#71185 03-08-2008 02:35 AM | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 148 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP  Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 148 | I think I may be freaking out but as I have just finished my radiation treatments in November I didn't think this was possible. I found a small mass on my gum yesterday. It looks just like what I had before. Please tell me it is not possible for the cancer to show up again this fast. I mean I know I am going to the onocologist Monday but I am totally stressing. I need to hear from my friends here that have gone through all this junk as well. I will keep up here after I see the onocolgist to let you know what he says. But what I want to know is has anyone had a reacurrance (no spell check here sorry) this fast????
49 years young 9/2007 Squamous Cell Carcinoma 33 rad treatments. One year later, 9/17/2008 50 years old through the Grace of God. last check up all clear. Living life as it comes to me.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 | Unfortunately the answer to that is yes,a few have.Sometimes radiotherapy doesn't quite mop everything up,sometimes surgery margins aren't quite as clear as hoped,sometimes post treatment scans pick up a spread or recurrance.Sometimes doctors hope that only one or two of the available three options will work.Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't.Annoying isn't it realising that it is an imperfect science? So how do you cope?
Firstly yell and scream,then ask questions,listen to the advice and move on to the next stage of treatment.I see from your signature that you didn't have surgery or chemo,which is quite unusual,(though i think some people have only had one sort of treatment )and maybe if this is a recurrance you will have to have a different treatment but don't despair just see what the doctors say on monday then come back and talk it over with us
good luck liz
Last edited by Cookey; 03-08-2008 06:21 AM.
Liz in the UK
Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007
Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.
Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 | My husband's cancer came back or should I say reared it's ugly head about 3 months post surgery. He was having chemo and radiation at the time and a positive node popped out in his neck. It almost seemed like overnight. They waited until the treatment was finished and removed it. Clear margins aren't always clear. I wish the doctors would have told us that instead of "we got it all". Sending prayers your way, Sue
cg to husband, 48 Stage 1V head and neck SCC. First surgery 9/07. Radiation and several rounds of chemo followed. Mets to chest and lungs. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Went home to God on February 22, 2009.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | Leprekaun, I'm so sorry you are probably hearing the answer you didn't want to hear. And I'm glad you are seeing your doctor Monday. But also try to remember today it isn't cancer until they say it is. Just two weeks ago I was completely stressed out before seeing my ENT because I had this tiny lump on the outside of my jaw that could be felt under the skin. At first I thought it was some kind of zit but it didn't go away then I got worried. But he told me not to worry--that it didn't feel like it would if it was cancer, and I just had a followup MRI which alaso shows everything being OK. I've also had breast cancer recurrence scares in the last couple of years--to the extent they did another biopsy to be sure. It is SO hard when you have something like that and are worried it's the worst and you just don't know.
So anyway, I can imagine from my own experience how you are feeling, you are in my thoughts, and I will come here hoping to read good news (but will also be there for you if it's bad news)tomorrow.
Nelie
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 67 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 67 | Oh Leprekaun i couldnt believe it when i read this, i do agree with Nelie it isnt cancer until it is, i feel for you, i found a lump under my chin a few days ago it was so scarey turns out it was a blocked node and has sorted its self out but it is scarey.
praying hard for you its just a lump....sending love Debz
Age 40 Diagnosed with stage 4 SCC tongue, sept 07 started 35 radiation treatments and 3 chemo Had my first follow up PET - got the all clear 17th April 2008.
26th Had my PEG tube removed...eating almost everything. Was hard but learned to eat without saliva, it's so good to chew and swallow food!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 148 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 148 | Thank you all for your support. I Am concerned to the max but as you said, it ain't cancer til the Dr says its cancer. I will see him in the morning so cross your fingers that he says to stop sweating it!!!
49 years young 9/2007 Squamous Cell Carcinoma 33 rad treatments. One year later, 9/17/2008 50 years old through the Grace of God. last check up all clear. Living life as it comes to me.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 64 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 64 | hi guys well how is everone. my cancer is back as i thought now i have to have a larengrtomy .im at a stage three .went to new dr in kansas city just finished my txs in aug chemo and rad. im so scared please help me get through this
Lolita - Stage 1, no node involvement, no distant mets. 6 weeks of radiation plus 6 chemo treatments, one each week.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 | Oh lolita i am so sorry.This is devastating news for you.
Lets hope the surgery does it for you and we will all be here to help you through
love liz
Liz in the UK
Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007
Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.
Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 211 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 211 | I am so sorry to hear about your recurrence, Lolita. That is the devastating news that we all dread. We will be here to help you get through this.
love, Sophie
Sophie T.
CG to husband: SCC Stage 4, T4, N1, M0; non-smoker and very light social drinker; HPV+
induction chemo begun 7/07; chemo/radiation ended 10/10, first cat scan clear; scan on 5/9/08 clear, scan on 10/08 clear; scan 1/09 clear; scan 1/10 clear; passed away July 2, 2016
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 148 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 148 | Hello, I told you I would report what happened today. So here goes. I called my Rda Dr and told them that I insist that something has to be done about checking the lum on my throat and the spot on my gum. I told them I just finished the 33 rad treatments and that I think I have every right to be paranoid and I need a piece of mind. If they can't see me then send me to some one who will. Point blank I have to know!! If it is cancer again I need to know if it isn't I have to know. I am getting to the point that if I don't get ansewrs now I will simply give up and let the state bury me so lets get this balll on the roll. Sounds mean I know but cancer runs so deeply in my family they have to understand the paranoia that I am going throuhg. So as I learn more I will post it. Thanks for your support I do love this web site because I don't have to be strong and hide my fears and woes from my family here. Its comforting talking to people in my same oat. Even though I realize most have a rougher line to follow then mine you are all wonderful. Thanks you so much, Brenda
49 years young 9/2007 Squamous Cell Carcinoma 33 rad treatments. One year later, 9/17/2008 50 years old through the Grace of God. last check up all clear. Living life as it comes to me.
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