#15426 05-13-2004 12:48 PM | Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 3 Member | | Member
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 3 | My name is Jay, I'm 34 years old and I was diagnosed with SCC on left side of tongue Jan. 2003. I had a partial glossectomy with clean margins Feb. 2003.
I have never smoked, chewed or consumed alcohol heavily.
My doc counseled against radiation for fear of crossing that bridge too early. Now, after one of my 3 month observations, I am hurrying back to the doc with what I believe to be a new tumor in the same location and a sore throat.
Somehow I thought(hoped) I could "cut and run" away from this.
I now plan to seek a second opinion something I didn't do initially.
I will say this, after 3 weeks of swishing and drinking 4-6 cups of green tea a day, a patch of leukoplakia has shrunk tremendously. What I believe to be the tumor is more or less unchanged.
The tea has given me at least a small feeling I can fight back.
I hope this finds you well.
Jay | | |
#15427 05-13-2004 01:10 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Think positive Jay - it might just be thrush! The sore throat could be related to that also.
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#15428 05-13-2004 02:58 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Welcome to the club no wants to join Jay. I hope your concerns turn out to be nothing serious. Almost everyone who goes thru radiation gets thrush. It's natural to think every sore or pain in the surgical area is bad news, Most of the time it's not. Heed Gary's advice and try and stay positive.
Good Luck, Dan
Daniel Bogan DX 7/16/03 Right tonsil,SCC T4NOMO. right side neck disection, IMRT Radiation x 33.
Recurrance in June 05 in right tonsil area. Now receiving palliative chemo (Erbitux) starting 3/9/06
Our good friend and loved member of the forum has passed away RIP Dannyboy 7-16-2006
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#15429 05-13-2004 03:00 PM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 62 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 62 | Jay, I agree with Gary. Remain positive and continue with the green tea......after all it can't hurt.
David | | |
#15430 05-13-2004 03:40 PM | Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 3 Member | | Member
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 3 | Thanks guys,
Thing is, I haven't had radiation. This seems like oral cancer symptoms found in throat.
I'll let you know tomorrow.
Jay | | |
#15431 05-13-2004 09:42 PM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | Hi
Jay try and stay positive.. lets us know as soon as you can... Prayers and hugs
Helen
SCC Base of tongue, (TISN0M0) laser surgery, 10/01 and 05/03 no clear margins. Radial free flap graft to tonsil pillar, partial glossectomy, left neck dissection 08/04
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#15432 05-14-2004 01:39 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 | Jay,
It sounds from your original message as though you've been seeing one doctor thus far. One of the things you can find over and over on this site is that people highly recommend getting a comprehensive and balanced review of their case by an experienced team representing various specialties (surgery, radiation, chemo).
Based on personal experience, I have to advocate that approach. Early on when I was having symptoms, I had conversations with several individual doctors (not oncology specialists) who thought the sore on my tongue was -- at worst -- a benign tumor that could be easily removed. (I also am a lifelong non-smoker and was diagnosed at age 39.) It was only when a team of oncology doctors looked thoroughly at the biopsy results that I received a full and accurate diagnosis and a strong recommendation of both surgery and radiation.
Obviously, I can't tell you what the right course of treatment is for you, but please be sure to get your advice from a team at a major cancer center.
Cathy
Tongue SCC (T2M0N0), poorly differentiated, diagnosed 3/89, partial glossectomy and neck dissection 4/89, radiation from early June to late August 1989
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#15433 05-14-2004 03:19 AM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 417 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 417 | Jay: No one can point a finger and say Smoking caused your cancer or eating too much sugar caused your cancer. We know that tobacco is a potential carcinogen. But, we are subjected to thousands of potential carcinogens daily. I was a smoker and always said I would never quit, I enjoyed it too much. But, while in treatment, I got up one day and just did not have a taste for cigarettes. Economically it is a blessing, I never realized how much money was going up in smoke.
Doctors and second opinions,,, It is you right to get as many opinions as you require to feel satisfied. If a doctor has a problem with that then you were definately right to seek another opinion
Darrell
Stage 3, T3,N1,M0,SCC, Base of Tongue. No Surgery, Radiationx39, Chemo, Taxol & Carboplatin Weekly 8 Treatments 2004. Age 60. Recurrence 2/06, SCC, Chest & Neck (Sub clavean), Remission 8/06. Recurrence SCC 12/10/06 Chest.
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#15434 05-14-2004 04:49 AM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Jay,
Welcome! Just remember, it aint cancer until they can prove it through a biopsy. I know it is easier to say this than to live it. Every little thing in my neck or throat worrys the heck out of me, too. Seek out the answers.
I used to spend a bit of time in Louisville around Butchertown when we bought the old Armor Pork Plant. I really loved staying at the Gault House (the old section).
I am also a green tea connoisseur. My father is a pharmacist and his organic chemistry professor wrote a book about green tea that was very informative. I have found the absolute best Japanese green tea in the world. As a matter of fact, I order it here in the US and ship it to relatives in Japan. They live about 200 miles from where it is grown and can not buy it there. My uncles tell me I am very famous in Japan because I have brought the best tea. What a hoot!
Wishing you the best on your discovery mission!
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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#15435 05-14-2004 06:39 AM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 116 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 116 | Other Opinions help. My surgeon just said to do surgery, the same Hospital Oncologist said Radiation, I went to another Hospital and luckily they had a team (surgureon, oncologist, dentist) and they said all said radiation. So 2 or three opinions swayed me to radiation. After I learned more about this disease. Am I glad I went radiation to reduce the spread chances!!!!!
SCC R-Tonsil T2 NO MO Dec 2003. Completed IMRT Radiation only to tonsils(72Gy) and neck(55Gy)March 04. Detected at age 50.
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