I'm sorry to hear this, Delly. It's unusual that cancer will grow during radiation, it usually shrinks, although there can be some inflammation of lymphatics, and as said, is not a good indication. I had tumors pop up twice in the neck while waiting for different cancer surgeries, which were removed with the other cancer thankfully, but not during treatment, which could have possibly happened if they weren't found in time.

If may or may not be a lymph node, as some were said to have been dissected, not sure of type though, and what levels, and I have found as far as myself, not all are always removed, and had several found with each dissection (5) I had, and being there are so many in the neck, around 300, mostly microscopic, but everyone is different in that amount, and location. As far as it not being a lymph node has happened to me. After a neck dissections, radiation, even surgery, cancer finds an alternate route if the lymphatic flow is disrupted, so cancer can travel anywhere, usually the weakest link.

On the other hand, the tumor can be radio resistant from a number of things, the neck receives a lower radiation dosage usually than the primary, can be out of the radiation field, etc.

I'm not sure what the doctors may do. It sounds like the current radiation therapy is not finished yet? Maybe they will do another simulation, treatment plan, and give higher dosage to this new cancer, and finish the current radiation treatment, then do a neck dissection, possibly add chemo as a radio sensitizer. They can possibly stop radiation, do a dissection, but that has risk of tumor regeneration, and incomplete or delay in further radiation treatment.

Cheryl mentioned IORT and Proton Therapy, which may be a possibility, not sure though, plus the fact it may not be available in England. Brachytherapy is, I believe, and is used as a boost dose with IMRT radiation for HNC, so that may be an option maybe, and Cyberknife too.

http://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/diagnosis-treatment/cancer/pages/head-neck.aspx

I tried thinking of any possibilities, and hope the doctors come up with a good course of action, and know better than I do.

Good luck with everything, ask any questions, and keep us posted.

Hello you sound like you've had a rough time I bet you've give up hope so many time x dad had finished his radiation he has had a nodes removed and lymph glands so in not to sure it must of been in the surrounding tissue and has grown from there :(( he's going today but won't let me go with him but his friend going I think he can't cope with how upset we get :(( I really hope is confined to the lump and not spread he's been through do much as you have cancer is such a creul disease xx

Good luck with the doctors. Maybe there will be better news of hope after the meeting.

There are other options. England is quite good with regards to medicine just make sure he is being treated at a top hospital. Hopefully they are doing trials.Usually they are... hugs.

Hi all thankyou for your messages x it's good news well good news compared to what I thought x the lump is localised it's not spread and can be cut out and just radiation in that area so so pleased with that result I really hope it works and he gets through it x they also checked his swallow with a stethoscope and she said it sounds as though you are swallowing and your lungs sound good which is even more good news x still not allowed to drink but he goes for a swallow test in few week after this operation :)) xx

Glad to hear the good news! I thought that's what they would do being radiation was finished, but still see no chemo/targeted therapy. Take one step at a time, and both of you will get through this. Curious as to the type of radiation, dosage, area radiated, when you have more details.

Good luck.

That's soooo awesome... so happy for you...

Thankyou I can't tell you how happy we are I really hope this works x I will update with more details Paul when I no , are you finished all treatment now ? I can't find the abbreviations so can't see what you've been through

Delly, abbreviations are in the very first heading. Its the New Here, Read This First section in both the Posting Etiquette and Common Abbreviations threads. Its also included in the link I send every new member thru a PM (private message).

Delly, that is wonderful news on your Father. I hope the surgery is scheduled quickly . The swallowing sounds really promising too.
Tammy