Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#20571 06-16-2006 05:37 AM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 10
scottp Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 10
Hi, I just found out yesterday that the doctor is fairly certain my Dad has cancer on his tongue, although a biopsy still has to be done. It looks as though it has spread to the lymph nodes due to a lump on his neck. The doctors say it is "advanced", and he will require readiation and chemo, although I'm not sure abobut surgery. I also found out that my Dad has had this lump for quite some time and other symptons - coughing, difficulty swallowing. He is 63 years old and scared, as we all are.

#20572 06-16-2006 06:39 AM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,552
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,552
Hi Scott,
Welcome to the forum. Many of us were advanced stage before it was detected. Keep us in the loop, go with him to the doctor visits and take very thorough notes.

I have a friend that had a 6 lb. rectal tumor! How do you not notice that?!?!? Stranger things have happened - just try to move forward from this point. We are here to help in any way we can.


Gary Allsebrook
***********************************
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)
#20573 06-16-2006 07:59 AM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 837
"Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Offline
"Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 837
Scottp,

Welcome to this site -- I'm sorry you needed to look for it, but glad you found it early in your father's path down this road. There is a wealth of information beyond the OCF forum itself -- if you go to the homepage and scan through the various subjects you can find there, you'll see what I mean.

When you get more detail about biopsy results, you may well have more questions. Feel free to post here with any concerns you have and you'll probably hear from people who have been through it before. If your father hasn't yet been to a major cancer center, I would urge him to be seen by a head and neck cancer team at one of them (you can find a list under Other Resources if you go through the homepage here). This disease is best dealt with by doctors who treat it on a regular basis.

Cathy


Tongue SCC (T2M0N0), poorly differentiated, diagnosed 3/89, partial glossectomy and neck dissection 4/89, radiation from early June to late August 1989
#20574 06-16-2006 09:43 AM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 10
scottp Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 10
Thanks, my Mom had breast cancer about 15 years ago, today she is doing fine. I was able to be strong for her, but I'm taking this so hard. I know he needs me to be strong, but this hit me out of the clear blue.

#20575 06-16-2006 10:25 AM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 90
Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Offline
Supporting Member (50+ posts)

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 90
Scottp,
Ditto to what everyone else said. My father was diagnosed in January and just finished treatments last month. It isn't easy but you can survive it.
Massillon, football country,I am only a couple of hours south of you. I don't know if Cleveland has a CCC but we have one here in Columbus and I would encourage you to at least try to get your Dad to obtain a second opinion here in Columbus.
My father lives in a different state and I wasn't successful in getting him to come here. Good luck and keep posting. You will find a wealth of information on this website. Your Dad will be ok, my Dad had the lump on his neck for several months before mentioning it to any of us. He decided since it continued to get larger to finally mention it to his family physician during a routine visit. Thank goodness he did.
God bless you and your family
Kim


Caregiver to Father:Stage III unknown primary; modified left side neck dissection 2/2006; 8 wk trmts of Erbitux 3/2006 with-37 radition treatments; 11.2010; biopsy of base of tongue results questionable. 9.2013 tumor on left side of tongue; squamous cell cancer. 10.2.2013 Hemiglossectomy(1/2 tongue removed) with reconstruct tongue using left thigh tissue;surgery included IORT.
25 additional IMRT radiation trtmts & 5 wks/chemo. Carbo & Taxol combo.NPO;100% PEG depend;aspiration pneumonia 3/2014
#20576 06-16-2006 10:30 AM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 90
Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Offline
Supporting Member (50+ posts)

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 90
Scottp,
I know what you mean about hitting you out of the clear blue. My Dad diagnosis did the same to me. I still find myself even now after all the surgery, chemo and radition are over being shocked that my Dad has cancer. Also I think this particular cancer is so unknown to the general population and the unknown is scary. I sure hadn't ever heard anything about it. You will be amazed when the tough times really get tough. You will find yourself finding strength that you didn't think you had.
Take care
Kim


Caregiver to Father:Stage III unknown primary; modified left side neck dissection 2/2006; 8 wk trmts of Erbitux 3/2006 with-37 radition treatments; 11.2010; biopsy of base of tongue results questionable. 9.2013 tumor on left side of tongue; squamous cell cancer. 10.2.2013 Hemiglossectomy(1/2 tongue removed) with reconstruct tongue using left thigh tissue;surgery included IORT.
25 additional IMRT radiation trtmts & 5 wks/chemo. Carbo & Taxol combo.NPO;100% PEG depend;aspiration pneumonia 3/2014
#20577 06-16-2006 01:31 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 10
scottp Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 10
Kim,

I would like to talk more about this with you. I sent you an email.

Scott


Link Copied to Clipboard
Top Posters
ChristineB 10,507
davidcpa 8,311
Cheryld 5,260
EzJim 5,260
Brian Hill 4,912
Newest Members
Jina, VintageMel, rahul320, Sean916, Megm37
13,103 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums23
Topics18,166
Posts196,921
Members13,103
Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020
OCF Awards

Great Nonprofit OCF 2023 Charity Navigator OCF Guidestar Charity OCF

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5