Metastatic head and neck cancer-- need hope
Hi, my husband's yearly pet scan showed metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with recurrence in the mediastinal nodes post laryngectomy and bilateral neck dissection following one year of treatment. Primary site all clear. Liver, pancreas, brain, bone, all clear. Doctor suggests weekly systemic chemotherapy with carboplatin, paclitaxel and Cetuximab for eight weeks and then review. He said cure is not possible. Would appreciate any positive input that would give us some hope.
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Hi S. - There is always hope - that can never be taken away from you. Even when reading the most dismal statistics, remember that no one can know your husband's statistics. A diagnosed occurrence of cancer is as unique as the patient as are the responses to treatment. That being said, recurrences do create difficulties. You didn't mention what type of treatment your husband had. Radiation or radiation plus chemo? What type of chemo if so? Has he been treated with cisplatin prior? There have been advances made in immunotherapy especially for those who have been treated prior with cisplatin and then experienced recurrence. For instance, I just read about Opdivo (Nivolumab) which is used as a second line treatment for this particular type of recurrence. This is in Phase III clincial trials. Ask questions. Get a second opinion. This particular physician wants to use a combo to treat. Maybe another physician has had good response using a different method. Coming here to ask questions is a good start. Never stop being curious!
Thank you so much for your reply. Yes, he did have cisplatin based chemo<br />
along with his radiation but that was a very low dose just to enhance the<br />
effect of radiation, what they term as adjuvant chemo-radiation for six<br />
weeks.<br />
This metastasis occurred one year post treatment. He has already finished<br />
two chemos and so far he is taking it well. You are absolutely right. Hope<br />
is everything and there is always hope. My husband is very positive and is<br />
leading a totally normal life. We are going to give it our best fight.<br />
Thank you so much for your positive comments.<br />
<br />
Yes, did mention nivolumab to the doctor. He is keeping that for the 2nd<br />
line chemo but he is also hoping that he may not require it. We are all<br />
praying for the same if the tumor responds well to this chemo. Thanks once<br />
again and God bless!<br />
Lots of new treatments becoming available soon that are improving survival and quality of life; http://news.cancerconnect.com/opdivo-improves-survival-head-neck-cancer/
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