Last Wednesday we got the official report that Jack's cancer is back. We were sure before the biopsy that this would be the news. A PET scan doesn't show that much new flashing since the one 2 months before unless it's a malignancy. I think they could have skipped the biopsy. They started him that same day on chemo with carboplatin and taxol.

After the first diagnosis he had surgery and radiation. After the second, he had only surgery. After the third he had chemo and radiation. I wonder how much more they can do.

He is pretty uncomfortable now because of all the swelling. He can hardly move his head or hold it up. The new tumor is in the neck between the jaw and his trach. It's about the size of my finger.

I have been trying to do some reading in the Oral Cancer in the News section. A few things from the ASCO meeting in Orlando seem promising. I want to check on some clinical trials too. We have heard from several sources that Erbitux might be the drug to try. Has anyone been in a trial with it?

Thanks for all the advise you have. You guys keep me sane. I know I have to try to be focused and clear headed. It is hard to know though what I need to ask his oncologist.

Lowanne

hey Lowanne,

best wishes to Jack that the chemo will be effective. You are certainly a source of strength and love for him. we cancer folks really appreciate that.

cu,
larryb

I am so sorry to hear that there is yet another recurrence. You and your husband are in my prayers. I completed a Phase II Clinical Trial with Erbitux on April 18 titled "Randomized Trial of Surgery followed by Chemoradiotherapy plus C225 (Cetuximab) for Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck." If surgery is contemplated followed by chemo/radiation then your husband is a potential candidate for this trial I believe. I found the side effects of Erbitux to be quite tolerable.

Dear Lowanne & Jack,

I am sorry to hear of another reoccurrance of this bastard of a diaease!! It really ticks me off.
When I had my first reoccurrance last June I started on Carboplatin & Taxol, Six months later there was nothing that showed up in my lungs that was there in June. The tonsil area remained unchanged. This was good news for me. I'm hoping Jack has the same good news after his chemo.

I and many other members will be pulling for him.

Best Wishes, Danny Boy

We went for another round of chemo yesterday. On the way into the treatment room he had to grab a chair to catch himself. They sent us home...too sick to treat. He says it isn't a feeling of dizziness, but that he feels weak like his legs are going to collapse under him. This has happened about twice at home this week too. I have a feeling the new tumor is pressing on something like the carotid artery. How will this thing shrink without the chemo?

I doubt if he is a candidate for more surgery. It might be that the new tumor is out of a previous radiation field. The IMRT is supposed to be so darn precise. The area with the tumor should be close to where they did the radiation from October to December. It's hard to believe any cancer cells could have survived in this vacinity.

Thanks for the good thoughts. We're sure open to suggestions about going forth with treatment.

Lowanne