Small Cell

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Hi

I had my PET-CT and biopsy results through…

Staging still the same at 3C1 as in pelvic lymph nodes

But biopsy showed it’s small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma… 

Get full treatment plan next week but they’ve said I’ll start with chemo - Carboplatin & Etoposide before radical chemoradiation

Gutted I’ll lose my hair… it’s the one thing I was really hoping wouldn’t happen

Anyone else been through treatment for small cell?

  • Hi  

    I hope you don’t mind me replying as I didn’t have small cell, but I didn’t want to pass by without answering you. I remember others in the group doing chemo before chemoradiation so I hope someone might pick up on your post. I was offered a chemo trial before chemoradiation but refused it-might have been really helpful as it turns out but I try not to look backwards. But that wasn’t the same scenario as you’re facing.

    Yes, losing your hair will I’m sure be very difficult, and very hard to accept. I used to think of my losses along the way of having cancer as a means to an end. It will grow back, but hair is a big part of our identity, so I’m not minimising that aspect for you at all. 

    This will give you the best chance, if you can try to look at it like that, but it must be very, very difficult for you, and I’m sorry you’re having to deal with so much.

    Let us know how you get on if you can and we’ll be here for you.

    Sarah xx


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  • Hi Sarah

    How are you?

    Thank you so much for replying :-)

    It’s been a bit of a crap week tbh! I’d taken everything else on the chin throughout and then I just got so cross on hearing this.

    I know it sounds silly, but it was just one thing I was holding on to.

    Have been looking at wigs etc and it’ll just be another thing I’ll just have to get on with but know I’ll have a little cry.

    Am debating whether I ask my hairdresser to shave it out of salon hours, or if I get together with a close friend & get her to do it and have a few drinks!

    x

  • Oh, I’m doing fine, thanks for asking. I didn’t lose my hair, but I understand that your scalp can get very sore and it might be better to shave before things go too far. I’d like the idea of a friend and a few drinks personally! 

    It doesn’t sound silly at all to be thinking of your hair-it’s a big thing for you to have to lose, and it’s fine to cry about what you’re losing…perfectly understandable. It’s been a horrible week for you and when you get a bit of a sucker punch like this it knocks you back. But come back with your positive mode on and get your focus in gear to deal with this. Just deal with one day at at a time, one thing at a time. 

    Sarah xx


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    Cervical Cancer Forum

    Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

  • You’re so right Sarah!

    Going to take the weekend to process everything, spend time with a friend and then next week I’m back to my pragmatic self and ready to give this my all!

    I hope you have a lovely weekend and thank you again xx

  • Hello 

    I too started to loose my hair after the second round of treatment. I decided to have it shaved off. However, it made my head really sore and uncomfortable.  I had the same situation occur 6month later after my hair had grown back again, when I had to go for more chemotherapy. This time when my hair started to fall out, I went to the hairdresser and they did a 'number one ' with the shaver and it was much better(comfortable)!

    I hope this helps

  • Thank you so much for the top tip, I really do appreciate it ! It’s all these little things that can actually make all the difference to coping with the journey… thank you so much x