Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3
#27845 10-25-2005 09:51 AM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 162
Brett Offline OP
Gold Member (100+ posts)
OP Offline
Gold Member (100+ posts)

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 162
Hi Guys. I have found myself in the midst of a recurrence and I, along with my doctors, are in the process of trying to formulate a treatment plan. I would appreciate any constructive comments or suggestions that may help me think of things I may not have considered or been aware of. In any case, the bad news: I have local recurrent disease with a 2cm tumor at the base of my tongue just above the larnyx. This was confirmed via biopsy last week. No metastasis have been noted and a chest xray shows my lungs to be clear. The location of the tumor deep in the base of the tongue is part of what makes this so problematic. The surgical salvage protocol calls for the complete removal of both the tongue and the larnyx. Besides the extremely debilitating nature of this surgery, it only offers a two year survival rate of 12%. I'm not a fan of this solution. I met with my radiation oncologist yesterday and he was not a fan of re-irradiation either with or without chemo. His primary concern was that the cancer already survived chemo and radiation and what we would have left would be the most robust cancer cells of the lot. This along with the potential side effects of re-irradiation cause him great concern, although he said he would do it if I decided I wanted it. He thought the best chance of success was surgery followed by radiation, which takes us back to total debilitation and only 1 chance 10 for two years. I meet with my medical oncologist tomarrow and my surgeon again on Friday. The feeling I'm getting from my medical team is that the situation is very grim without much hope. I know I am too close to the problem to be thinking completely clearly. I would appreciate any suggestions, esspecially if they involve a newer approach to treatment. Thanks!


Base of Tongue SCC. Stage IV, T1N2bM0. Diagnosed 25 July 2003.
Treated with 6 weeks induction chemo -- Taxol & Carboplatin once a week followed with 30 fractions IMRT, 10 fields per fraction over 6 more weeks. Recurrence October 2005.
#27846 10-25-2005 11:37 AM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 45
Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Offline
Contributing Member (25+ posts)

Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 45
Brett,

I don't have any personal advice as my case is/was much different that yours but I do know that there are many people here pulling for you and willing to give you their personal insights and advice. I'll keep you in the thoughts and prayers of our family.

Dave


Stage I diagnosed 9/18/2000

Dave
#27847 10-25-2005 11:49 AM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10
Member
Offline
Member

Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10
Brett,

Are you at a major comprehensive cancer center? Those are the best places to be and all may have differeent opinions.

Praying for you.

Leslie

#27848 10-25-2005 12:18 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 162
Brett Offline OP
Gold Member (100+ posts)
OP Offline
Gold Member (100+ posts)

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 162
Thank your for you kind words and prayers. I was initially and I am currently being treated at M. D. Anderson. I have been researching Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), which looks promising. I'm stilling hoping for other ideas and frank discussion. Thanks.


Base of Tongue SCC. Stage IV, T1N2bM0. Diagnosed 25 July 2003.
Treated with 6 weeks induction chemo -- Taxol & Carboplatin once a week followed with 30 fractions IMRT, 10 fields per fraction over 6 more weeks. Recurrence October 2005.
#27849 10-25-2005 12:21 PM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 417
"Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Offline
"Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 417
Brett;
Keep a positive attitude and try not to be overwhelmed by all the information and choices thrown at you.
I will be praying for you as well
Darrell


Stage 3, T3,N1,M0,SCC, Base of Tongue. No Surgery, Radiationx39, Chemo, Taxol & Carboplatin Weekly 8 Treatments 2004. Age 60. Recurrence 2/06, SCC, Chest & Neck (Sub clavean), Remission 8/06. Recurrence SCC 12/10/06 Chest.
#27850 10-25-2005 12:42 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,676
JAM Offline
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,676
Brett, I can only offer prayers and they are on their way. Amy


CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease

:
#27851 10-25-2005 01:34 PM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 325
Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Offline
Platinum Member (300+ posts)

Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 325
Brett,
Wishing you fair skies and following winds, I hope you find what you need to make life good again.

Andrea


SCC L lat tongue,Dx 9/15/05 T1N0MX L MND and L lateral hemiglossectomy 10/03/05. Recurrence 11/15/06 2nd surgery 12/04/06 hemiglossectomy 3rd surgery 01/15/07 tonsillectomy Radiation 01/25/07 to 03/08/07 3-D/CRT X 30
#27852 10-26-2005 05:36 AM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 928
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Offline
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 928
Brett
Hang in there, my hubby`s original Dx and yours are very similar.
I wish you well.
Marica


Caregiver to husband Pete, Dx 4/03 SCC Base of Tongue Stage IV. Chemo /Rad no surgery. Treatment finished 8/03. Doing great!
#27853 10-26-2005 08:53 AM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,116
Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Offline
Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,116
Brett, there's always hope in these situations. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless, Carol


Diagnosed May 2002 with Stage IV tongue cancer, two lymph nodes positive. Surgery to remove 1/2 tongue, neck dissection, 35 radiation treatments. 11/2007, diagnosed with cancer of soft palate, surgery 12/14/07, jaw split. 3/24/10, cancer on tongue behind flap, need petscan, surgery scheduled 4/16/10
---update passed away 8-27-11---
#27854 10-26-2005 11:11 AM
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 217
Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Offline
Platinum Member (200+ posts)

Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 217
Can't think of what to say but to echo the positive thoughts and prayers the others have given. We'll be with you - - and our collective strength will mirror the aggressiveness of your action in fighting this.
All our best
Tom and Nicki


Nicki, wife of Thomas
dx July 2004, SCC, Stage 4 Tonsil. Tx begun 8/4/04. Cisplatin/Xeloda x 4; IMRT 7 wks, 8/7 - 10/25/04 Modified Radical Dissection (right), Selective Dissection (Left) 12/10/04.
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3

Moderated by  Brian Hill 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Top Posters
ChristineB 10,507
davidcpa 8,311
Cheryld 5,260
EzJim 5,260
Brian Hill 4,912
Newest Members
Jina, VintageMel, rahul320, Sean916, Megm37
13,103 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums23
Topics18,166
Posts196,921
Members13,103
Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020
OCF Awards

Great Nonprofit OCF 2023 Charity Navigator OCF Guidestar Charity OCF

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5