Ak123

PaulB sent you the names of some great doctors . These are the same Doctors he sent me for my mother . Look at your Messages you will see the names PaulB sent you . Like I said take this info and run with it . Time is of the essence for sure .
That cancer will begin to wrap around the artery and become more difficult to remove . It may not be to bad at this point . But the cancer must be removed .
Or it will cause a blow out and take his life .

My mom went through so much radiation and chemo and the cancer would not respond to nothing . She was so tired and began to get very sick and weak as the cancer started to spread . She was just to sick to go through another surgery . The thing is my mother was a very strong women from the beginning but as time went on and so many treatments trying to shrink that cancer off that artery it just brought her down . Instead my mom should have had the surgery on the Carotid to remove the cancer . Is it risky yes indeed it is . But what are your chances otherwise . I hate to say it but they are grim .

Look in your messages from PaulB . Get those names of those doctors . Do some homework on it . Run fast .

Just trying to help . I would hate to see what happened to my mom happen to anyone if there is a chance it can be avoided .

Heidi

Ak123, I had one of the carotid arteries, there are several, involved with cancer back in 2011. It was scraped off, and alloderm was placed on it to protect it, which the surgeon said he would have done a pec flap since I was originally just planned for a MRND, but had a radical instead. Then another surgery for cancer, different hospital, ENT had to take the alloderm off, and pec flap was placed, so I could have more radiation. It may not be necessary to remove any as the CT, MRI does not always show the exact involvement with all the inflammation, fibrosis that can mimicking carotid involvement when there is none, and if it's not wrapped around more than 160 degrees, I believe, they may not remove, just scape off, and there may be different risks depending on what's involved, the common, internal, external carotid artery or one if its branches.

Here is an article that may be helpful.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/850738-overview

AK... PaulB can give you the info you need. The dr. is doing what he feels is right within his knowledge base. Your mother and brother need to now look outside this and move on to someone who can do more for him. I would take Paul B's advice. He's been in the same situation. Make arrangements to get all of his medical records and have them sent to whomever he suggests. Your brother is very young. He has this going for him in terms of being able to handle more treatment. If your mother has to take him out of state for treatment then I would suggest she do this. In this case there are two options... proceed with clinical trials.. (which have a limited scope in terms of cure) or seek a different surgeon/ENT/onclogist who can offer you more than just a trial. It does sound as though his cancer is resistant, so surgery in the hands of a skilled surgeon with what paul suggested... Intraoperative rads (specified area/smaller radius less damage) and proton therapy is your best and most viable option. People tend to hold on to hope that a trial will work, and for some it does. But when there are other options in practice (proton therapy. Intraoperative rads.) then Trials should be used either in conjunction with them (if possible - some trials don't allow this) or they should be a last case scenario.

Hugs.

Best of luck.

Hi AK - Just checking in and sending positive thoughts for everything to go well with Brandon's appointments today and tomorrow in New York. Whenever you can, let us know how you are doing.

AK and Brandon, you both are in my thoughts today. I hope the appointments turn out with some curative options. Im so glad you and Brian Hill were able to connect. Brian knows more than all of us here combined and has the right connections to get you to the top doctors who hopefully are able to help.

Waiting for your update...