#59004 09-26-2006 03:22 PM | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 5 Member | OP Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 5 | I am 5 years out of treatments, having mandibular resection with fibula reconstruction, chemo and radiadion; I had carboplatin treatment, and am concerned about the recurrence or new cancers due to this drug. I had a friend whom I was in treatment with who died yesterday due to a secondary cancer, who also had carboplatin treatment. Any other experience out there? | | |
#59005 09-26-2006 03:46 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 | William, What a tough question! Since you had chemo[carboplatin]radiation, and surgery, I don't think you can single out one" part of your treatment" that might not be so good. Carboplatin has worked for many people. From what I have read, 5 yrs. out is a very good thing! Are you getting regular checkups? Losing your friend is a very upsetting experience and surely brings up many questions in your mind. Tell your Doc. about your fears and increased anxiety level[if that is what it is] Amy
CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease
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#59006 09-26-2006 06:24 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 | Second primaries can happen. Most are NOT related to the type of treatment received, but other unique individual biological factors, and mechanisms by which the person came to the cancer in the first place. Odds are in your favor to not be in this group once you are 5 years out, but that is no guarantee. What in life really is guaranteed? The under two year group has the highest rate of recurrence. There are treatment related issues, even malignancies, but these are most often associated with radiation such as the group that ends up with mandibular sarcomas from radiation about year 10. The percentage of people that get these is very small by the way, but is does happen. In my own experience when someone that I know dies from this disease my anxiety issues act up, and I suspect while that only makes me human, it still rattles my cage. For sometime thereafter, everythng that goes bump in the night, an earache, a small irritation in my mouth is my cancer coming back. Welcome to survivorship.
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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