Stage 3-4 tonsil cancer

Hi Don’t stress about the staging I had 7 lymph nodes  and last month celebrated my 5 years all clear. Staging of oropharangheal  cancers isn’t the same as other cancers. The t number refers to tumour sizing.  Remember HPV driven tumours respond extremely well to treatment.  As for stats ignore them they are at best up to 5 years out of date.My  oncologist he would cure me and he did, he also said he would take a year out if my life he did that as well. Recovery is a marathon not a sprint any steps got me through it. 
 Keep positive read our stories treatments hard but if I can do it and thrive anyone can. Yes I do know quite a few whose staging was T3  and aT4 they’ve completed treatment and happily living their lives. 
Hugs Hazel 

Thank you Hazel… 

well they haven’t said it WILL cure him, they’ve said 80% chance I think and I’m thinking that’s due to the size of the thing!! And how long it took for diagnosis (18 months) and the fact it spread locally :( 

sorry, I’m normally positive and hopeful but for some reason today I’m just thinking ‘what if’… 

it’s nice to know some T3 and T4 people are cured.

his is T4N3M0… 

thanks again xx

Hi  oncologist exact words werd im looking to cure you which I took ok I’ll do everything in my power to help. Just keep in front if your mind that HPV tumours respond extremely well to treatment. I like I said had 7 lymph nodes which were on both sides of neck in tonsil and soft palate.Sll I csn say is trust in his team the hard part it seems now is getting into the system.  
higs Hazel 

Hi Rosie flower 

I have exact same diagnosis as your husband and I have to focus each and every day on the word CURABLE ! Was toldd99% chance then 90% but Im trying not yo focus on any of that just that fabulous word CURABLE hold it in your head and heart and take each day as it comes as we both have a long road ahead like Hazel and Dani said  to recovery xxx

Hi RosieFlower 

our cancers are stages differently to HPV negative tumours and are uniquely sensitive to radiation. There have been plenty of folk here with advanced disease who have survived and thrived. My oncologist told me to stay away from statistics. They are a generalisation and we are all individual. Trust your team. Anyway, 80% are pretty good odds....I'd take them. Good luck and stay with us. Hugs

Hi Rosie

i was diagnosed last October with stage 3 tonsil cancer which had spread to several lymph’s in neck also HPV. 30 RT and 5 cisplaten chemo ( supposed to be 6 but was hospitalised for last one due to not eating enough ) and got told treatment was successful in may this year exactly 7 months from start to finish. I never got a T number etc but intend to ask consultant about this at next check up. As everyone says it curable but rough. Listen to the two gurus that are Dani and Hazel and don’t be afraid to ask advice

Hello Rosie

I had stage 4 tongue cancer with lymph node spread & I'm fine now (touch wood). Wishing you and your husband well 

My husband has just been diagnosed with stage four tonsil cancer with they say a 30% chance. Is having 2 chemo sessions and radiotherapy 5 days a week for 6 weeks, is there hope for him

There are quite a few folk who have survived and are thriving after stage 4 throat cancer. I have a friend, I met here, who is alive, well, and climbing hills at two years post treatment. Quite a few others post here too so keep the faith Blossam . You can only do what you can do and try to stay positive.

Hi Blossam. I also know quite a few who have survived aT4 diagnosis. Is yiur husband HPV positive do you know. I. 5 years pos treatment I had 2 chemo and 35 radiotherapy sessions. With 7 affected lymph nodes yesterday I cycled 55 km in over 30 degrees heat.I was 61 when diagnosed how old is your husband. Remain positive.

hugs Hazel