#68492 01-26-2008 05:03 PM | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 9 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 9 | I was just diagnosed with Tonsil Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Is that considered Oral Cancer? Has anyone else out there have or had this? Can you give me some sort of direction of what I should expect?
Age 47, Right tonsil removed 1/18/08, large mass in right side of neck. Both have been diagnosed SCC Stage IV, on 1/24/08. Right radical neck dissection and left tonsil removal 2/8/08
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I 'm sure you will get an answer from someone real soon.. Iknow I have seen it in these forums. Did you have a good Dr or oral surgeon give you this diagnosis? Get a 2nd opinion before you get to worked up about it. Make sure they do a biopsy too.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 939 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 939 | Ron,
Yes, SCC of the Tonsil is considered Oral Cancer.
Take some time to read thru the forum topics. Start with the first one and read. Then, Introduce Yourself in the second one and a lot of folks will answer you. You have come to the right place for both technical answers and moral support. We are all in this together.
Note the signature in my post. You can fill this in under "My Stuff" so we know what is going on with you. Of course, right now you are reeling with the news of your diagnosis and don't know where to turn. We understand and have been there but knowledge is power and this website will provide you with lots of information.
Good luck...now read, read, read.
Deb
Deb..caregiver to husband, age 63 at diagnosis, former smoker who quit in 1997.
DIAGNOSIS: 6/26/07 SCC right tonsil/BOT T4N0M0
TREATMENT START: 8/9/07 cisplatin/taxol X 7..IMRT twice daily X 31.5.
TREATMENT END: 10/1/07
PEG OUT: 1/08
PORT OUT: 4/09
FOLLOWUP: Now only annual exams. ALL CLEAR!
Passed away 1/7/17 RIP Bill
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 794 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 794 | Welcome.......so sorry that you need to be here, but with SCC of any part of the mouth and throat, THIS is the very best place you could come for valid scientific information, and for compassionate advice.
You might want to go to the search feature and type in "tonsil". You will bet tons of listings......and go to the information pages and do the same.
You can even start a new "thread" and title it something specific like, "I need information about SCC of the tonsil." Then you will get answers from people who have had that exact thing.
Much of the information here is the same for all of us, and some is specific to the particular situation of the individual.
Keep exploring the site.
I'm sorry that you have reason to be here, but this site is full of caring, hopeful people who will help you get through this.
Colleen--T-2N0M0 SCC dx'd 12/28/05...Hemi-maxillectomy, partial palatectomy, neck dissection 1/4/06....clear margins, neg. nodes....no radiation, no chemo....Cancer-free at 4 years!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 82 Senior Member (75+ posts) | | Senior Member (75+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 82 | Ron,
I know "relax" is not something you want to hear right now, and I understand... we all understand. Just as everyone has said, you have probably done the best thing by finding this site... great advice, compassionate, understanding people, and tons of information relevant to what's up with all of us. Search for it and you'll probably find it, and if you don't, post a question, and sooner or later you'll get to the bottom of it. Maintain your cool and stay as focused as you can.
John - Proud to be here...
Hemiglossectomy 08/02/07, 4 lower molars extracted prior to 6 weeks IMRT 09/10/07-10/19/07, SCC w/met to L neck lymph nodes, rad only, no ND. PEG 10/26/07-02/05/08.
"We're all in the same boat in a stormy sea, therefore we owe one another a terrible loyalty."
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 |
Ron:
Welcome to OCF. The PET scan will tell your doctors how far the cancer has advanced. At this point its too early to give you much advice. Once you speak to your doctors about their recomended course of action, then its easier to know what to expect. The only advice I can give you for right now is to drink lots of water and eat alot.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Ron,, I like that avatar LOL > it's describes the attitude you need to kick ass with this OC. Good luck and we will all be here for you.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Technically it is cancer of the Oropharnyx (which is considered Head & Neck). Click on this link: http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/f_guidelines.asp?button=I+Agree and go to page "Orph-1". Welcome to the tonsil cancer club- we are many! This link can also be accessed from the resources on the main page along with a lot ot other great and uo to date information http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/resources/index.htm#government
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 214 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 214 | I am very sorry to have to welcome you to the 'Tonsil Cancer" club. The staging of your disease will dictate your treatment. As Ron said, try to keep your cool right now. If you have anxiety most doctors have no problem prescribing anti-anxiety drugs for cancer patients. Best of luck to you.
Left tonsil SCC, HPV+. T2N0M0. Tonsillectomy 3-07, bilateral radiation, cisplatin 3x, Tx completed 6-06. Clear PET 4-01-2008.
Thyroidectomy 5-9-08, resulting in permanent surgically-induced hypoparathyroidism and adrenal problems. Bummer.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Girlcat is spot on about the anti-anxiety meds. I took them for months. I am taking Valium now for other side effects and it works quite well for that as well.
I hope that you have stopped smoking.
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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