Back in November I was diagnosed with stage 2 HPV positive cancer at the base of my tong. The PET/CT scan didn�t find any involvement of my lymph nodes or distance sites. I completed 7 weeks of radiation, the oncologists have told me I have been doing very well, I credit my wife with my success as she made sure I was eating. At this point I am waiting for the follow up visits with the ENT and oncologists. I have a LOT of anxiety as to what�s in store for me and my family. The oncologists tell me this type of cancer has a low reoccurrence and the prognosis is �good�. I have been trying to find some studies that validate their beliefs and have searched Google and OCF. Any recommendation where I can find more information?

Thanks, Mark

Mark!

Welcome to OCF brotha Congrats on getting through rads! HPV tumors respond very well to radiation and have a better prognosis (generally) then HPV- so you Dr is correct!

Anxiety comes with the territory with this disease and the emotional scars can take longer then any physical damage when it comes to cancer. Give it time and plug into these forums to get support. Always be diligent going forward but you're alive so celebrate that brotha.

Ive detailed my journey to emotional healing in my blog on the Coping Anger/Fear section called Letting the Healing Begin, check it out and maybe you can relate to some of the realizations that helped me through.

Welcome aboard my friend


Eric

Hello Mark:
Welcome to our club, I think. If you have to be in a place where you can get all the information you need, you've found the right place. I don't have any information about your type cancer, but others will join in as soon as they see your post. Congratulations on completing 7 weeks of radiation - that, itself, is a big accomplishment. I have read on many posts that HPV positive cancers respond to treatment more than non-HPV cancers. You can go to the Search box (top right), and type in HPV Positive, and you will see others who have posted on the success of their treatments. Things will get better with time - keep updating us.
OCF friend, julieann

Welcome to OCF, Mark. Here is an article from the OCF Newsfeed. It has some info about HPV having better survival rates than non-HPV oral cancer patients. Congrats on finishing treatments and best wishes with your recovery.

HPV better survival article

Mark,

Chances are very good that this will be the end of it although your recovery can take up to 2 years so patience is the name of the game. Eat plenty of calories and take it as easy as you want for a while as your body has been through quite an ordeal. I'm over 5 years post Tx and other than a small amount of dry mouth issues I am completely normal.

Hi - welcome and ditto on what everyone else said. Rejoice in beng here and despite the fall out from radiation... Rejoice in being able to move on. Stage 2 is early as well so that's another plus factor! Good luck...

Thank you all for your kind words and support. I have always judged my life success on getting to old age, some think I am old at 52, boy have I been misguided in that logic. Learning to take one day as it comes and enjoy what the day sends my way.
I been cycling for the last 20 years and generally get in ~100 miles a week, work permitting. Prior to my diagnoses I always felt that cycling was going to help protect me from cancer and other illnesses. That didn�t happen. I completed treatment on Tuesday (1/17) and want to start back up, the oncologists have said I can start working out again. The last couple of weeks I been able to do a few short rides, however, during the ride I have a strange feeling that cycling is wearing down my immunity and allowed the cancer to slip through. Any suggestions on ways I can overcome these thoughts?

Mark,

Moderate physical exercise actually boosts immune function. The only time you have to worry about physical exercise decreasing your immune system is if you start to over train, it's actually called "Over Training Syndrome" where instead of building or maintaining muscle you are wearing it down due to overuse.

Here's an article that gives you an overview of it.

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/injuryprevention/a/Ex_Immunity.htm

Rest is a very important part of training, cycling exercises are a very effective way to keep your muscles from getting to the over training stage as well. In weight training for example it's recommended to change up the specific exercises you do in your routine to keep from over training. I cycle my routines quite often to keep from over training and also to promote greater strength gains, which goes hand in hand. Here is another great article by bodybuilding.com that's pretty good as well.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/poor-recovery-result-of-overtraining.htm

Normally bodybuilders and pro athletes are on the cutting edge of fitness and nutrition sciences and are good resources for information. With anything however you'll also want to keep your Dr and or nutritionist in the loop with what you are doing.


Now there are studies that show that increased muscle mass helps in survival rates in cancer as well so definitely don't stop exercising, just be educated about it and listen to your body to not overdo it.

Hope that helps

Eric

Mark

If you browse thru DavidCPA's posts, you will see that he is also a dedicated cyclist who bikes the mega miles like you.
After 5 years, his cycling has not let his cancer "slip through" and he's a great example of a complete recovery.
My suggestion on how to overcome those thoughts is that it's more like aikido or judo instead of karate. You just cannot destroy or put down the thoughts/fears of the cancer coming back. instead you just sidestep them and gently but forcibly guide them to pass harmlessly by, without landing a blow. Acknowledge them but don't dwell on them. Eric's scientific facts may help you realize that exercise helps your recovery and your immune system.
Congratulations on getting thru TX.
Keep the faith
Charm

Mark, welcome from another southern californian. You and I had somewhat similar diagnoses although I did have lymph node involvement and underwent surgery prior to radiation. You've gotten some great advice so far from some of the most knowledgeable people on the forum. It's amazing to me that you're able even to get on a bike so soon after RT!

The anxious thoughts come with the territory. Charm's judo metaphor is great and the first time I'd thought of it that way.

You and I and so many others who are HPV+ are among the lucky ones, and a day doesn't go by when I'm not appreciative of that. As David says, the chances that this disease is behind you are very good. Please keep us informed of your progress, and best of luck. (oh and it would be helpful if you made a signature for yourself as you see from the rest of us. Go to the 'My Stuff' tab at the top of the page)