| | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) |  Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Fox Chase is one of the top CCC in the US so you are already at a good treatment center. Jerry Wilcks, the dentist on the board, was treated there. You might want to PM or email him and see if he has an opinion on your doctor.
A second opinion should not take long to get and I would think Fox Chase would help you expedite it. Besides HUP and Johns Hopkins, you've also got Sloan Kettering in NYC. Easiest is probably HUP. If they take a look and say go for second biopsy, it becomes a no brainer. But then if they have a different opinion, then what????
Does surgeon at Fox Chase think this next biopsy will cure the pain besides getting a answer on cancer?
Take care,
Eileen
----------------------
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
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 756 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 756 Likes: 1 | Janice, Welcome to OCF and I�m truly sorry you needed such a place. I would highly recommend getting a 2nd or even a 3rd opinion. As others have pointed out, there are many excellent hospitals in the Northeast US � Johns Hopkins is #1 in Ear, Nose & Throat cancer and HUP (Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania) is #7. Sloan in NYC and Fox Chase are also highly rated. Here�s a link to the rankings: http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/cancerI was treated at Hopkins this year for a recurrence and would highly recommend going there for a 2nd opinion. I have also been to HUP and Fox Chase for opinions. I sent you a PM with more details.
Susan
SCC R-Lateral tongue, T1N0M0
Age 47 at Dx, non-smoker, casual drinker, HPV-
Surgery: June 2005
RT: Feb-Apr 2006
HBOT: 45 in 2008; 30 in 2013; 30 in 2022 -> Total 105!
Recurrence/Surgeries: Jan & Apr 2010
Biopsy 2/2011: Moderate dysplasia
Surgery 4/2011: Mild dysplasia
Dental issues: 2013-2022 (ORN)
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Janice,
As Eileen said, I was treated at Fox Chase by the Chief of Head and Neck Surgery, John Ridge.
I am sorry to hear about the possibility the Mike may have a recurrence and that things are still up in the air.
Don't hesitate to get in touch with me by email. If you send me your phone number, I will give you a call. I'm curious as to who you have been seeing there and whether Dr. Ridge is involved in Mike's situation.
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 33 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 33 | Well, the doctor called today. She got the full biopsy results (the last one was rushed and just a verbal), Mike does have cancer again. Not sure what's next for him/us. We have a meeting with the doctor on Monday. Sigh!!!
CG of Mike, 43 y/o. July 2009 with Stage 4a SCC on Tonsil., Nov.2010 Recurrence on Tonsil and Base of Tongue
Surgery no clear margins. Very Invasive.Palliative chemo
7/2011: Cancer not responding to chemo, new tumor on larynx and a few other places in oropharynx
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 33 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 33 | Hi and thanks for the kinds words. Mike is seeing Dr. Miriam Lango who works closely with Dr. Ridge (Mike and I call him Mufasa,from the Lion King, lol). He's not directly involved in Mike's case but I know that Dr. Lango has consulted with him on this recurrence. WE will meet with her on Monday to see what the game plan is, she told us already that it'll be surgery as he can not have any more radiation. I'm scared to death because it came back so fast. This time last year he was getting radiation and chemo.
Last edited by dorety87; 11-26-2010 03:33 PM.
CG of Mike, 43 y/o. July 2009 with Stage 4a SCC on Tonsil., Nov.2010 Recurrence on Tonsil and Base of Tongue
Surgery no clear margins. Very Invasive.Palliative chemo
7/2011: Cancer not responding to chemo, new tumor on larynx and a few other places in oropharynx
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Mike is in good hands with Miriam Lango. Although she did not treat me, I did meet her once. I have heard nothing but good things about her and having John Ridge available for consultation is another great thing about Fox Chase. BTW, I call him one tall dude.
As you see, I live in Newtown. Are you anywhere close by?
I do volunteer work at FCCC on 2 Thursday afternoons a month. Please keep me posted.
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 33 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 33 | Yeah, I think so too. She has good gut instinct and really doesn't pull any punches. We do live nearby. We're in Northeast Philadelphia in the Burholme section. We can walk to FCCC. We would love to stop by and see you one Thursday when you are working, I'm sure Mike could use someone to talk to.
CG of Mike, 43 y/o. July 2009 with Stage 4a SCC on Tonsil., Nov.2010 Recurrence on Tonsil and Base of Tongue
Surgery no clear margins. Very Invasive.Palliative chemo
7/2011: Cancer not responding to chemo, new tumor on larynx and a few other places in oropharynx
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 63 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 63 | Janice,
I also have an appt. with Dr. Lango on Monday @ 1:15 for a follow-up. I am waiting for my "next step" in January for liposuction & reshaping.
Sorry to hear about Mike's recurrence; it's something we all dread!
Pat
Pat - 62 yr. old -DX 8/29/09 SCC stage III floor of mouth
Lower teeth& bone removed
Port& Peg
Cisplatin x3; Rad 35 - ended 12/21/09
Fox Chase 2nd opinion-mandibulectomy; tracheotomy; left neck dissection; jaw reconstruction 5/13/10; flap failed;new flap 7/13/10; lipo January 2011
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 63 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 63 | Janice,
I also have an appt. with Dr. Lango on Monday @ 1:15 for a follow-up. I am waiting for my "next step" in January for liposuction & reshaping.
Sorry to hear about Mike's recurrence; it's something we all dread!
Pat
Pat - 62 yr. old -DX 8/29/09 SCC stage III floor of mouth
Lower teeth& bone removed
Port& Peg
Cisplatin x3; Rad 35 - ended 12/21/09
Fox Chase 2nd opinion-mandibulectomy; tracheotomy; left neck dissection; jaw reconstruction 5/13/10; flap failed;new flap 7/13/10; lipo January 2011
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 33 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 33 | Hi there. Our appontment is at 1:00 so we'll probably see eachother in the waiting room....yeah, the recurrence really sucks. I'm more afraid that it came back so fast
CG of Mike, 43 y/o. July 2009 with Stage 4a SCC on Tonsil., Nov.2010 Recurrence on Tonsil and Base of Tongue
Surgery no clear margins. Very Invasive.Palliative chemo
7/2011: Cancer not responding to chemo, new tumor on larynx and a few other places in oropharynx
| | |
| Forums23 Topics18,242 Posts197,125 Members13,310 | | Most Online1,788
Jan 23rd, 2025 | | |
|
