| | Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 38 "OCF Down Under" Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  "OCF Down Under" Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 38 | 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!
Female 34. Non smoker, casual drinker
Dx July 12 stage 1 scc to left tonsil n0 m0. Hpv + 16 . 7 weeks daily rads finished sept 2012. 3 mth scan - low activity in primary spot hopefly t's just inflam. 2013 Abnormal tissue next base of tongue, came back negative. 5 month scan all clear!!!!! Yayy
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 | 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.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | | 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 | 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!
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  | | | | | Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 38 "OCF Down Under" Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP "OCF Down Under" Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 38 | 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.
Female 34. Non smoker, casual drinker
Dx July 12 stage 1 scc to left tonsil n0 m0. Hpv + 16 . 7 weeks daily rads finished sept 2012. 3 mth scan - low activity in primary spot hopefly t's just inflam. 2013 Abnormal tissue next base of tongue, came back negative. 5 month scan all clear!!!!! Yayy
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 153 "OCF Canuck, across the pond" Senior Member (100+ posts) | | "OCF Canuck, across the pond" Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 153 | 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!
47 yr old male non-smoker, social drinker, fit. Jan'10, Stg3 rt tonsil+rt neck SCC, HPV+, rad+chmo Vancouver Cda. 2yr clear Apr'12 London UK. Apr'13 mets recur to lymph btw left lung & aorta, 3x Cisplatin+5FUchemo+20 rad, was all clear but 6-mo PET-CT shows mets to pleura around left lung, participating in St 1 trial of GDC-0980. GDC lost effect and ended July'14, bad atrial fibrillation requiring hospitalisation, start more standard chemo 10 Sep 2014.
Sadly has passed away, notified Jan 2015.
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