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#80466 09-15-2008 05:39 PM
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Has anyone out there had induction therapy (chemo combination of Cisplatin, 5FU, and Toxotere and radiation to follow)? I just would like some feedback on it if you can help. Thank you.


age 35 at DX,EBV-, HPV+,stage 4a oropharyngeal BOT rt side 1 node+/15 nodes - rt side of neck, non-smoker/drinker, induction therapy to begin 9/18/08 cisplatin,5FU,taxotere 2X, radiation to follow for 7 wks, radiation completed 1/21/09
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Hi T&T

I went the induction, surgery and radiation route, same drugs. Very successfully I may add! How can I help?

Kevin

Last edited by Kevin - Memphis; 09-16-2008 05:41 AM.

9 YEAR SURVIVOR
SCC Tongue (T3N0M0) diag 06/2006.
No evidence of disease 2010
Another PET 12-2014 pre-HBO, still N.E.D.


�Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. It matters that you don't just give up.�
Stephen Hawking
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Can you tell me how many rounds of chemo? My husband had surgery to remove the tumor on 8/13 and it was biopsied at that time. They are going to do 2-3 rounds of chemo (starting tomorrow) 5 days a piece with the toxotere brought home in a drip and 21 days in between rounds. He will start the radiation after the rounds of chemo are completed. Does this sound like the same regimen? Can you tell me what to expect and give us any tips that are helpful? Thanks so much.


age 35 at DX,EBV-, HPV+,stage 4a oropharyngeal BOT rt side 1 node+/15 nodes - rt side of neck, non-smoker/drinker, induction therapy to begin 9/18/08 cisplatin,5FU,taxotere 2X, radiation to follow for 7 wks, radiation completed 1/21/09
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Terry,

It would be most helpful if you gave us more details about his diagnosis. You can do it once in a reply or update your Signature Line like most of us have done and then it will follow every post you make.


David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
davidcpa #80527 09-16-2008 02:29 PM
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David,

Is this enough detail? I'm not familiar with a lot of your abbreviations. Thanks!

Terry


age 35 at DX,EBV-, HPV+,stage 4a oropharyngeal BOT rt side 1 node+/15 nodes - rt side of neck, non-smoker/drinker, induction therapy to begin 9/18/08 cisplatin,5FU,taxotere 2X, radiation to follow for 7 wks, radiation completed 1/21/09
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Terry- My husband lost all his hair from the Taxotere and was nauseated in the beginning but it soon disappeared. He also had irritation in his mouth and very dry skin.

Sue


cg to husband, 48 Stage 1V head and neck SCC. First surgery 9/07. Radiation and several rounds of chemo followed. Mets to chest and lungs. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Went home to God on February 22, 2009.
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[quote=terryandtroy]Can you tell me how many rounds of chemo? My husband had surgery to remove the tumor on 8/13 and it was biopsied at that time. They are going to do 2-3 rounds of chemo (starting tomorrow) 5 days a piece with the toxotere brought home in a drip and 21 days in between rounds. He will start the radiation after the rounds of chemo are completed. Does this sound like the same regimen? Can you tell me what to expect and give us any tips that are helpful? Thanks so much. [/quote]

Hi guys

I started with chemo, then on to surgery, finishing up with the RAD's (what one here affectionately tagged it as the poison, slash, burn therapy). I wore the 5FU pump for the week I was "on the bag". They had me on 3 separate anti-nausea meds and I did fine. Kept my appetite all thru chemo. I did loose all of my hair but that didn't bother me, I needed a new deaux smile

Tips:

If one set of anti-nausea isn't working, ask for a switch, or ask for more.
Keep hydrated, drink LOTS of water, especially during the radiation treatments to follow.
Keep the calorie count UP. 3000/day is a fair target. Get as much protein as possible.
Before the Radiation treatment starts, get a PEG tube. I think this helped me more than almost anything else I did.
Ask questions, either here in the forum or to the medical staff. If you do not completely understand, ask again.

Kevin


9 YEAR SURVIVOR
SCC Tongue (T3N0M0) diag 06/2006.
No evidence of disease 2010
Another PET 12-2014 pre-HBO, still N.E.D.


�Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. It matters that you don't just give up.�
Stephen Hawking
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Posts: 8,311
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Terry,

Where is his primary and I'm assuming nodal involvement. One side or both? Any surgery planned? Boy 35 is a lot younger than I'm used to seeing with HPV+ SCC. Where is he being treated? I think you are doing fine in the abbreviation category but here's a complete list FYI:

Acronyms:
BaCC = Basil Cell Carcinoma
Biopsy = tissue sample removed for microscopic examination
BOT = Base of tongue
Brachytherapy = Radiation therapy with internal radioactive �seeds�
CAT = Computed Axial Tomography (scan)
CCC = Cancer Care Center
CT = Computed (computer) Tomography (scan)
Dives = treatments in a HBO unit
DX = Diagnosis
ENT = Ear Nose and Throat Doctor and surgeon
FNA = Fine Needle Aspiration � (Needle Biopsy)
HBO(T) = Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments
HIPAA = Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
HN = Head and neck
HNC = Head and Neck Cancer
HPV = Human Papilloma Virus
IMRT = Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy
Met(s) = Metastasis or cancer spread
MRI = Magnetic Resonance Imaging (scan)
NCCN = National Comprehensive Cancer Network
PCP = Primary Care Physician
PEG = Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastronomy (G tube or tube) Feeding
PET = Positron Emission Tomography (scan)
PT = Physical Therapist
QOL = Quality Of Life
RND = Radical Neck Dissection (sometimes Resection) also Modified
RO = Radiation Oncologist
RT = Radiation Therapy also Radiotherapy (Radio)
RX = Prescription or treatment
SCC(a) = Squamous Cell Carcinoma also SqCCA and sq cell ca
TX = Treatment
Xerostomia = low saliva
XRT = X ray Radiation Therapy
_________________________


David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
davidcpa #80575 09-17-2008 08:12 AM
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David,

I updated my signature some more. Thanks for the acronyms. Yes, my husband is young. I'm 40 and we have a 14 month old and a 4 year old. Our life has been thrown into a tailspin. We moved from NY to GA in 5/07. Right before we left, he had the lump in his neck checked out in Syracuse. They treated it like a sinus infection and gave him an antibiotic. They told him to get it checked out in a few months in GA if it didn't go away. Needless to say, we got wrapped up in moving, having a new baby, new position at a new office for my husband, me leaving my job and becoming a stay-at-home Mom, etc. and the lump never came about again until July of this year.


age 35 at DX,EBV-, HPV+,stage 4a oropharyngeal BOT rt side 1 node+/15 nodes - rt side of neck, non-smoker/drinker, induction therapy to begin 9/18/08 cisplatin,5FU,taxotere 2X, radiation to follow for 7 wks, radiation completed 1/21/09
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So they did a neck dissection?

Where is he being treated?

How large was the positive node?


David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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