Has anyone out there had induction therapy (chemo combination of Cisplatin, 5FU, and Toxotere and radiation to follow)? I just would like some feedback on it if you can help. Thank you.

Hi T&T

I went the induction, surgery and radiation route, same drugs. Very successfully I may add! How can I help?

Kevin

Can you tell me how many rounds of chemo? My husband had surgery to remove the tumor on 8/13 and it was biopsied at that time. They are going to do 2-3 rounds of chemo (starting tomorrow) 5 days a piece with the toxotere brought home in a drip and 21 days in between rounds. He will start the radiation after the rounds of chemo are completed. Does this sound like the same regimen? Can you tell me what to expect and give us any tips that are helpful? Thanks so much.

Terry,

It would be most helpful if you gave us more details about his diagnosis. You can do it once in a reply or update your Signature Line like most of us have done and then it will follow every post you make.

David,

Is this enough detail? I'm not familiar with a lot of your abbreviations. Thanks!

Terry

Terry- My husband lost all his hair from the Taxotere and was nauseated in the beginning but it soon disappeared. He also had irritation in his mouth and very dry skin.

Sue

[quote=terryandtroy]Can you tell me how many rounds of chemo? My husband had surgery to remove the tumor on 8/13 and it was biopsied at that time. They are going to do 2-3 rounds of chemo (starting tomorrow) 5 days a piece with the toxotere brought home in a drip and 21 days in between rounds. He will start the radiation after the rounds of chemo are completed. Does this sound like the same regimen? Can you tell me what to expect and give us any tips that are helpful? Thanks so much. [/quote]

Hi guys

I started with chemo, then on to surgery, finishing up with the RAD's (what one here affectionately tagged it as the poison, slash, burn therapy). I wore the 5FU pump for the week I was "on the bag". They had me on 3 separate anti-nausea meds and I did fine. Kept my appetite all thru chemo. I did loose all of my hair but that didn't bother me, I needed a new deaux

Tips:

If one set of anti-nausea isn't working, ask for a switch, or ask for more.
Keep hydrated, drink LOTS of water, especially during the radiation treatments to follow.
Keep the calorie count UP. 3000/day is a fair target. Get as much protein as possible.
Before the Radiation treatment starts, get a PEG tube. I think this helped me more than almost anything else I did.
Ask questions, either here in the forum or to the medical staff. If you do not completely understand, ask again.

Kevin

Terry,

Where is his primary and I'm assuming nodal involvement. One side or both? Any surgery planned? Boy 35 is a lot younger than I'm used to seeing with HPV+ SCC. Where is he being treated? I think you are doing fine in the abbreviation category but here's a complete list FYI:

Acronyms:
BaCC = Basil Cell Carcinoma
Biopsy = tissue sample removed for microscopic examination
BOT = Base of tongue
Brachytherapy = Radiation therapy with internal radioactive �seeds�
CAT = Computed Axial Tomography (scan)
CCC = Cancer Care Center
CT = Computed (computer) Tomography (scan)
Dives = treatments in a HBO unit
DX = Diagnosis
ENT = Ear Nose and Throat Doctor and surgeon
FNA = Fine Needle Aspiration � (Needle Biopsy)
HBO(T) = Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments
HIPAA = Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
HN = Head and neck
HNC = Head and Neck Cancer
HPV = Human Papilloma Virus
IMRT = Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy
Met(s) = Metastasis or cancer spread
MRI = Magnetic Resonance Imaging (scan)
NCCN = National Comprehensive Cancer Network
PCP = Primary Care Physician
PEG = Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastronomy (G tube or tube) Feeding
PET = Positron Emission Tomography (scan)
PT = Physical Therapist
QOL = Quality Of Life
RND = Radical Neck Dissection (sometimes Resection) also Modified
RO = Radiation Oncologist
RT = Radiation Therapy also Radiotherapy (Radio)
RX = Prescription or treatment
SCC(a) = Squamous Cell Carcinoma also SqCCA and sq cell ca
TX = Treatment
Xerostomia = low saliva
XRT = X ray Radiation Therapy
_________________________

David,

I updated my signature some more. Thanks for the acronyms. Yes, my husband is young. I'm 40 and we have a 14 month old and a 4 year old. Our life has been thrown into a tailspin. We moved from NY to GA in 5/07. Right before we left, he had the lump in his neck checked out in Syracuse. They treated it like a sinus infection and gave him an antibiotic. They told him to get it checked out in a few months in GA if it didn't go away. Needless to say, we got wrapped up in moving, having a new baby, new position at a new office for my husband, me leaving my job and becoming a stay-at-home Mom, etc. and the lump never came about again until July of this year.

So they did a neck dissection?

Where is he being treated?

How large was the positive node?

They did the neck dissection at Emory Adventist Hospital in Smyrna, GA and biopsied at the same time. There were 2 specimens: 1 involving the node which measured 3.1 x 2.1 x 1.8 cm and the other was from the throat consisting of multiple fragments with the largest measuring 1 cm. The pathologist originally had his dx down as nasopharyngeal, but the oncologist changed his diagnosis (and rec'd confirmation from the Mayo Clinic just yesterday) to oropharyngeal. He is being treated by GA Cancer Specialists (Dr. Bruce Goldsweig) and Radiation Oncology Services (Dr. Laura Allen). They both are at Wellstar Cobb Hospital.

Terry - it sounds like you are feeling OK with the treatment plan and doctors, but have you thought about getting a second opinion at a comprehensive cancer center (Emory University is one place in Alanta), just to make sure they agree with the treatment, etc?

Our doctors sent all the reports to the Mayo Clinic for a second opinion. We are in the process of getting one from the eCleveland Clinic as well.

Sounds like you are being very proactive and that's a good thing. Don't be afraid to question anything and make sure the answer makes sense to you. If it doesn't say, please explain.

I had the exact treatment at University of Chicago 5 years ago.

Nothing really to induction as I recall. Just two IV's on Thursdays. Took about 4 hours. I did not get sick but my hair fell out. I had a bad reaction to the Taxol as well. I remember being upset because they were talking about stopping induction and I really wanted to go all the way through if you know what I mean.

Anyway they gave me steroids and the reactions stopped. So, it all worked out.

Overall, the treatment was a little on the rough side towards the end, but a small price to pay for 5 more years with my wife and kids:)

Good luck. Fight Fight Fight.

Drop me a line if you need anything.


Robert Hamilton & Family