#37433 06-03-2004 05:44 AM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 207 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | OP  Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 207 | Hello folks, Eric here...
Just wondering what people's experiences have been with an "excision" biopsy -- i.e. where they take a whole lymph node out and check it for cancer. I am scheduled to have one tomorrow afternoon in Flagstaff.
A few weeks ago something "suspicious" showed up on a PET scan and MRI in a lymph node in my neck (on the same side as my original tongue cancer). A needle biopsy came back negative for cancer (good news indeed) but my doctor didn't feel he had enough evidence to pronounce this a total "false positive."
I, of course, am fine with his proactive approach, but am curious to know how a post-radiated neck will react to this type of procedure. I have not had the neck dissection done (yet), just surgery on my tongue, followed by 30 IMRT treatments (which apparently did NOT cover this node in question for some reason)...
As you can imagine, I'm nervous as heck. I'm either going to wake up after a short nap tomorrow with the news that no cancer could be found (off the hook for awhile longer). Or I'm going to wake up after a long nap the proud new owner of a radical neck dissection. It's pretty weird being in this limbo. Overall, my body feels fine, though my neck is still stiff and sore (and tender from the needle biopsy -- they took three samples, digging deep on that last one)...
I can't say as much for my nerves, which have been through the ringer the past few weeks (see my post "PET Scan tomorrow" under After Treatment Issues for the play-by-play)... Some nights I sleep like a baby. Others I'm up all night, tossing and turning (and thinking WAY too much)...
Well, thanks for letting me "extrovert" a bit. My wife laughs at me that I have to always talk things out. It helps soothe the nerves... My prayers continue to remain with all of you who are fighting such courageous battles... Thanks for your inspiration...
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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#37434 06-03-2004 06:38 AM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | I don't know anything about excision biopsy but I will be thinking about you and praying for you tomorrow.
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#37435 06-03-2004 07:01 AM | Joined: May 2004 Posts: 137 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: May 2004 Posts: 137 | Eric, I feel so helpless here not to know the answer to your question. But I would talk to my doctor before he did anything to me and make sure that I understood it all before I had a thing done to me.. Other than that, I wish you the very very best, and I will pray that this is a false alarm. Vicki | | |
#37436 06-03-2004 07:14 AM | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Eric,
The first time I had cancer, I was dianosed by having the lymph node in my neck surgically removed and biopsied on the spot. This is what I think you are having. More accurate than a needle biopsy and you get the results immediately. I had no known primary. Neck dissection done a week later.
I also had a second neck dissection on the other side on irradiated skin, but it was done four years later. Doctor's were amazed that it went so well.
Here's hoping for negative results and we'll all be praying for you tomorrow.
Take care,
Eileen
----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
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#37437 06-03-2004 08:44 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | Hi Eric
Get it out.. get it biopsied.. then you'll know.. it's the waiting that's the worse.. I'll be rooting for you..
prayers... love and hugs
Helen
SCC Base of tongue, (TISN0M0) laser surgery, 10/01 and 05/03 no clear margins. Radial free flap graft to tonsil pillar, partial glossectomy, left neck dissection 08/04
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#37438 06-03-2004 09:05 AM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Eric,
I had this type of biopsy but it was before radiation. I will be praying for you and hoping for nothing but the best.
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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#37439 06-03-2004 11:43 AM | 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 | Hello Eric I had an neck lymph excision biopsy after a needle biopsy was positive but didn't give enough information regarding the location of the primary. It gave a lot more information and was followed by a radical neck dissection and radiation later. I hope the result is negative for you. With love from Helen 
RHTonsil SCC Stage IV tx completed May 03
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#37440 06-03-2004 12:04 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 207 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | OP Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 207 | As a followup (thanks for all the responses by the way), has anyone had to go through radiation twice? The docs said this node was found outside of the original IMRT radiation field (but it can't be by much!) so I would be eligible for a second round of radiation if in fact this is more cancer... That sounds about as fun as being run over by a truck, but he considers that a positive development over it being recurrent cancer in an area already radiated... It's a good thing I didn't run over MY mask with an SUV like others have suggested... 
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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#37441 06-03-2004 03:23 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Eric,
With the needle biospy negative it sure sounds like it will be good news. Just wanted you to know I'm praying for a great report.
I had a total neck disection and it wasn't so bad. Hoping yours will be a minor blip in your life. Keep us posted, We love to hear GOOD news.
Your Friend, Dan
Daniel Bogan DX 7/16/03 Right tonsil,SCC T4NOMO. right side neck disection, IMRT Radiation x 33.
Recurrance in June 05 in right tonsil area. Now receiving palliative chemo (Erbitux) starting 3/9/06
Our good friend and loved member of the forum has passed away RIP Dannyboy 7-16-2006
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#37442 06-03-2004 03:26 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Eric,
If you can't find your mask I'll send you mine. They modeled mine after Brad Pitt!!!! (NOT)
Good Luck my friend, Danny Boy
Daniel Bogan DX 7/16/03 Right tonsil,SCC T4NOMO. right side neck disection, IMRT Radiation x 33.
Recurrance in June 05 in right tonsil area. Now receiving palliative chemo (Erbitux) starting 3/9/06
Our good friend and loved member of the forum has passed away RIP Dannyboy 7-16-2006
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#37443 06-03-2004 03:35 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 207 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | OP Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 207 | Danny Boy -- you are a good man... I look forward to being one of the many who shakes your hand in Vegas in September... Although I don't like to curse, I think you may have coined the unofficial OCF motto -- "We're stubborn sons of bitches" -- in another post...
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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#37444 06-03-2004 04:37 PM | Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 | Good Luck tomorrow Eric, let us know as soon as possible.
Daniel, you make me smile.
Love,
Minnie
SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.
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#37445 06-04-2004 08:39 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 | Eric: Will be praying for a good biopsy report. Its tomorrow now, so I guess you have or are getting the biopsy done. Hope it goes well. As to surgery after radiation, my 35 rad sessions were done 8 weeks before my radical neck dissection and it went very well except for some extra scrapping needed due to an unusually large muscle in the way and the jugular and carotid artery being problems. All in all, though, the radiation caused the surgeon no problems, at least none that he said anything about. Hope this helps to ease your mind.
Also, don't worry too much about that waking up with bad news. The first time they started to do my neck surgery, they stopped in the middle because of a "suspicous" tissue sample from the throat (by my primary site tonsil) that, when I woke up, they didn't know what the report was so they put off the rest of my surgery. Turned out negative (lucky me) and they went ahead and did the full dissection 2 weeks later.
Regards, Kirk Georgia
Stage IV, T1N2aM0, right tonsil primary, Tonsilectomy 11/03, 35 rad/3cisplatin chemo, right neck dissection 1/04 - 5/04.
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#37446 06-04-2004 10:15 AM | Joined: Oct 2016 Posts: 284 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2016 Posts: 284 | Eric,
My prayers are with you today....Hoping for negative results.
Take Care,
Dani
Originally joined OCF on 12/12/03 as DaniO or Danijams
Dani-Mom SCC BOT & floor of mouth surgery-recur then surgery/rads & chemo completed 3/04
surgery 11/06 to remove dead bone & replace jaw w/ leg bone & titanium plate
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