Hi folks, ENT Doctor comfirmed a vocal cord lesion this date after doing a scope. Had been checked twice since December, the other guys did not find the lesion. We have a biopsy set for March 2. The new Doc did not seem concerned. He advise it was white with red border. I guess we will know next week. God I hate this waiting game. Anyhow, I am proud to be a part of the group. You all have my admiration. Regardless of how this turns out I will be praying for each and every one of you. Regards, Robert

Why the long wait for a biopsy? If it is something bad, time is always of the essence when dealing with cancer. Try to get it moved up, for your health both physically and mentally.

Robert. I agree with Brian. Time seems to be the only advantage you can give to yourself, whether it's cancer or not, you need to know so you can start making informed decisions. I hope i'ts not, but if it is, this site & these people will be here for you.

I want to thank the both of you for the response. This whole thing is weird. In mid December I was seen by a GP who advised it was a viral infection. I was placed on steroids and Claritin D. It improved over the next week. Main problem was hoarseness. However, the hoarseness returned once off the medication. Next I saw a ENT Doc who with a mirror checked the voice box. He found swelling and redness but NO lesion. Same conclusion "viral infection". The lesion was found Thursday 2/19 by another ENT doc. This guy was hung up on how tough the insurance company was to deal with. He put me on antibiotics and was going to have me back in 2 weeks. The third ENT who I saw yesterday scoped me on the first visit. He verified the lesion. Seems the first avaliable appointment for the surgical center where the biopsy will be done is March 2. I am going to take your advice and ask that the appointment be moved up. Thanks agin for the response.

Robert

Robert -- I'll chime in too with encouragment to get your appointment moved up. It can happen if you throw your weight around enough...

My wife is one of those bulldog types and she was an amazing advocate for me the day I was diagnosed with SCC back in October. THey were going to do a C-T scan in a week, and do this and that at a later date, etc. But after my wife worked her magic and charms (and refused to hear that it couldn't be done sooner), I had a ton of stuff done that very day...

Sometimes you have to be a bulldog on these things but it is your health and your life. You are worth it even if you ruffle some feathers...

I am sorry for the long delay in the update. I had a SCC in situ of the left true vocal cord. The ENT is treating it with vocal cord stripping. He may have to do this three more times at three month intervals. I wondered why so many strippings and he advised it was for voice preservation. Also it seems radiation is really tough in the neck area. I know many of the board members have had to endure the radiation treatments. I guess I am lucky it staged at 0. However I do wonder if he is being aggressive enough. Robert

I personally would prefer aggressive treatment. I had a lesion on my tongue, the Dr. said lets just get the lesion and no radiation, because it is still small. The next week after the surgery on my tongue I went in for a check. I told the Dr. that the nodes on the same side needed checking. He said no no no that's just infection from the surgery. I told him I wanted them out the nodes were hard and I didn't feel good about them. I was told he removed 5, 3 were cancer. I went with chemo, and radiation. I may not have needed any treatment, but I want have to look back and wish I had taken it. I am 3 years out this month. Everyone is different, I believe my doctor looked at me because of not smoking or drinking and decided I would be ok without the aggresive treatment. I have to keep bothering him to get the treatment I think I need. Question for everyone how often should I get a chest x-ray and how often and what kind of scans. In the 3 years I have had only 1 of each. 1 chest x-ray and 1 scan.

Question, what is the SCC in situ? I know it sounds dumb but I have never understood the in situ part? Thanks, Carol

Joan,
My husband is four years post treatment and we go once a year now for chest xray, head & neck CT and blood work. AFter treatment we went every three months for two years, then every six months for a year and now once a year. Everyone is different though.

Hi Joan,
The NCCN practice guidelines are for an annual chest x-ray and 6 month bloodtest for TSH. They don't mention any other types of scans - that would probably depend on the patients particular case and the doctor (and the willingness of the insurance company or HMO to pay for it). My doctors have told me repeatedly that the visual/palpation exam is the "gold standard".

There are specific guidelines for exam frequency:
year 1 - 1-3 months
year 2 - 2-4 months
year 3-5 4-6 months
year 5+ 6-12 months
This applies to all stages.

"In situ" means "in position", localized".