Surgery vs CRT

Hi, Chris, this really does make it hard to know what to do for the best. You could consider having the surgery, then you would always have CRT in reserve if it was needed. All the best whichever way you choose.

Ray.

Chris_2024 said:

I’m just a little confused

Hi Chris. 
I’m not surprised. 
if you are in the pathos trial who is in charge of decision making going forward? The surgeon the oncologist or both?

I must say that if my surgeon was pretty sure r that good margins were achieved and the was no cancer in the nodes after dissection I would abandon CRT for now as well. 

Hi Chris, my situation sounds very similar to yours.  Only my cancer started in my left tonsil and then went into a lymph node on the left side of my neck.  I had a Bilateral Tonsillectomy on the 29th August and in my consultation last week  the surgeon said that there wasn't enough margin and so they have to take some more out and he wants to do a Neck Dissection to remove the lymph node.  He asked if I would like to go on the PATHOS Trial (which he told me aims at reducing the amount of Chemo/Radio therapy to lessen  side effects.) 

I wasn't given the option of no surgery.  It was surgery and the full amount of Chemo/Radio therapy or surgery and the amount of Chemo/Radio therapy would be 'tailored to my needs'.  For me, it was a 'no brainer' and I have chosen the PATHOS Trial.  I have my 2nd surgery on the 23rd September.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Hugs

Hazel x

Hazel7797 said:

For me, it was a 'no brainer' and I have chosen the PATHOS Trial. 

Do you know whether you will have CRT? Or does that depend on your surgery pathology? 

Beesuit said:

Do you know whether you will have CRT? Or does that depend on your surgery pathology?

It depends on the pathology results Dani.  There are 3 groups, A, B, & C.  The people in group A are the 'lucky' ones who do not have to have chemo/radio therapy, group B has to have some radio/chemo therapy and group C the most chemo/radio therapy.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I am in group A.

Hugs

Hazel x

Hazel7797 said:

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I am in group A.

Mine are crossed for you too xx

Good evening Chris, i would go with what your consultant has recommended, and then as old biker has said you can keep the treatment for later if required. All the best.

                                                                             Chris 

Hi Chris,

I went down the surgical only route.  A different case to yours but I wanted to keep the CRT in reserve in case my cancer made a reappearance, which it did a year ago.  There is no way to tell if I had had CRT after surgery if that reappearance would not have happened.  However, I am comfortable with the choices I made.

One thing to remember is that surgeons are trained to perform surgery and cure that way.  Oncologists are trained in CRT and that is their preferred method.  Neither is right or wrong it is just their preferred method of working.

Thanks Dani xx

Hello again, 

I wanted to provide an update. I emailed my cancer nurse last night and she phoned me first thing this morning and asked if I could come in to meet face to face with my consultant today. I duly did and she allayed my fears and put my mind at ease. 

Surgery is my chosen route to proceed, followed by radiation (likely pathos group B) depending on pathology but my scans suggest that this would be likely. 

CRT is always an option for me post surgery and good to have in the back pocket if needed. Surgery pencilled in for Wed 25th  

thanks for the replies 

Chris