#89029 01-27-2009 05:37 PM | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 24 Member | OP  Member
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 24 | Hello,
I have a question about when cancer metastasizes. We found out that some little lumps on my husband�s chest (just below the traech) came back positive for squamous cells. I know when a person dies of cancer it�s from the cancer they started with, �oral cancer� in my husbands case. But, I am confused when I�m explaining the spread to his skin (or the lymph nodes under the skin) to our friends and family. Does this mean it�s now showing itself as skin cancer? Is it lung cancer if these cells show up in his lungs? What is the correct way to explain this?
We are still having a PETSCAN on February 3rd just to see where else it has spread. I�m grateful for this. It sounds weird but I want to know possibly what to expect.
Thanks.
Tamara (Kyle's wife)
Kyle - 43 years old. Non smoker, casual drinker.
03/07-Tumor removed in tongue, chemo/rad
06/08-Tumor removed in base of mouth, left jaw removed, part of skin on neck - followed w/chemo/rad.
10/08-New tumor already growing.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 104 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 104 | My husband also developed skin metastsis in the last stage of his illness. This was the first indication we had that his cancer had recurred, a CT scan then confirmed it was also in his lungs. His doctor indicated that when it metatasised to the skin the disease was very aggressive and not likely to respond to further treatment. Death followed in 3 weeks time. Palliative symptom treatment was instituted and I was able to care for him at home until his peaceful death.
It is still squamous cell carcinoma as metastsis related to the primary source of oral cancer.
Caregiver to husband Dx. Stage 4 SCC of gingiva with 3 nodes pos. Partial mandiblectomy with bone graft from iliac crest Dec. 2006. IMRT x30, Cisplatin x3. Completed Tx. March 15, 2007. Osteonecrosis & removal of graft & plate Oct. 2007. Recurrence of SCC Dec. 2007. Deceased Jan. 17, 2008.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | Squamous cells are a form of normal skin cells..... Cancers are named for the tissues they impact. Cancer of the squamous cells is SCC, it can be on the surface of your body or in one of the openings of your body, which are all completely lined with squamous cells.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | To add to what Brian just posted, once a cancer has progressed, it ceases to retain the character of it's origin (in this case Squamous layers of skin and other tissues). In other words it can afflict (spread to) all kinds of tissue , bone, brain, lung, liver, etc.
In your husbands case is the skin near a scar from surgery or a drain tube?
Last edited by Mark; 01-28-2009 06:26 AM.
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.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | How did they identify the 2nd cancer?
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 24 Member | | OP Member
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 24 | They did a biopsy of one of the little lumps on his chest. It's about 4 inches away from his traech opening. There are three little bumps in a row. At first we thought they were pimples. He has a little red spot on his neck on the skin they used from his leg. These other spots started out as little red spots then got a little white looking and hard. Not sure if it's another one.
Thanks for your responses.
Kyle - 43 years old. Non smoker, casual drinker.
03/07-Tumor removed in tongue, chemo/rad
06/08-Tumor removed in base of mouth, left jaw removed, part of skin on neck - followed w/chemo/rad.
10/08-New tumor already growing.
| | | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Really dumb question, I hope. I've had preancerous lesions on my feet for years that the dermatologist either freezes or cuts off twice a year. Recently a couple have come back as squamous cell. These can't possibly be related to my oral cancer can they? Are they something to be more concerned about than just having the dermatologist remove them?
Thanks,
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
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | They are not related to your oral cancer, and just cutting them out with clean margins is all that is usually necessary. I get these and basal cell carcinomas on the face all the time. One a year in for the minor removals and freezing of the less dangerous ones.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
| | | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Thanks Brian. That's what I thought bt just wanted to check.
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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