TNM predictions , how accurate will this be?

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Hi,

I have received my diagnosis of ' superficial moderatley differentiated squamous cell carcinoma' in the right buccal mucosa and in one weeks time I will have a CT and MRI scan. 

I received a copy of the doctors letter to the gp where he states my tnm to likely be T2 N1 MX . 

Firstly , my reading ( hospital given info) does not mention an X and I'm wondering if this means unknown or don't want to predict? 

Secondly, should I take this as what is happening right now or not? Can this change or become very different after my tests?

Would they have said if it was hpv related? I was asked a lot about relatives being from western seaboard or relatives with this type of cancer so this leads me to believe they think I've inherited it. 

Thanks in advance 

  • Hi  

    cancer research have a very good explanation of tumour staging here 

    https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/mouth-cancer/stages-types-grades/stages-oropharyngeal#:~:text=There%20are%204%20main%20T,but%20no%20larger%20than%204cm.

    It can change after scans. 
    As far as I recall HPV is associated more with oropharyngeal cancer rather than anywhere else in the mouth. 
    I’m not sure whether cancer anywhere else is routinely stained for HPV. It’s something to ask your consultant 
    If your cancer is HPV related it certainly isn’t inherited. It’s caused by a virus that you caught years ago and which has remained dormant 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

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

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  • PS MX means distant spread can’t be measured because you’ve had no scan to look 

    oral cancers are a bit different from ones in the throat and scientists are looking for genetic bio markers, hence the questions.They are looking at possible  inheritance of an oral cancer susceptibility gene

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

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

    Community Champion badge
  • I am always in awe at how knowledgeable you and Hazel are. You always explain in terms that are easier to understand ( not that others are not knowledgeable) not being insulting to anyone. You help so many people on here 

  • Why thank you Innocent

    We try to help where we can. The whole thing is so shocking you end up like a rabbit in headlights and don’t ask questions. There’s never time for that necessary reflection before the initial consultations end 

    The  other thing that has moved the goal posts is that we have access to our notes immediately. They are written between clinicians in medical language. 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

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

    Community Champion badge
  • Hi Debbie. We all remember the scared rabbit in headlight feeling. I look at it this way someone on cruk helped me everyday  . We became friends and met up it was her hubby that was 2 years in front of me. Sadly Emma passed away suddenly just as we arrived into Spain this trip. A totally different cancer. So in her memory I’ll continue to pop on here to pass my knowledge on while ever it’s useful. It’s a whirlwind as we all know in the beginning. 
    Hugs Hazel 

    Hazel aka RadioactiveRaz 

    My blog is www.radioactiveraz.wordpress.com  HPV 16+ tonsil cancer Now  6 years  post treatment. 35 radiotherapy 2 chemo T2N2NM.Happily getting on with living always happy to help

    2 videos I’ve been involved with raising awareness of HNC and HPV cancers 

    https://www.instagram.com/merckhealthcare/reel/DBs8Y0niJ8N/