No treatment yet and mis diagnosis

Hi Sharon1 , your husband's condition sounds a wee bit like mine. I had tonsil (HPV) cancer that was treated with chemoradiation therapy. But within a year or so, lots of new tumours were found across both my lungs. At first they thought I had an aggressive new cancer, but tests then showed that cancer in my tonsil had in fact spread. 

I've recently finished a 2-year course of immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) and luckily I responded really well to treatment, and my tumours have either shrunk or have disappeared. I'm still stage 4 of course, but what was once a <1 yr to live diagnosis now has a much better prognosis.

If your husband has the right biomarkers, immunotherapy might help him a lot. But note that while Pembro has been a game changer for some people with head and neck cancer, it comes with its own risks, which can be very serious.  

With regard to the size of the tumours, if they are under 10mm, then they post little risk, but greater than 10mm, then they pose concern.

As your husband is relatively healthy, I think his oncologist should at least be checking that he has the right biomarkers for immunotherapy to work. That alone would be worth getting a second opinion on. 

I hope this helps. I Also kept a blog on what happened to me, and you can find that here (I"ve highlighted the post with immunotherapy only) https://ansmackay.wixsite.com/uclgeography/post/immunotherapy-the-revolution-in-cancer-treatment

Best, Anson

cc: Beesuit  

Hi Anson

Thank you so much for your reply .

I have read your blog too . It’s really helpful and informative. We were given the lengthy handouts about immunotherapy and it’s many side effects.

The oncologist did say he would be eligible for immunotherapy . I’m assuming a blood test he had determined that ?

He just said as the tumours have not grown significantly since May, it was advised to not start anything yet . He just kept mentioning not curative etc . It felt like he was writing him off but I rang the nurse afterwards who assured  me treatment would be offered should things change for the worse on his next scan (10-12 weeks time ) . As I mentioned the biggest of his tumours is 13mm,

Did you have any side effects with immunotherapy ?

Thank you again 

Sharon 

Thank you Anson. 
I’ll update the link in my lexicon you posted too 

Thanks Anson for a clear concise explanation. 

You are an inspiration to many of us. 

hugs Hazel