|
#20116 06-14-2006 04:41 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,916 Likes: 61 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,916 Likes: 61 | I just came back from a cancer conference and had a long conversation with a leading doc at MDACC. One of the things that came out of that conversations was that people with unknown primaries have a slight survival advantage in MDACC's clinical experience, (also reported at 3 other major centers). The thinking is just as posted above, that the body's immune system has in some manner dealt with the primary, which was likely very small, and all that is left is the node involvement. This was the first that I had heard of this, but for those thrown into the uncertainty generated by an unknown primary, perhaps it is of some comfort.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant. | | |
#20117 06-17-2006 05:42 PM | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 115 Gold Member (100+ posts) | Gold Member (100+ posts) Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 115 | Thank you, Brian, for passing along that information. It actually is somewhat comforting, as I never considered the possibility that the primary site of my husband's SCC could have already been gone at the time the lump was discovered on his neck, only that it was there somewhere and hopefully dealt with during treatment. The "unknown primary" status was extremely distressing for us but perhaps if we had thought of this possibility, it would have been easier to get past. I hope others who are just being diagnosed with occult primary will see this post. Michele
Michele, caregiver to husband, Jesse, SCC diagnosed 1/5/06 unknown primary, lf neck mass >6 cm. Chemo (Cisplatin 2x; Carboplatin & Taxol 2x) & XRT radiation 39X ending 4/4/06. Rad neck dissection 8.5 hrs 4/13/06. 30 HBO treatments Fall 2006.
| | |
#20118 06-18-2006 03:32 PM | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 90 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 90 | Brian, Ditto what Michele said about occult primary. We also found the unknown primary status extremely distressing and pushed doctors to make sure they had not missed something. I had never considered the possibilty either that it might be gone. I know you just never know with cancer so I have adopted the theory take it as it comes. Thank you again Brian for keeping all of the invaluable information on this site so up to date. Kim
Caregiver to Father:Stage III unknown primary; modified left side neck dissection 2/2006; 8 wk trmts of Erbitux 3/2006 with-37 radition treatments; 11.2010; biopsy of base of tongue results questionable. 9.2013 tumor on left side of tongue; squamous cell cancer. 10.2.2013 Hemiglossectomy(1/2 tongue removed) with reconstruct tongue using left thigh tissue;surgery included IORT. 25 additional IMRT radiation trtmts & 5 wks/chemo. Carbo & Taxol combo.NPO;100% PEG depend;aspiration pneumonia 3/2014
| | |
Forums23 Topics18,199 Posts197,006 Members13,186 | Most Online614 Jul 29th, 2024 | | | |
|