#33784 02-02-2005 06:17 AM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) |  Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | Stephany, I am glad that you are looking into a second opinion.
I can only imagine what that doctor meant by "won't spread". Possibly, that she would pass away before such spread to another organ would become a problem? (which is a possibility) There are several people here that are going through treatments for metastic SCC cancer. Some others did not survive SCC that had spread to lungs, liver or brain. It also can spread to bone and other tissues.
It is unfortunate but this doctor might be right that your mother may not survive longer than a year. On the other hand I believe for peace of mind you all need to have another professional view from a Comprehensive Cancer Center. If she is already at a CCC then look for a different one in your area just to be sure that the second opinion is not biased by the reputation of the first doctor.
Take care
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
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#33785 02-02-2005 11:19 AM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 98 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 98 | I sent you a private message
Was Primary caregiver to my mom who had stage IV, SCC, Supraglottic with Mets to 4 nodes. Diagnosed Feb 04, died unexpectedly from complications from treatment December 17, 2004.
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#33803 02-01-2005 06:09 AM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 134 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | OP Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 134 | Thank you Daniel and Karen,
My mom is 65 and basically had just a surgery the first time and then surgery and radiation the second time. She never had chemo. Regarding the spreading, Imeant it does not mestastasize. It does not spread to organs. That is what the doc told us. That the cancer will just beat her down and she will die of something secondary. This is so hard to even type. I dont know if my mom would be up to a second opinion. She loves her doc and supposedly, he is suppose to be a good doctor here in LA. It is a good idea though. I will suggest it to my dad and my mom. Thanks so much
Stephany
Stephany.Daughter of mother who passed away 3/26/05 from Recurrent Gum Squamous Cell Carcinoma. She had 3 surgeries, and 6 weeks radiation, and then passed due to infection. I miss her very much. She was 65 years young when she passed. Love you Mom!
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#33804 02-01-2005 12:11 PM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | Stephany, Either this doctor did not graduate or someone did not hear correctly.  This cancer does in fact spread, it does in fact spread to organs, and I really think you need to get your mother to another cancer center NOW. Do not wait, call today! PS, in a different post you asked me if I thought her draining wound was thrush, the answer is no. It sounds to me to be a fistula. Fistulas happen when bad stuff wants to get out of the body. Cancer can cause a fistula as can infections or other fluids that need a way out. I don't like that her doctor isn't explaining things well. It may be that he is right; that her cancer is not curable, but she should be able to have chemo to slow it down. GET THAT SECOND OPINION. I am sorry that this is happening to you and your family.
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
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#33805 02-01-2005 04:47 PM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 98 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 98 | After just going through this with my mom, and losing the fight. I just do not understand how doctors can say there is no more they can do, when in fact they do not even know if the cancer has returned. Something can be done and something should be done! Please stephany i know how hard this is. I was my mother main caregiver and she fought like hell to beat this, she too had a doctor who she had for over 10 years. Were we at a major cancer center i believe i would still have my mom. Try to have her get a second oponion, You do not want to have to live with the what ifs. Sorry i'm ramblim.
Was Primary caregiver to my mom who had stage IV, SCC, Supraglottic with Mets to 4 nodes. Diagnosed Feb 04, died unexpectedly from complications from treatment December 17, 2004.
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#33806 02-01-2005 08:21 PM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 134 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | OP Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 134 | Karen and Mark,
Thank you so much for your messages. After reading them, I called my dad and sister and everyone is in agreement that we should get a second opinion. Thanks so much. Regarding the not spreading issue, the doctor is highly respected in LA and he did say that. He stated it stays localized and does not spread to organs. That is what he said. Karen, what happened with your mom? I agree that we should do everything we can and I appreciate your advice. It means so much to me. Thanks again
Love
Stephany
Stephany.Daughter of mother who passed away 3/26/05 from Recurrent Gum Squamous Cell Carcinoma. She had 3 surgeries, and 6 weeks radiation, and then passed due to infection. I miss her very much. She was 65 years young when she passed. Love you Mom!
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#33807 02-01-2005 08:26 PM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 134 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | OP Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 134 | Ken,
I cant believe all you went through. Thank you for the advice. The doctor told us yesterday that to do HBO treatments would be like throwing gasoline on a fire. He suspects her cancer is back but cant confirm without a biopsy, and she cant do that. Ken, I wish she could do the treatments but he strongly suspects her cancer is back. We are not giving up and getting a second opinion. Glad to hear you are doing better.
God Bless you
Stephany
Stephany.Daughter of mother who passed away 3/26/05 from Recurrent Gum Squamous Cell Carcinoma. She had 3 surgeries, and 6 weeks radiation, and then passed due to infection. I miss her very much. She was 65 years young when she passed. Love you Mom!
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#33808 02-02-2005 06:17 AM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | Stephany, I am glad that you are looking into a second opinion.
I can only imagine what that doctor meant by "won't spread". Possibly, that she would pass away before such spread to another organ would become a problem? (which is a possibility) There are several people here that are going through treatments for metastic SCC cancer. Some others did not survive SCC that had spread to lungs, liver or brain. It also can spread to bone and other tissues.
It is unfortunate but this doctor might be right that your mother may not survive longer than a year. On the other hand I believe for peace of mind you all need to have another professional view from a Comprehensive Cancer Center. If she is already at a CCC then look for a different one in your area just to be sure that the second opinion is not biased by the reputation of the first doctor.
Take care
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
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#33809 02-02-2005 11:19 AM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 98 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 98 | I sent you a private message
Was Primary caregiver to my mom who had stage IV, SCC, Supraglottic with Mets to 4 nodes. Diagnosed Feb 04, died unexpectedly from complications from treatment December 17, 2004.
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