Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#87879 01-11-2009 09:16 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2
Gayle19 Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2
Hello all,

I was dx'd in Dec '08 with clear cell adenocarcinoma of a minor salivary gland in the soft tissue adjacent to the hard palate. This is early stage T1N0M0 with no infiltration into the bone of the hard palate. The recommended surgery is additional excision of soft tissue (beyond the bx site) and partial palatectomy.

I'm not clear why the palatectomy is recommended since there is no infiltration into the bone (per the pathologist). I'm told "this is the standard procedure." I'm getting a second opinion later this week.

I'm a serious classical singer and cannot get any answer on how a partial palatectomy will affect my ability to sing. Anyone know?

Just getting acquainted with these boards. Perhaps this is addressed somewhere.




Gayle
Clear cell adenocarcinoma of minor salivary gland, T1N0M0 (stage I), dx'd 12/2008, recommended surgery: partial excision of hard palate soft tissue. Non-smoker, social drinker, no family hx of Ca except in 2 heavy smokers.
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 309
Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Offline
Platinum Member (300+ posts)

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 309
hello and welcome. i do not have the answer you desire but wanted to drop a note of welcome and let you know i wish you the very best on your new road ... i am sure someone will know more about your exact concerns, and be able to give you an answer shortly.

blessings, Rita


Rita - Age 44
wife, mother of 4 - ages 3,16,21,24 & grandma to 1
(R upper) Maxillectomy 8/8/08 - UW / Seattle, WA.

===============================

"Those who think by the inch and speak by the yard, should be kicked by the foot."


Joined: May 2006
Posts: 720
Likes: 1
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Offline
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: May 2006
Posts: 720
Likes: 1
Gayle --

Look for postings by August, who also had a partial palatectomy and also sings. You could also click on User List (at the top of each page) to find her profile and send her an e-mail or a private message.




Leslie

April 2006: Husband dx by dentist with leukoplakia on tongue. Oral surgeon's biopsy 4/28/06: Moderate dysplasia; pathology report warned of possible "skip effect." ENT's excisional biopsy (got it all) 5/31/06: SCC in situ/small bit superficially invasive. Early detection saves lives.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,311
Senior Patient Advocate
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Senior Patient Advocate
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,311
I got 5 opinions and they were all different in some respects. Glad I did!! I went with a CCC which was my last one.


David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,219
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,219
Leslie is right. August (real name Colleen) will be a great source of information for you. She is a caring person with a great deal of information on this subject. I know that Colleen sings in a chorale group and also does solos.

There is no question that after removal of part of the palate and the use of an obturator, your voice would certainly be affected. A second or even a third opinion certainly is a great idea.

Good luck.

Jerry


Jerry

Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.

"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 309
Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Offline
Platinum Member (300+ posts)

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 309
colleen had the maxillectomy as i did - so it will differ. they did remove part of the palate with both of us, but probably a big difference from what you will have done.

colleen still sings - a good fitting obturator is the key and that can be tricky to get a good fit for a while ... as the tissue is constantly changing causing a need for refits ...

i too used to sing - probably still could but it would be different ... when i have the permanent obturator made in a few months i hope to have a good fit like colleen has, and this may make singing more as my old norm.

best wishes - i am sure colleen will be along soon smile


Rita - Age 44
wife, mother of 4 - ages 3,16,21,24 & grandma to 1
(R upper) Maxillectomy 8/8/08 - UW / Seattle, WA.

===============================

"Those who think by the inch and speak by the yard, should be kicked by the foot."


Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 794
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Offline
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 794
Hey, All! I will be more than happy to answer any and all questions about my surgery and singing. I am likely more of an amateur than Gayle is, but music and singing are my chief pleasures in life, and when I had this surgery, that was my first question. It seems ironic that I had worked for a full year organizing an audition-only 40-voice choral group in my city, and after our first concert, I was dx'd with OC. I missed one concert.....Then I had to sing alto instead of soprano in the Mozart Requiem, since I knew both parts already....and haven't missed another concert since, singing soprano as always. I don't sing as well as before, but part of that reason is that my laryngeal nerve was insulted during my neck dissection, and my vocal cords didn't function properly for a while. I still don't feel like my voice is quite the same as before, but maybe I just got older without noticing! My enunciation is not quite perfect sometimes, but at others it's fine, depending on how tired I am.

It's not the end of the world, though for a singer, it's more disappointing to have this surgery than for one for whom that's not a consideration.

You WILL continue to sing. There's no doubt about that! and there is no reason that the obturator should compromise your voice, especially if the soft palate isn't involved. Your oral cavity will be changed somewhat, by the presence of the obturator, so you'll have to train to accommodate for that change.

I think that you can proceed with confidence that you will NOT have to give up your music. You might have to change your technique a bit....and you might find that you do better with some types of music than others. The problem with an obturator is getting it to fit well enough that air doesn't escape and cause nasality. It just takes time, and trial and error.

I still do sing some solos...not like before, but I'm still "out there." I cantor at church and get compliments...and I feel that I am a significant contributor in the Chorale.

I would certainly get more opinions. I don't know why the surgeon will take bony tissue if the tumor is in the salivary gland......Perhaps he meant the soft palate? did he say anything about removing part of the maxilla and a tooth or two? Yes, I would certainly ask HIM for more explanation, and I would tell him that, since you need to do everything you can to preserve your singing voice, you plan to get another opinion. Most dr.s understand, and if he doesn't, then maybe he's not the right one for you anyway. As long as you are going to the trouble for a second opinion, I sure would go to a cancer center with lots of OC experience.

Please don't hesitate to post questions here or send me a personal email. My son is getting married soon, and I don't come to the forum every day, so perhaps a personal email would get quicker attention. Jerry alerted me to the fact that you had posted with questions that I could maybe help with. I hope I can!

XO--Colleen

Last edited by August; 01-13-2009 09:31 AM.

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 2009
Posts: 2
Gayle19 Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2
Thank you everyone for your responses and excellent information.

I did just get another opinion, both have been at major cancer centers in So Calif. Based on my cell type (clear cell adenoCa), this MD recommended a much less invasive procedure. Unless the pathologist was incorrect about invasion into the bone (I doubt the path was wrong, it has been confirmed by two different pathologists), there will be no excision of bone at all, only soft tissue.

So, I will be having the less invasive surgery, and feel so much better about the situation.

Gayle


Gayle
Clear cell adenocarcinoma of minor salivary gland, T1N0M0 (stage I), dx'd 12/2008, recommended surgery: partial excision of hard palate soft tissue. Non-smoker, social drinker, no family hx of Ca except in 2 heavy smokers.
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,219
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,219
Gayle,

That's great news. Good luck with with the surgery.

Jerry


Jerry

Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.

"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"

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