| | Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 7 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 7 | I have been experiencing a sharp pain in my left chest. It is deep and sharp and comes and goes. Im worried that this disease could have spread to my chest or lungs. I just had a CT last month but I think it stopped at my neck. Am I just being overly concerned or should I be worried? Those of you that have had a spread, did you feel pain? Thank you for your help. I'm so glad I found this group.
Stacey
SCC Stage 3 Left Lateral Tongue and lymph nodes December 2013 -HPV (no risk factors)
37 years old at diagnosis
12/2013 Partial Tongue Gloss by local ENT(she said clear margins)
01/2014 2nd Partial Tongue Gloss and left Neck dissection with more disease found by doc at MD A
04/2014 finished 30 Rad Txs
04/2014 Hospitalized for radiation side effect. PICC line for fluids and TPN feedings
06/2014 PICC Line removed
09/2014 NED
| | | | | 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 | I'm no doctor, but to rule out any emergency medical issues, maybe go to your nearest ER, now.
Good luck.
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: 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 | I will assume you have called the doctor about this. Any pain, discomfort or significant changes need to be communicated to the medical team when it happens. This updates your records and allows them to stay on top of your care.
If they are unaware, listen to Paul, please. Pain is the body saying something is wrong.
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
| | | | | 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 | Stacey, cancer doesnt always hurt. Many patients will feel no pain at all. I advise you to go see your doc and find out whats going on, something isnt right. Hopefully its nothing serious and can easily be corrected.
Best wishes!
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 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | In answer to your question. Can this spread to your chest? Yes...
However there could be numerous other things so - I am going to list them,
aspiration pneumonia, regular pneumonia, gas (yup!!!!! believe it or not), depending on location it could also be heart issues. So to follow through on the advice of everyone else. Do go see your dr.
Pneumonia can happen silently without you being aware. Aside from the simple fact that you are likely still somewhat immune compromised, your swallowing from the surgery and radiation is likely off. This can lead to small amounts of stuff, getting into places it's not supposed to... namely your lungs.
Pain is always possible with cancer, but if it is big enough to cause pain chances are it was also likely able to be picked up on a scan.
Phone and ask about the scan immediately - this may ease your mind somewhat.
Also you should have had both a chest CT and head and neck. Clarify with your dr. which you've had. (hopefully both) if it was only your head, considering the fact that you are complaining of chest pain, they should set you up for one immediately. and remember it's scary - but it's not always cancer... hugs and 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
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 286 "OCF Down Under" Gold Member (200+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 286 | Stacey I presume you have a reason to believe this is not a heart attack? Chest pain is not something you should muck about with. If there is any doubt as to the cause of chest pain, you should call an ambulance.
Cheers, Dave (OzMojo) 19Feb2014 Diagnosed T2N2bM0 P16+ve SCC Tonsil. 31Mar2014 2 Cisplatin, 70gy over 7 weeks (completed 16May2014) 11August2014 PET/CT clear. 17July2019 5 years NED.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 | Also, those with cancer / recent cancer are at risk of blood clots. You could well have a pulmonary embolus - a clot in the lung vasculature. This is usually sharp and sudden and occurs on inspiration when you take a breath. Some experience shortness of breath with this, however, some do not.This is all very good reason to be checked out.
Hope all turns out to be nothing, but best to get anything unusual checked out.
Tammy
Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 7 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 7 | Thanks everybody. I'm still here. I'm fairly certain it's not my heart. Pain still comes and goes but has let up. I have an appointment with my Doc on Wednesday and did a full CBC last week. Doc thinks I now have Hashimoto's on top of my radiation induced hypothyroidism. As long as it's not cancer, I will take it! My post cancer fight is just beginning!
Stacey
SCC Stage 3 Left Lateral Tongue and lymph nodes December 2013 -HPV (no risk factors)
37 years old at diagnosis
12/2013 Partial Tongue Gloss by local ENT(she said clear margins)
01/2014 2nd Partial Tongue Gloss and left Neck dissection with more disease found by doc at MD A
04/2014 finished 30 Rad Txs
04/2014 Hospitalized for radiation side effect. PICC line for fluids and TPN feedings
06/2014 PICC Line removed
09/2014 NED
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 | Stabritton
I noticed you live here in Louisiana. So does my mother and I. My mother is being treated at East Jefferson Hospital and the MD doctors who are supposed to have partnered with them.
My mom suffers with some Acid issues ever since Radiation. That could be your problem also. But check with your doctors just to rule some serious things out.
Good Luck
Heidi
Last edited by sweetpe1; 10-12-2014 06:53 PM.
Sweetpe
Caregiver
RE:My Mother
Age 70
Non Smoker
SCC 3/4/2014 Left rear jaw
Mandiblctmy 3/25/2014
35RAD Completed on 06/03/2014
MRI 9/3/2014
25mm lobulated recurrence left mandible/floor of mouth carcinoma
9/23/14 Salvage Surgery
MET(s)
9/23/14 Salvage Surgery Not Successful
Chemo Recommended
1st Round of Cisplatin Chemo Started 10/20/14
Cisplatin stopped 11/20/14. Side affects to bad.
Chemo started again 1/22/15 Carbo/Docetaxel
Passed Away April 22,2015
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | Let us know how things go and goood luck!
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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