After 4 years the basaloid type squamous cells from Tonsil Cancer have presented themselves in my liver. There is one large tumor and two smaller ones. The outlook is 3 months without treatment and 10 months with treatments. No one,of course, can say for sure how long you will live. The treatment I chose is Methotrexate. An injection once a week, with very little side effects. The other choice was cisplatin, we all know about cisplatin! The benefits of ciplatin were not much better than Methotrexate. So I chose the one with the least side effects. I had my first shot on Wednesday. and I have to say, I could feel it working right away. It went right away to my liver, which is just below your breastbone, I always thought it was lower and also I could feel it in my neck where I had surgery for the original. It is reducing the size of the tumor.I can feel that it is smaller when I lay on my stomach.I am trying to get an appointment here with a liver specialist, but the medical oncologist(chemo doctor) thinks the mass might be too large for surgery. So I've contacted friends in New York City who work for years in Hospital Administration, to see if a specialist in New York might have some other ideas. I feel as though the Methotrexate is just a standard palliative practice. And is not intended to prolong my lifespan. The paradox is that even if you shink the tumors by 50, 60% it doesn't increase longievty. All this is very unusual here, out of 1000 patients only 8 have had distant mets, mostly to lungs,bone and liver. I'm the only one with just liver mets. Has anyone out there heard of this and someone who survived? By the way, check your stomach area if you feel any hard mass get it looked at! I only had CTScans to the head and neck alone. Thanks, Tom Roussell

So sorry to hear this news, Tom. But like you say no one can determine how long you will live. I have an old pastor friend who had a liver transplant. his body did not like the new one and he had many problems and they gave him less than a year to live... that was about 14 yrs ago and i ran into his wife a few weeks ago and she said he is still going ... working part time and while not doing great healthwise he is still managing and enjoying life - so this goes to show doctors only know what the book says, and only God knows for sure.

I wish you the very best - Have you contacted the Cancer center of america? I have heard sometimes they are able to offer treatments that no one else can?

PS I used to take methotrexate for my arthritis treatment. it is not too bad and never had annoying side effects which cisplatin is notorious for, so i do not blame you for choosing it. i am not sure how effective it would be in the treatment of cancer ... but i hope it works well for you until or unless another treatment option is available.

So sorry to hear about the liver mets Tom. I am very glad to hear that you are seeking out additional opinions. I'm afraid I am not much help as far as knowing about anyone who has had the same experience, but I know I can be of help in offering prayers for your continued strength as you go forward. We are here for you.

Donna