| | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 64 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP  Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 64 | My uncle Ron was diagnosed 9 years ago with nsclc(squamous cell),stage 3. He had a lobe of his right lung surgically removed and received radiation and he has been cancer free up until this last month. His pulmonologist has been looking at a spot on his right lung the last year or so and his latest ct stated that it got slighly larger. He was sent for a pet and there was uptake also noted in his right neck as well as in his throat. They first biopsied the growth in his lung which was returned positive for nsclc again. He then had tonsillectomy and during surgery, they removed and biopsied an area at the right base of tongue which looked suspicious. Both returned negative for cancer. He then had ct of neck and chest. Nothing showed in his neck on ct, so no enlargement of lymph nodes, just uptake on the pet. My uncle had a appointment with multi disciplinary clinic at William Beaumont Hospital who are treating the lung cancer as an early stage with chemo and a lower dose of radiation. They dont seem too concerned with lymph node in neck. My fear is that they missed the primary when they gave him tonsillectomy. I know this could be an inflammatory process but i'm still a little concered. I thought an image guided fna would be in order but they dont seem to want to go that route. Any thoughts would be appreciated
SCC tonsil(left) with contralateral mets. Modified right neck disection August, 2002. 33 rads(62 gy)both sides of neck and 3 cycles cisplatin completed October 25, 2002. 34 yo at time of diagnosis
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Im confused by your signature. It doesnt match what you wrote. Did your uncle have SCC in his tonsil or was it negative? Tissue when removed is sent to a lab to be evaluated. A FNA is not as effective as a regular biopsy. Oral cancer is a fast moving cancer. If your uncle had been misdiagnosed 9 years ago he likely would not still be here. Im sorry but I do not know much about lung cancer other than an oral cancer patient if they have mets it usually will go into the lungs. Not that it doesnt happen, I just havent heard of it going the other way.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | Hi there - I think Kelly is a member... She's posted a number of times - now she's talking about her uncle. I think the uptake could be due to inflammation of some sort, if he tested negative for cancer in the biopsy then that's a good thing - it is possible they missed the primary but that would likely have been the BOT location - which you said they did biopsy, and the tonsil did come back clear as well. There's a good chance that maybe he just had a throat infection. Will keep my fingers crossed that's all it is.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Kelly,
Might suggest a FNA, fine needle aspiration, of the suspected node to check for SCC.
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.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Thanks Cheryl! Sadly there are so many members that I was confused. I apologize!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 64 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 64 | Thank you for your responses. David, I agree on the fna. I think I'll give his ent a call, although after the tonsillectomy results, he said he didnt need to see him anymore. I dont want to worry my uncle anymore than he already is, he was very happy to hear "stage 1". We have an appointment with his MO tomorrow. I'll ask his opinion as well
SCC tonsil(left) with contralateral mets. Modified right neck disection August, 2002. 33 rads(62 gy)both sides of neck and 3 cycles cisplatin completed October 25, 2002. 34 yo at time of diagnosis
| | |
| Forums23 Topics18,245 Posts197,129 Members13,316 | | Most Online1,788
Jan 23rd, 2025 | | |
|
