#21029 09-08-2006 06:22 PM | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 794 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 794 | I had a maxillectomy beyond the lateral incisor, and a partial palatectomy in January for a SCC lesion that was staged as a T-2 because of its size. It had been overlooked by my dentist for quite some time, which makes me nervous! I had clear margins at surgery, and clear nodes in my neck dissection. I had no rad. or chem. At six months post-op, my surgeon turned me loose to return in six months. This really makes me anxious! I have read that it is important to be very vigilant during the first year to spot recurrences or additional primary lesions.
Does this schedule sound proper to you? Do you ever get to the point where you are comfortable about the possibility of recurrence? I know that I am very fortunate......my surgeon has declared that I am cancer-free. That's good to hear, but I will feel better when some time has passed and he is proved to be right!
Colleen--T-2N0M0 SCC dx'd 12/28/05...Hemi-maxillectomy, partial palatectomy, neck dissection 1/4/06....clear margins, neg. nodes....no radiation, no chemo....Cancer-free at 4 years!
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#21030 09-14-2006 05:09 AM | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 583 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 583 | Hi August,
Welcome! I can understand your feelings about recurrance. My first round with SCC was my tongue 2004. Had surgery & had clear Margins. All was good until Sept. 2005. Found lump in neck. I did not have CT scan after first surgery, which was just a slip up.
So keep up with the follow ups & make sure to have CT done now & then. That is all you can do for now. Glad you are ok.
Take care Diane
2004 SCC R.tip 1/4 tongue Oct. 2005 R. Neck SCC cancer/Chemo Cisplatin 2x/8wks. Rad. Removed Jugular vein, Lymph gland & some neck muscle. TX finished 1/20/06... B.Cancer 3/29/07 Finished 6/07 Bi-op 7/15/09 SCC in-situ, laser surgery removed from 1st. sight. Right jaw replacement 11/3/14. 9 yrs cancer free as of Jan. 2015
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#21031 09-14-2006 03:36 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | When you get your consult at MDACC they may recomend a course of radiation to be sure that it has all been eliminated. Given the significant amount of surgery you have had to undergo, my guess is that a disease this progressed would warrent the radiation to ensure that everything was resolved completly, and you will not, 18 months from now, be going through all this again.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant. | | |
#21032 09-23-2006 12:26 PM | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1 Member | Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1 | I had a right maxillectomy 8/04. No radiation, no chemo. I have had a CT scan evey year of my head and neck following my surgery . I saw my doctor every 3-4 months the first year, plus going to prosthodontist equally the same amount. I see my doctor now about every 6-8 months. Push the CT scan- remind the doctor that every year after diag. it should be done. | | |
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