Hi All,

My mom had the results of her PET scan on Friday. The original Tumor in the tonsil is clear, the tongue is clear and the Lymph glands are clear-which is good news.

However they said that there was a small area in the other Tonsil (which never originally had any cancer) which had lit up on the scan.

The oncologist advised that this usually happens because of infection, and he seemed very sure it was not cancer, he strongly recommended mom did not have a biopsy on the area.

They looked down the nose with a camera, and said it all looked normal, as a compromise they agreed to take mom in and have a more close look under anasthetic and if the see anything suspicious to biopsy at that point.

So im fairly happy, however I just wondered if anyone had any advice.

Thanks everyone.

Oliver

Hi Oliver
Well it all sounds like terrific news for your Mum and you. What a relief!
Sounds as though the drs are confident she is in the clear. The fact they are prepared to check things out under anaesthesia is a very compassionate move I think and should put your mind at rest.
Onwards and upwards
Deborah

I wonder why they just don't take it out and biopsy it? It's a small procedure - although somewhat painful for a couple of days or so.

tony k

Hi Oliver, glad you have good news. If I were you I would ask what the level of SUV uptake was in the other tonsil. Tonsil tissues has a much higher SUV uptake than other areas of the mouth in patients without cancer. I read one article that suggested an average uptake in non cancer patients could be between 4 and 5 which is relatively high compared to other areas of the mouth - they consider levels of about 2.5 suspicious in other areas. Though uptakes do differ between individuals. If the uptake is not very high, the surgeon may think it unnecessary to do a biopsy.

You might also like to ask what exactly a biopsy would involve. I suspect it depends on where exactly the glow is - which area of tonsil (there are lots of different tonsil areas in the mouth). Tonsil location and sizes also vary a great deal across individuals. When Chaz had his tonsil biopsy (in tonsil fossa - the wiggly bit) it was a tonsillectomy and that is not a straightforward op in adults as tonsils are so near arteries. Healing can also be excruciatingly painful. I think Chaz was in more pain 4 days after his biopsy than the whole way through radiotherapy. I was really surprised when I started cruising internet sites before his op. There were lots of patients blogging in severe pain - some saying child birth was a breeze in comparison with the pain she was experiencing after a tonsillectomy! Perhaps they dont want to put your mum through a lot of pain if they are fairly sure it is nothing to worry about. If you do go with their recommendation to do nothing, I would ask about how exactly they will continue to monitor it - to be sure.

Cathy

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CathyS,

Hi Oliver, glad to read the good news. Hagg.

Thanks for replys guys.

Mom had a right tonsilectomy last August, this was when they found the cancer.

I will ask what the uptake was, but at that point when the scan was done mom did have a particularly bad infection in the left side of her face with the saliva gland (this is the side that lit up).

I dont think they want to biopsy as mom has only started eating in the last 2 or 3 months, and the oncologist was concerned it would further put back her swallow.

I will ask what the uptake was, I wondered why they didnt take the other tonsil out last August, oh well. what does worry me is that the oncologist said it would be very difficult to treat if the cancer returned in the other tonsil.

They want to continue to monitor mom with the camera up the nose every two weeks.

They did have a good look at the area that had lit up on the scan with the camera and it all looked like normal tissue.

Just waiting for the appointment to come through now so they can examine mom under the anasthetic (they said they can get a better look when the patient is asleep).

Thanks everyone.

Oliver

Hi all,

Mom Has to go in so they can have a look at her on 29th March. just wondered if they do take a biopsy on her tonsil will it leave her in much pain?

The oncologist was against her having any biopsys done, and how long will we have to wait for results if she does have one done?

Thanks guys

Hi Oliver,

Am so sorry that this is dragging on so. Your poor Mum she must be so sick and tired of all this. I would imagine pain would depend on what and where they take a biopsy, if they decide to at all. Re time for results, I would guess 2 -3 weeks, but much depends on how the timing of the biopsy and the reporting fits into the schedule of your medical team and their various meetings.

A nurse specialist at the cancer center should be able to chase results for you and make sure they get to whoever has to see them as soon as possible. You might also need to clarify how your mum wants to get results. Our experience suggests that the processes used to inform patients of results are pretty ad hoc and I think it is definitely worth clarifying exactly how they intend to do it before any test.

C