| | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 64 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP  Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 64 | Hi all,
I'm about 9 years out and have, once again, some symptoms that have me worried. My cancer originated on left side and metastasized to right neck. I had a right neck disection with chemo and rads. I've never really experienced symptoms on my right side until last december when i had a pretty good case of sinusitis, worse on the right. about 2 weeks ago, my right neck became sore. my scm muscle is really tight and tender. the muscle seems to hurt when i swallow. my right ear hurts, maybe more of a deep burning sensation. my right cheek is tingly, sometimes my right sinus is blocked, sometimes not. my right side all together feels full. i've rationalized this as either s sinus issue or an scm problem that is referring pain to the problem areas. But fear creeps in. aside from the last bout of sinusitis, ive never experienced this before on the right side, oddly enough considering my disection. it has me worried. i have an appointment on wed. also had mri last dec, which revealed the pan sinusitis. wondered if anyone had any similar experiences. the pain in my neck upon swallowing is the most troublesome. i can turn my head to the right when i swallow and it wont hurt. weird, i know. lastly, i have not had a cold but maybe some allergy issues the entire summer. thanks in advance
Last edited by Kelley F; 08-21-2011 02:10 PM.
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: 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 | You're so far out I sincerely hope it's nothing, maybe the sinusitis made an already sensitive area moreso? Radiation is the gift that keeps on giving as you know - so maybe it's become a minor but chronic issue? Fingers crossed it's nothing!
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: 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 | First, congrats on your 9 years!!!! It could be exactly what Cheryl mentioned, late effects from rads. Ease your mind and go see your ENT and get it checked out. Whenever you have something wrong like this for 2 weeks its time to see the doc. We all tend to think the worst whenever something in our mouth changes. The fear of a recurrence will always be with us. Dont worry just check it out so you can rule it out as the cause of your problems. I myself have sinus problems, its like I have a cold that never gets better from the radiation. Lets us know how you make out.
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 both for your responses. I saw my ENT yesterday. He examined me and told me he saw nothing but normal structures. He believed my issues to be muscle related and recommended PT. I felt a certain amount of relief for about half the day and then I started to doubt. He is one not to scan me. I never really pushed the issue because I knew what his answer would be. I cant go to PT until after labor day, but my anxiety about this is pretty high. My MRI in December was of my brain and ear. I asked him if that would show base of tongue and those structures and he said yes. Should I push for a scan or start PT in 2 weeks and see how it goes. It has been 9 years and I've had bouts where I was sure it was back, and then I would run to my dr only to be given the all clear. I have another ENT that i see alternately who would be more apt to scan me. My symptoms seem to be more pronounced but I know my anxiety may be exacerbaing them. Wondered what you all thought
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 2009 Posts: 875 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 875 | Hi Kelley:
I see nothing wrong with you going to your alternate ENT just to have him check it out, and also you'll have a second opinion. Everyone is right about always wondering when something strange pops up after we've had oral cancer. I've been to so many different doctors, I almost know them by their first names. We panic, but to ease your mind, I would go to the other ENT. That's just my opinion and what I would do. Good luck and let us hear from you.
julieann
Julieann Nov 2007 SCC on right tonsil following tonsillectomy. Was smoker, QUIT. (Stage IV T2 N2b) 7 weeks radiation one day/wk chemo (carboplatin and 5-FU). Allergic to Taxol; PEG in, lost 30 lbs. TX completed January 2008. PEG out mid- 2008. PET/CT 1/17/2011;2/3/12 NEGATIVE for cancer | | | | | 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 | I agree peace of mind is more important go to the other ENT I would never want to be put in the position of saying - I wish I had.... If there was recurrence (highly ulikely for you though) so do it. It can't hurt, but it definitely can help!
Thinking of you and hoping it is nothing.
Last edited by Cheryld; 08-25-2011 11:48 AM.
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: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 | I agree with Cheryl and Julieanne. And it's not 'running to the dr.', its getting a second opinion. Nothing wrong with that!
CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker
First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010
TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab
PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.
| | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 | I agree with the others. getting a second opinion would help alleviate your fears.
Angelia
31 at Dx.
DX: 4/30/09, 10/21/09 SCC on floor of mouth,
T1NOMO, T2N1M0
TX: 39 IMRT, 8 cisplatin 11/30/09
PET/CT: 11/03/09: Lymph node involvement
PEG/PORT: 11/09
TX end: 02/01/10
PET Scan: 04/05/10 clear
PEG Out: 06/21/10
Biopsy: 12/23/10: fibrosis
HBO: 01/04/11 - ORN
Baby girl born 11-30-12
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 267 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 267 | Just chiming in to agree with the others that if seeing the other doctor will make you feel better, then go for it.
Tracy - 33 at diagnosis
SCC right ventral tongue Dx 4/11.
T1N2M0
1st resection 5/11.
Bilateral neck dissection: 2 pos nodes
2nd resection w/graft 6/11.
Erbitux x 11 completed 9/11. IMRT x 30 completed 8/11.
3 month MRI and PET/CT all clear.
6, 9, 12 and 24 month post treatment MRIs all clear.
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