My husband - new diagnosis

Hi Worrylo and welcome to the community. 
Sorry you are here but it’s the right place to swap stories and get help. 
A lymph node in the neck with cancer is the classic presentation for HPV positive SCC. The primary is usually in the tonsils or base of tongue.
The good news is that this cancer is curable with a success rate of over 90%
 Radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy is the standard treatment. There are types of radiotherapy that can be more effective regarding long term side effects with advanced disease. 
I an nearly five years clear of base of tongue  cancer and am living well 

Worrylo said:

I have read that they have a new form of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Is this only available at the Royal Marsden?

The Dysphagia-Aspiration Related Structures (DARS) trial compared dysphagia-optimized intensity-modulated radiotherapy (DO-IMRT) with standard IMRT.

Reducing radiation to muscles involved in swallowing

DO-IMRT optimizes IMRT to reduce the risk of swallowing difficulties, known as dysphagia. This common side effect of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer can, in some cases, leave patients needing a permanent feeding tube. DO-IMRT lowers the risk of dysphagia by reducing radiation to the pharyngeal muscles, which support swallowing.

This is what you probably mean. It’s not so much new but more targeted and important with large tumours  Your husbands oncologist is the person to ask  

Its being trialled at the Marsden as you say. 
Please don’t rely on Google. It’s a minefield. The best places to ask your questions are here and your team. 
Please ask away. No question is daft and somebody here will have an answer. 

Hi Welcome from me  your hubby’s presentation sounds similar to mine HPV classic presentation  Our tumours respond well. To treaty over 90% cure rate. I’m  over 5 years post treatment happily living my life. Keep off dr google stick with us on here snd your husbands team. Chemo radiotherapy is the gold standard treatment ehrn there lymph node involvement. Treatment s hard but I did it I was 61 when diagnosed. Any questions ask in here we’re all happy to help. 

Hazel 

Hi 

It sounds like he has been diagnosed very quickly - which is great. His path of tests sounds exactly the same as mine - but it was 5 months before I got to treatment starting. I’m 56 and I ended chemo and radiotherapy 13 weeks ago - hard going but you get through it. I’m just waiting for my PET scan results. 

This forum has been very useful - the people who had treatment many years ago are so generous with their time and give a rounded view of the whole journey. 

I don’t know about the new form of radiotherapy that you mention, I wasn’t given that option. 

Get lots of rest and be kind to yourselves. 
Rachel 

Hi Worrylo

T2N1M0 tonsil cancer....diagnosed Feb2023....finished chemoradiotherapy June 2023 

As the other post treatment warriors on here have stated try to keep Google to a bare minimum....the quality of support from this forum is second to none...I am 69 and managed to complete treatment....not easy ....but the only real option for most.

Good Luck

Peter.

That sounds exactly like the start of my cancer story 18 months ago. HPV-related cancers are very curable, though the treatment is tough. From initial investigation to getting a full diagnosis and treatment plan is such a horrible, anxious time - after that you kind of know where you are and just get through it. I found this forum so helpful for info, advice and solidarity. Do ask all you like or just sound off. Sending love, 

Catriona

Dani is spot on. I presented with a swollen lymph node in my neck, biopsy showed same diagnosis as your husband. PET scan showed primary in base of tonsil. Both tonsils removed, base of the tongue removal. I didn’t need radiotherapy or chemotherapy as surgeon got it all with a good margin.  Some people may need further treatment, that would be explained to you. I am now in my third year clear. Stick with this group they were my life savers when I was worried or down, with excellent support and advice. The main thing the good people or her advised was stay off mr Google. 

Worrylo

your husbands story , snap, I presented to GP Sept 22 with lump on next, after initial misdiagnosis ( ingrown hair ) it was confirmed tonsil cancer which had spread to neck lymph’s . All I can say is read this forum and ask for advice when need. Everyone on here is great , Dani and Hazel are particularly helpful. Be prepared to take a year out of your life until it returns to some sort of new normal . My piece of advice is for RT , cream cream cream and more cream on neck during RT. I was told this at start but didn’t put enough on , my mistake . Also I think it’s Hazel or Dani who point out food becomes a fuel not a treat for quite a few months after RT. You’ll both get through it with hopefully only a few bumps along the road 

Thank you Brian for your kind words. 

Hope you’re keeping well all things considered. 

You’re right about the timeline. My oncologist told me that my cancer would take a year out of my life but he would do his best to cure me. It did and he did. 
 Not everybody needs RT which is the killer and why you mention food being fuel. Some “get away” with surgery. 
Whatever we end up with we are usually cured and living a life that’s pretty close to our old one. 

Thanks so much for all your messages. You have already made me feel more positive. I think once we have the results of PET scan and treatment plan I will be no doubt be back for more support. Thanks again