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#141718 10-19-2011 09:41 AM
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My 78 year old father was just diagnosed with neck cancer that is staged between a 3 and 4. Apparently it is not just in the area of the neck initially suspected but also one the tongue and one vocal cord is paralyzed. It may also have started to spread to the other side of the head/neck. The Dr. is recommending radiation and chemo and my dad is struggling with what to do. The oncologist won't give a blunt prognosis but does want to start radiation asap. We are trying to gather as much information as possible to make an informed decision. For example, if chemo is not going to significantly expand the quality of his life then my dad needs to decide if he wants to go through it. Any information or experience with this would be appreciated. Thank you.

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Hello Maureen:
Just wanted to let you know I saw your post, and although I don't have any experience with those type cancers, others on this Forum do, and I'm sure you'll be hearing from them soon. I hope your Dad finds some sort of treatment that won't be too hard for him to handle - others have. Although you didn't get a blunt pognosis from the oncologist, you didn't get "there's nothing we can do," so that sounds promising.
julieann


Julieann
Nov 2007 SCC on right tonsil following tonsillectomy. Was smoker, QUIT. (Stage IV T2 N2b) 7 weeks radiation one day/wk chemo (carboplatin and 5-FU). Allergic to Taxol; PEG in, lost 30 lbs. TX completed January 2008. PEG out mid- 2008. PET/CT 1/17/2011;2/3/12 NEGATIVE for cancer smile
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Maureen, I was diganosed with stage 4 oral cancer, which started in my tongue then went into the lymph glands. I had surgery, followed by radiation and chemo. I am over two years out of treatment, now and am doing fine. I was considerably younger than your father when I was diagnosed (64) and was in very good health. The treatment is very rough, and the after effects stay with you for a long time. I still have issues with eating, but I am not sorry that they were aggressive with my treatments. Your father will have to evaluate things very carefully.


Female, nonsmoker, 70, diag. 5/09 after tongue biopsy: stage IV. Left hemi-gloss. and left selec. neck disec. 30 lymph nodes removed May 20. Over 7 weeks daily rads. with three chemo. PEG removed 12/4/09 Am eating mostly soft foods. Back to work 11/09 Retired 4/1/11. 7 clear scans! Port out 9/11. 2/13. It's back: base of tongue, very invasive
surgery involving lifestyle changes. 2/14: Now speaking w/Passey-Muir valve. Considering a swallow study. Grateful to be alive.
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Thank you so much for your replies and I am so pleased that you have completed the treatment and are doing well!!!

Initially my dad was planning to start radiation but it was felt that chemo would not be necessary. The ENT and oncologist have done further studies including the PET and Cat Scan and currently are recommending both radiation and chemo. The Dr. indicated that the surgery would be extremely disfiguring for him and his quality of life would be limited so he has definitely decided against surgical intervention.

Of course I realize that at 78 years old, it should be expected that serious medical issues would arise but I felt like it was a kick in the stomach when we found out all the details today. He has always seemed so vibrant for his age but now reality is setting in for my family.

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As far as quality of life after TX, the advice your father is being given sounds right to me. My personal experience is that the surgery has had the most negative impact on my life.
At any age the radiation is tough enough that for many of us the chemotherapy side effects are somewhat obscured. Stage IV requires aggressive TX. Your father is of an age that he will remember: "In for a nickel, in for a dime" with the radiation alone being the nickel and the added chemo the dime.
You sound like a wonderful daughter
charm


65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin

Passed away 4-29-13
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Have your dad's cancer slides been tested for HPV?

Was/is he a tobacco user?


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.
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Yes David's questions are along the lines of what I was asking - mentally. Those are two important questions! smile and they make a difference with prognosis and the need for surgery! Good luck - Take care!


Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
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Welcome to OCF, Maureen. Im so sorry that you are here for your father. It sounds like he has oral cancer is several locations. It is rare to have it in more that one place at a time but it can happen. I had 2 completely separate spots going on at the same time during my first diagnosis in 2007. Does your father already have a treatment plan all set? Is he being treated at a cancer center? That would be where a whole team will get together and work as a team to treat him.


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
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I don't think he was checked for HBV but he was a smoker (quit is 1983)and was not a drinker. He has had numerous skin cancers over the year.

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My dad is currently being assessed by an ENT, oncologist and dermatologist. We continue to learn more about his cancer location on each visit with yesterday being the first time we were given the staging. The recommended treatment is radiation and chemo. Surgery is not an option because it is in too many different locations and the oncologist indicated that he would "lose half his face/neck and tongue."

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