 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | First thing I would do is RUN don't walk to the best comprehensive cancer center near you for a second and even third opinion. I don't like what you are being told. Fox Chase in Phila is one. I have a marvelous dr at HUP in Phila if you would like his name.
Did the dr explain why he wouldn't have a voice after a total laryngectomy? Is there some reason he couldn't have a TEP? This also seems like a rather drastic surgery to solve an eating problem unless there is unrepairable damage to the esaphageal opening and this is the only solution.
As to chemo, I've never had it. My drs didn't think chemo would add anything to my treatment either time and in 1997 when I was originally diagnosed, they didn't feel chemo added any signiificant chance for survival in most head and neck cancers.
Take care,
Eileen
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Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
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