess I should be glad that while it was looking for a new home, it hadn't yet found one... I would assume the big issue now is "micro mets"... the oncologist today mentioned chemo as a way to attack that possibility... never a dull moment, eh?
Tongue cancer (SCC), diagnosed Oct. 2003 (T2 N0 M0). Surgery to remove tumor. IMRT Radiation 30x in Dec 2003 - Jan. 2004. Recurrence lymph node - radical neck dissection June 2004. Second round of rad/chemo treatments ended Sept. 2004.
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