Hi Tami,
to get back to your topic and questions:
The midpoint scan is typically a CT and taken to check the progress of the treatment plan and make adjustments if necessary.

The weekly x-rays on the LINAC are more of an alignment check and have little diagnostic value from what I have seen.

"Complete Response" means that the tumor has vanished - that it has completely responded to the treatment protocol.

"Lurking nodes" are the reason that the ENT/H&N docs perform the palpation exam monthly or whatever exam schedule she is on at that point in treatment. If the nodes are enlarged, they will have an almond shaped feel to them (so my H&N doc tells me). They also do a "visualization" exam with mirrors and occasionally a nasolaryngoscope (more so in the beginning - I haven't been scoped in 2 years).

I saw all three docs at 6 week intervals in the beginning, especially when I was still suffering from the treatment side effects but now I see the H&N surgeon every 4 months and the other 2 every 6 months. I have bloodtests done every 6 months and an annual MRI and chest x-ray.

It's great that she had IMRT. It took me 18 months to get my salivary function almost back to normal and I am fine now and enjoying life with a whole new appreciation. Hopefully your mother will get there too. As I said earlier, I had my Cisplatin shortened to 2 treatments because I reacted so horribly (or so well) to it.


Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)