I've been a member of this board for three years, having promised my husband's Aunt Rosemary (who I love dearly) that I would walk this journey with her every step of the way. Thank the good Lord, Aunt Ro is physically doing well (no reoccurence), but has been depressed for a year. Late last week we found out that my husband's mother's lymph node biopsy came back SCC, unknown primary. She went to an ENT a few days ago and he took some biopsies and we're awaiting the results to see if they've found the primary. She might also have a mets in her lung, as her scan came back with a mass there.

The question is- how often does this happen to more than one person in a family? Is there a genetic predisposition to this particular type of cancer? or is two sisters having this just one hell of a bad coincidence?


Lisa S.D.
Niece to Aunt Ro- April 2003- SCC base of tongue stage 3/4, mets to floor of mouth, one saliva gland and one lymph node.

hi Lisa,

i don't know the answer to your question,

yet i do know a husband and wife who both have had oral cancer... about 4 or 5 years apart. they are both doing well.

best wishes,
cu,
larryb

Lisa - Two members of the same family getting oral cancer is certainly unusual, but not impossible. By the laws of averages, there is no reason that every other person on the block could not come down with oral cancer - its just very, very unlikely. Genetics are believed to play a role in certain cancers, though to my knowledge there is no reliable genetic link for oral cancers. Environmentally, smoking and alcohol are belived to be linked to oral cancers.

There is a local electrician here who has been hit by lightning on seven different occasions! What are the odds against that happening??!!

My best to your aunt Rosemary. Be strong, Tom

I do wonder about the genetic predisposition...my father was dead at the age of 48yrs from upper colon cancer; his mother died from bowel cancer; my mother now has ovarian cancer; my great aunt had liver cancer; my maternal grandmother had breast cancer; my great grandfather also died from cancer; and I don't know how many more else, as my family is a bit disjointed. My elder sister still smokes, plus some friends of mine; my horrible stepfather who was an alcoholic and heavy smoker lived to his late 70's never suffered this disease. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to why some of us are afflicted. Most of my family are/were healthy eaters, lots of fruit and veg, exercise, but I still don't understand why some people have to go through this, when they have been good people....okay, apologies for my rant...still scared.

Cheers!

Tizz

SAME APPLIES TO ME BOTH MY BROTHER AND I BOTH HAVE HAD LARYNGECTOMY MY TWIN BRO; COLOSTOMY TAKE CARE ..MAZ

Just a thought: environmental factors might explain why siblings (brothers & sisters) get the same type of cancer. Of course, genetics also would explain it! - Candace

because of the HPV factor, my wife sees an ENT every 6 months. i have no interest in her getting this nasty cancer.

cu,
larryb

both of Jack's parents had cancer they survived and then both developed leukemia secondary to radiation and chemotherapy. I think there's a link somewhere that we don't understand - he didn't smoke or drink. I don't care whether it's genetic or environmental I just want it taken seriously and make sure he's being monitored.
Regards JoAnne

Tizz - At some point in the future, someone will discover that many of the foods we now fear are comparatively harmless, and some that we were sure protected us - didn't.

My wife and one daughter eat so carefully. I hope it pays off for them - even though I am skeptical. Someday, all these healthy eating people will be lying in hospitals dying of nothing!! (Of course I will not get to see it, because I will have finally paid the ulimate penalty for all my excesses......) Right? TJ

Brian,
pleae comment on JoAnne's post - this is the first I have heard of radiation and chemo causing leukemia (not that it can't cause other nasty things down the road. Is this one more thing we have to add to out anxiety baggage or a coincidence?

All I could find was pretty murky - mainly to do with childhood, testicular, ovarian and/or breast cancer.

Here's a good link to all of the other stuff to worry about:

http://www.meb.uni-bonn.de/cancer.gov/CDR0000062870.html