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#43989 10-15-2004 09:24 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,244
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Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)

Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,244
Joan
I don't know why some Drs think we know nothing about our own bodies. I will be sending positive thoughts to you... I had an MRI scan before my surgery but no-one in the head and neck clinic here talks about ct scans, so I don't know..
Sunshine... love and hugs
Helen


SCC Base of tongue, (TISN0M0) laser surgery, 10/01 and 05/03 no clear margins. Radial free flap graft to tonsil pillar, partial glossectomy, left neck dissection 08/04
#43990 10-15-2004 04:29 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 218
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 218
Joan,
According to my radiation oncologist at Mass General, a ct scan can pick up anything bigger than 1 mm. in size. I don't know what the comparable size for manual palpitation by a doctor but I would be surprised if it is that small. PET scans can find activity at the cellular level but the problem remains the number of false positives and negatives.
The recent edition of CURE magazine had an article on a newer technology which combines pet/ct scans and fuses the images of both technologies. You can read the article online at
http://www.curetoday.com/currentissue/departments/housecall/index.html.
I don't know if you are being treated at a comprehensive cancer center, but most of the people on this board would recommend making sure that you are. Second, I would suggest getting a second opinion from another institution that has a team-based approach to treating oral cancer (the team should include at least an ENT surgeon, an oncologist and radiation oncologist). You should ask about the scheduling of your follow ups and need for scans. I see my ENT surgeon every six weeks and this will continue at least until the end of the first year post treatment. I see the radiation oncologist every 3 months and have a ct scan each time. Others on the board might want to provide information about their follow up schedules so that you will have more data with which to compare.
Best wishes and good luck fighting this nasty disease. - Sheldon


Dx 1/29/04, SCC, T2N0M0
Tx 2/12/04 Surgery, 4/15/04 66 Gy. radiation (36 sessions)
Dx 3/15/2016, SCC, pT1NX
Tx 3/29/16 Surgery
#43991 10-18-2004 07:33 AM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,606
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Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Dec 2003
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Sheldon, et al,

My scans have been mostly the PET/Ct you mention. As an added bonus, for a mere $15 you can get a CD copy to go. My wife wants one and I was thinking of getting her one for her birthday THURSDAY! eek I don't know why she wants one but I know it will scare the hell out of me to look at it!!

I am pretty much on the same 6 week schedule you mention but after tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., the doctor will be pushing those out to 8 weeks for a while, the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise. I'm not sure what that means but after hearing it for years...it sounds quite apropos.


Ed


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
#43992 10-20-2004 02:18 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 80
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Senior Member (75+ posts)
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Senior Member (75+ posts)

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 80
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Everyone thanks for your input. Got results back Monday, they say no cancer but I do have signs of osteoporosis. So it was a yea,boo thing. Hey the yea is better than the boo! I will deal with this also. Guess I am turning 50 this year and falling apart. Never took any medicine before and now I'm getting like my grandmother who carries a Wal-Mart bag with her. What would the drug companies do without us.


JOAN
#43993 10-20-2004 10:43 AM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 482
"Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
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"Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 482
Joan, that is good news on the cancer front. Don't know about osteoporosis, is that a bone thing? But it has to be better than another cancer. So hurrah! Will pray thankful prayers for you.


Regards, Kirk Georgia
Stage IV, T1N2aM0, right tonsil primary, Tonsilectomy 11/03, 35 rad/3cisplatin chemo, right neck dissection 1/04 - 5/04.
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