Hello,
My dad's cancer is back.
He met with his cancer team yesterday.
I did not get to go.
2nd hand info is hard for me, I'm hoping some of you can help me understand what I was told.

The squamous cell carcinoma has returned, to the same spot in his cheek, but also lower, and into the jaw bone, and extends up to the cheekbone, but doesn't include the cheekbone. There is lymph node involvement, and they will remove lymph nodes during surgery. I'm told the tongue and throat are clean. My dad will have surgery to remove the cancer, will have bone and skin removed from his leg to use for reconstructive surgery. He said it is a free flap. Radiation and chemotherapy are not options.

Can anyone please help me to understand this info? I don't know anything about a flap, nor anything about the lymph nodes being removed.
I guess this means that they will replace part of his face, from lip at least halfway back his cheek, and from jaw to cheekbone. (?)

I asked my dad what stage it is, he said stage 1, but I don't think so. I'm 43 years old and hate being treated like a kid. (Dad is 63) Knowledge is power, and the only thing for me to be afraid of is my own ignorance.

Thanks in advance,
Deb

Deb - So sorry to hear about your Dad's recurrence. A flap is a piece of tissue that is completely removed from its donor site wih an artery and a vein and will be connected to an artery and a vein at the recipient site. If you go here:
http://web.utk.edu/~aalix/abbreviations.html
- there is a list of abbreviations in case you need to look them up. It is really hard to get things 2nd hand. It does help if more than one person can meet with the doctors or cancer team. Did anyone else go with your Dad? Some even bring a tape recorder if it's ok with the doctor. My son's experience is slightly different from your Dad's, but I'm sure there will be others here than can help you with suggestions or information. My son had lymph nodes removed to make sure the cancer had not spread to them. Until other posters get to you, if you do a search from the home page or at the top of this one, you'll find lots of info on lymph nodes. You're right, knowledge is power and the more you know the easier it is to ask the right questions and be informed and ready to fight.

Anne Marie,

Thank you for the link, I've been away from this for awhile and had forgotten so much!

I appreciate your response, and sympathize as a mother what you must have gone through with your son. He's lucky to have an informed Mom like you!

Dell: I'm so sorry to hear the news about your Dad....It sounds a little like my husband's diagnosis (invasive SCC) and surgery; however, Buzz was staged at IV-A. Since diagnosis, he has had bilateral neck resection, free-flap (removal/replacement of mandible (jaw) with tissue/bone from femur); 28 IMRT and 6 chemo...As you get more info, please post and we'll be happy to help you as much as possible. As you know, there are a couple others here who have had something similiar...

Lois & Buzz in NC