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#28567 02-08-2007 05:37 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 168
lee33 Offline OP
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Gold Member (100+ posts)

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 168
Hello. I'm trying to understand my dx. It is Stage 4a, T2 N2b M0, with the left tonsil as the primary which has been removed. I have started radiation (6 wks 5 days a week) with three 6hr chemos throughout. Also a possible rad neck dissection at the end of my radiation. I have not asked about a prognosis because there are so many variables. I guess I'm asking what these numbers and letters mean, especially the (a) after stage 4 because it is the only one I can't seem to find explained.Oh I also already had 2 nodes removed that were poorly differintiated and have atleast 2 more nodes that showed on the CT and Petscan. I'm not a negative person. I'm actually quite upbeat but the more I read it seems maybe I should be taking this a little more serious. I guess I need a little help understanding this diagnosis. Thank you.


Lee, age 33, stage 4a, T2N2bM0, Tumor left tonsil (removed), 2 left side nodes removed (poorly differientiatied)total of 3 nodes involved. Treatment IMRT x33/ 2x Cysplatin completed. Good Health and Good Help to you.
Lee
#28568 02-08-2007 06:25 PM
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 720
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"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
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"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: May 2006
Posts: 720
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Lee --

Welcome to OCF. You'll get a lot of support and help here.

Be sure to look through the main part of the site, which contains tons of information -- including this discussion of staging (the letters and numbers) and grading (well differentiated, moderately well differentiated, etc.).

The chart on page 6 of the .pdf file referenced on the staging/grading page goes into greater detail and will tell you what that (a) means. (In your case, it's oropharynx. The letter has to do with the extent the cancer has moved into surrounding areas.)

Keep coming back, and encourage your wife and other family members to sign on as well -- there is information here that will help them, too.

All the best,
Leslie


Leslie

April 2006: Husband dx by dentist with leukoplakia on tongue. Oral surgeon's biopsy 4/28/06: Moderate dysplasia; pathology report warned of possible "skip effect." ENT's excisional biopsy (got it all) 5/31/06: SCC in situ/small bit superficially invasive. Early detection saves lives.
#28569 02-08-2007 06:57 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 168
lee33 Offline OP
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 168
Thank you very much, Leslie.


Lee, age 33, stage 4a, T2N2bM0, Tumor left tonsil (removed), 2 left side nodes removed (poorly differientiatied)total of 3 nodes involved. Treatment IMRT x33/ 2x Cysplatin completed. Good Health and Good Help to you.
Lee
#28570 02-09-2007 05:32 PM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,912
Likes: 52
OCF Founder
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OCF Founder
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

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Leslie got most of the important pages but the cut to the chase page is here http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/stages_cancer.htm


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.

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