Hi,
I have not been back for a while. I'm now about 1 year and a half post treatment. Busy with my three babies and working full time!! Loving life xx. I hope everyone here is doing ok and always are in my thoughts and prayers although I don't jump on here often as it triggers anxiety beyond belief. I've recently started on some anti anxiety meds to take the edge off my constant worrying . It's helped a little bit and hopefully I'll only need to take shirt term.
I have a question. I have had a sore lower back for about 4 months now, sometimes it feels a but better then other times it's sore. My dr has ordered an X-ray then pet scan if that shows nothing. Can tonsil cancer met to lower spine? I'm really worried it may have. I can't really find anything on spine mets through the archives so hoping that means it'd be rare!

Cancer can go anywhere, but it usually follows a certain path depending on the type of cancer. Tonsil cancer can spread to nearby structures, including bone, spread through the lymph system, blood, vein, and nerve line too, so I can't say it's not impossible, but probably not probable just in the lower back without other cancer infiltration first.

It does sound like cancer anxiety, but can be another medical symptom, and you did the right thing to see your doctor, he or she ordering a PET scan. I've had back trouble for 30 years, which different type things can aggravate it, including not being active, stress, even medications can cause spasms like when I would get epogen shots, and last May it was due to kidney stones, and thought I hurt my back in the gym, and needed laser surgery to blast them.

Good luck with everything.

Yes, unfortunately it could happen. I think I have seen 2, maybe 3 members with this over the years. It is unusual, so try not to worry too much. You are on top of it and doing everything you can.

Dont rule out a bladder or kidney infection. They can give a symptom like what you described. It doesnt always come with a fever and other symptoms either, so you may want to ask your family doc to check this for you.

Wishing you all the best with everything!

Thanks Paul and Christine. I had a lumbar spine plain X-ray today as the first port of call and all came back ok so I'm guessing now next step is get my referral for a PET when I see my ENT middle of next week.

FWIW my tonsil SCC spread to my lymph system between my left lung and heart, and then to the pleural lining around my left lung and a spot down on my colon, that last surprised my medicos, but all confirmed as the same SCC crap (ha ha, get it?).

I'm in a drug trial (GDC-0980) and seem 'stable', may know more about if this is helping or not in about a week.

Chin up!