Dear Rosie,
Wanted to discuss a couple of things re Heather and trials.
I have just completed 7 weeks rad to tonsillar stage 4 SCC with lymph mets to left and right neck. Prognosis was v poor and unlike Heather they(Vancouver oncologists)ruled out surgery as would have been too drastic a cure????
I was put on a trial which had it's origins in France and another from Italy, which recommended double chemo - Carboplatin and 5 FU's together - which was supposed to be most effective but also most severe treatment. The chemo was to be given 3 times - weeks 1, 4 and 7.
The results of older trials have shown that most patients cannot tolerate these high doses so they have reduced them to 2 sessions only,within the 7 weeks (which is what i received) they say any more could produce permanent side effects which out-weigh benefits.They explained that the chemo itself didn't treat the cancer but made the radiatiom more effective. Right from day 1 my lumps went down and are all but gone - to the point where there was not enough of a lump to biopsy on the left side.It's impossible to say whether still cancerous or not but am hoping the tiny bit left is just scar tissue. My radiotherapist is still worried that cancers in the young tend to be more aggressive.The chemo made the lymph node soft and although the side-effects are grim they are nothing to be afraid of - if the tumour can recede that quickly...... it's got to be worth a try and soon.
Like Heather I am a young woman with no risk factors but that's another topic! I am just mad that it took them 6 months to finally treat me and feel sure that my staging would have been different with a whole different experience, we must push for timely diagnosis.
I want to wish you all the best with your decision-making . Rest assured we are all rooting for you and Heather, whatever you decide on. I am worried about relapse too but will hang on in there and keep fingers crossed!
Bye for now, best wishes,
Frances.