Having a 'wobble' today!

Hazel7797 said:

I heard that that reduces the prognosis by 27% to 33% so, I must admit there were a few tears. 

Try not to worry. I know that seems simply words but ….. 

It’s why you have been allocated to group C in Pathos. The RT will take care of any stray cancer cells 
When the surgeon does a neck dissection they do t go looking for lymph nodes. Thats impossible. A good amount of tissue round the nodes is taken and the likelihood of clear margins is good. 
Ask your consultant. DOn’t  rely on Google that doesn’t have sight of your clinical notes. 
I was HPV positive but an ex smoker who enjoyed a more than occasional glass of wine. Even though I had given up smoking ten years before my cancer appeared Google gave me a reduced life.  Here I am nearly six years later. 

Beesuit said:

I was HPV positive but an ex smoker who enjoyed a more than occasional glass of wine. Even though I had given up smoking ten years before my cancer appeared Google gave me a reduced life.  Here I am nearly six years later. 

Thanks Dani, you always help me think more positively.  I appreciate it.

Hugs

Hazel x

I feel for you 

I have had months of  Investigations  and  a couple  of  the  Letters in the early  days have been completely  different  to what was Explained to me and it really  does knock you back 

Hazel

As Dani says it just means that there are some cancer cells in the tissue surrounding the lymph node.  They don't always look for that and report.  They had to go back and look at my lymph node again in pathology to determine if there was spread outside.  The CRT will catch any stray cells.

I've just looked at some of the research papers and I think you are HPV+ in which case they state "ECS is not an adverse prognostic factor in HPV-positive OPSCC" 

Hi Hazel. 

Wobbles are allowed remember, you’ve been through a lot. CRT that you’re getting in the best option for this. 

sending you a virtual hug 

Sdgepd6 said:

I have had months of  Investigations  and  a couple  of  the  Letters in the early  days have been completely  different  to what was Explained to me

Yes, one minute it was 'probably nothing', to 'yes there is a small thing that has been caught early' to 'we have found it went into the lymph node, but only one' to finally (and I hope it is finally) 'it has spread outside of the lymph node'.  I don't want all gloom and doom but I would like some realistic information.

Hugs

Hazel x

Thanks Chris, good to know that CRT is the best option! 

Hugs

Hazel x

PFJTHS said:

I think you are HPV+

Thanks Peter, yes, it does say in one of my letters that it is HPV+ 

PFJTHS said:

in which case they state "ECS is not an adverse prognostic factor in HPV-positive

However, I don't understand this bit?

Thank you for always helping.  You are a diamond.

Hugs

Hazel x

Part of the problem for our doctors is that the body is a complex piece of work and actually no two people operate the same way - evidenced by how we respond diferently to the same treatment.  The doctors piece the jigsaw together from information that gets richer the more layers of investigation we have.  Unfortunately it is human nature to want to know the definative answer ASAP so our doctors are in a dilemma as to what to tell us and when.  Invariably they give us an emerging picture which is sometimes incomplete and frustrating.

Basically the research paper is saying that spread outside the lymph node in cases of H&N cancer which are HPV+ does not decrease the chances of curative treatment being successful.  The accepted figure for success is around 90% in these cancers.