Husband got metastatic SCC in lymph node, P16-

Rose01924 said:

It seems like a -P16/-HPV is much worse and it seems to be taking ages to get the information from all the scans about the primary and I just want him to start treatment if he can.

Hi. Both HPV + and - oropharyngeal cancers respond well to CRT so please try not to stress too much. Google is not our friend at this crucial early phase. 
I was nearly four months from finding my cancer to start of treatment and I am fast approaching seven years. 
You’re right in that HPV driven cancer has a better long term prognosis but it’s possible to be P16 negative and still HPV positive. The P16 test which is a stain is a surrigate marker only and isn’t infallible. You could always ask the pathologist to check for HPV DNA which is more accurate. 

Hi please try to keep off Dr Google you can end up down rabbit holes that are hard to escape from

. Time-wise I found my lump  in Spain February 2018 we were in extended cycling holiday I too was and are once again fit. I cycled 1100 km with Larry the lump  thought i had pulled a muscle. It was only  at the instance of a friend whose hubby had recently died that made me go to go in our return may 2018. GP straight away put me in the HNC cancer pathway. Treatment started 14 July and here u am 7 years later living s good life. They won’t starts treatment until the scans are done and they’ve looked for the primary a few weeks won’t make a difference look at my timeline and Danis  he’s in the system please try to trust it  nit easy ti do but if the promarynfi7nd they have that to target m often it’s not then they target both sides  I had 75% radiotherapy on right side and 25% on left to mop up any stray cellls  

now you have found us on here stick with us no questions every too silly to ask. But steer away from dr Google. 

hygs Hazel. 

Thank you. I will try. 
He’s exhausted now so I am worried it’s the cancer but I suppose it’s more the emotional drain of finding out and not sleeping well rather than he’s suddenly getting symptoms. 
He is also blaming himself for this and he he is a completely average a few drinks a week drinker and a non smoker so am trying to reassure him it is not in any way his fault 

Hi try to keep in forefront of your mind head and neck cancers respond extremely well to treatment.

There’s lots if us in here to testify to that. I remember once I got my diagnosis I thought ok I’m doomed it was when i met my oncologist ( never thought I would say those words ) that he was looking to cure me I thought  ok time to get a grip. I can  do this. It’s only natural he will be worrying inwardly I cried at 0300 many a morn)ng sat on kitchen floor my hubby bless him was fast asleep. 
Tell him not to blame himself I didn't drink or smoke  20 years or so since I last had either but hey ho  I got tonsil cancer. 
Have you had his HPV status I didn’t get mine untill  week before treatment started everyine thought it would  be as that’s the fastest HNC in numbers at the minute. But HPV negative cancers also get cured so don’t fret. 
Read mine or Danis blog or look at Peters experience  am sure he will pop on at some point. 

hugs Hazel

Yeah it’s HPV negative unfortunately but like you say that’s not the end of the world just makes it harder

i see you were treated at Leeds, we will be there too x

Hi Rose. Yes I was treated at Leeds cancer centre you’re in good hands there. I’m still in contact with a few people there.

The maggies centre is well worth a call into. It was being built whilst i was in treatment there. 
my hospital was Pinderfields Wakefield for my reviews but my oncologist kept me for annual reviews. 

The staff at Bexley are all kind and considerate when he has his mask made ask for eyeholes To be  cut out that does make a huge difference  if you read my blog you can see how much they cut out for me  

hpv negative tumours also respond well remember that  

hugs 

Hazel x