| | 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 | Just based upon what you are able to tell us about his Dx I would strongly recommend he do exactly what his docs are recommending.
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: Jun 2011 Posts: 9 Member | | Member
Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 9 | Need help staging scc question,
I have scc, gum cancer that penetrated the mandible, my doctor says I'm T4N0M0, does that mean I'm stage IV cancer? I already had mandible replaced in June 2011 with free fibula flap and neck dissection. I had 75 lymp nodes on one side of neck all negative. Dr Lewis at MD Anderson said that was the most lymp nodes she had ever seen on one side. Lol
Debra 57 y/o female,
5-2-11 dig. Scc well diff invasive gum cancer
5-17-11 consult MD Anderson
6-15-11 mandibulectomy, w/fibula free flap, rem all teeth, neck diss removal 75 nodes one side, IRMTx30, 1.2cm submucosal tumor invading tooth socket. cT4N0M0 (IVb)
1-24-12 clear CT scans to date
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 9 Member | | Member
Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 9 | I need info from our experts on here about how to figure out my stage of cancer.
Dr. Lewis at MD Anderson said I'm T4N0M0, does that mean I'm stage IV? Thanks to you all
Debra 57 y/o female,
5-2-11 dig. Scc well diff invasive gum cancer
5-17-11 consult MD Anderson
6-15-11 mandibulectomy, w/fibula free flap, rem all teeth, neck diss removal 75 nodes one side, IRMTx30, 1.2cm submucosal tumor invading tooth socket. cT4N0M0 (IVb)
1-24-12 clear CT scans to date
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | it is stage IV my dear. The good news is no node involvement (N0) and no distant mets (M0). You are in good hands at MDA and on these forums for support.
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 9 Member | | Member
Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 9 | Thank you so much for the replies. I am a regular on the oc forums but just now figured out how to do signature. Lol. You all have excellent info on here. It's been 7 months since my surgery guess this is going to be an ongoing thing by everyone's comments. I pray to my God and I'm happy for how ever many days I have here on earth. The cancer has made me prioritize my life, which I understand goes along with a cancer diagnosis. I've decided to spend whatever days I have here enjoying my life with my family and friends and helping others.
Debra 57 y/o female,
5-2-11 dig. Scc well diff invasive gum cancer
5-17-11 consult MD Anderson
6-15-11 mandibulectomy, w/fibula free flap, rem all teeth, neck diss removal 75 nodes one side, IRMTx30, 1.2cm submucosal tumor invading tooth socket. cT4N0M0 (IVb)
1-24-12 clear CT scans to date
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 9 Member | | Member
Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 9 | Sounds like I have very similar to what you have. Mine also lower right molar cancer. In Jan 2011 went to dentist with loose molar and pain, said it was tooth abcess and pulled tooth. Pain still there went back multiple times with the pain. Dentist decided I needed teeth cleaning 700 dollars later still had pain and socket not healed. When I pushed on socket white puss came out. Continued in pain two more times to dentist and felt like I had food down in socket so dentist cut open the incision (2 separate times a week apart) which opening it up twice was probably not a good thing. So first noticed pain January 2011 and it took my dentist till end of April of 2011 for dentist to send me for biopsy. Finally diagnosed may 2 and may 17 I was consulting with MD Anderson.
Debra 57 y/o female,
5-2-11 dig. Scc well diff invasive gum cancer
5-17-11 consult MD Anderson
6-15-11 mandibulectomy, w/fibula free flap, rem all teeth, neck diss removal 75 nodes one side, IRMTx30, 1.2cm submucosal tumor invading tooth socket. cT4N0M0 (IVb)
1-24-12 clear CT scans to date
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | Debra, very similar story on my end. Went to dentist in Sep. 07 to get my wisdom teeth pulled as I thought they were the cause of the pain. Dentist failed to identify large lesion as he thought it was caused by the wisdom teeth. Went back due to pain and complications in Jan. 08 which is when I was sent to an Oral Surgeon who identified it as possible cancer, then confirmed with a biopsy at an ENT. Been a wild ride that's for sure. You've come to many of the conclusions I have, I actually write a blog on these forums you may relate to. Check it out if you have the time. http://oralcancersupport.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=135745I'm glad you found us here my dear, it really is the best place for info and support.
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | Debra Here is a link to the OCF main web page that spells out all the staging definitions OCF-staging explanation If you have a slow internet connection: here is an excerpt [quote]T4 (Oral cavity) Tumor invades adjacent structures (e.g., through cortical bone, into deep [extrinsic] muscle of tongue, maxillary sinus, skin) N0 No regional lymph node metastasis M0 No distant metastasis Stage IV Any of the following may be true: The cancer has spread to tissues around the lip and oral cavity. The lymph nodes in the area may or may not contain cancer. The cancer is any size and has spread to more than one lymph node on the same side of the neck as the cancer, to lymph nodes on one or both sides of the neck, or to any lymph node that measures more than 6 centimeters (over 2 inches). The cancer has spread to other parts of the body. [/quote] 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
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 | Great job with the signature, Debra! Glad to have you here 
ChristineSCC 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 | | |
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