Neck cancer…the pros and cons

Hi and welcome. 

PCH said:

Chemo/radiation is not (apparently) an option for the secondary.

What sort of cancer have you been diagnosed with ? 
That might help somebody give an informed reply. 
You are right in that a neck dissection can have serious side effects and that depends on how much is removed surgically. There are many of us here who have had a dissection but that was for SCC in the lymph nodes. 

It is a secondary “metastatic squamous cell carcinoma”. As I said, they can’t find the primary…so far. That is all I have. It is not a Lymphoma apparently, although they plan to take as many of those out along with tonsils that remain and anything else that might be a ‘target’…as well as the primary, if it is there.

I suppose the question I am thinking about is about all the potential side effects vs living with what I have.

Ah. I misunderstood. I thought you meant it wasn’t in your lymph node. Yes you have secondary spread to a  lymph node from somewhere in the oropharynx. Hopefully they will find the primary in your throat which they do most of the time. 
To be truthful if you do nothing it will kill you. 
CRT would do too much damage over a big area which is why they are not considering it though if they do find the primary in your throat you might be offered it targeted there. 
Have a look at the profile of one of our members PFJTHS 

Just click on his name. 
It might give you an insight 

Many thanks. That is the sort of clarity I was seeking. Also the lengthy timeline from PFJTHS was most enlightening. Thanks again.

HI I had a small cell carcinoma in my tonsil bed ( tonsils  removed as kid). This was my primary though. I had  neck dissection  for removal of lymph nodes ( all were clear). I was cut from back of ear to chin. Healed very quickly,  I'm now 8 weeks post op and scar is nearly invisible.  I then had tumour removed a week later by Tors robotic surgery. They were happy with margins so no more treatment  just waiting for the first  dreaded scan in July.

I would listen to your team as they know  what they are doing. I was dead set against having surgery but it's turned out for the  best.

GOOD LUCK.

That is SO helpful.  Thank you.

It’s a rock and a hard place scenario… right now I wish I hadn’t had a neck dissection, but will I feel like that in a few months as I heal. My compromise was I didn’t have radiation on top, but again that may or may not have been a good decision, but it was MY decision and it’s MY body. Some friends of mine have gone down a different route with other holistic therapies. I chose somewhere between the two. You will have more information after the MRI with contrast. I’m having one next week so cross fingers!

Many thanks. Take care

Hi PCH, I am happy to have a discussion through the messaging part of this app if that helps.  Just send me a message.

Thank you so much for your insights. I am waiting for the MRI which I hope will inform things and produce the final piece of the jigsaw before what now seems to be the inevitable surgery. Once I have the results and analysis of the MRI I may well take you up on your kind offer.