Hi, I am brand new,as of today, with this site. I had a node removed inside my mouth between my bottom lip and lower jaw to the left of center of my chin. It had been there about three years. The biopsy revealed the node removed was cancer. I had further surgery 8/25/06 to remove additional tissue. The surgery did result in clean margins. However, "focal nerve invasion was noted." The final diagnosis is a low grade, polymorphous adenocarcinoma. My doctor is now considering whether radiation or simply close observation would be the best course of follow up treatment. He doesnt seem that familiar with radiation (he is a surgeon). The diagnosis comes as a result of check ups before taking a new job in a new country. I was planning on moving to Armenia for a minimum, of 18 months and a maximum of two years. Taking the new position means resigning from my current good paying job and benefits. I simply am looking for advise on the wisdom of such a move. I have no knowledge of what radiation involves or what "close obsevation" entails- and whether that would be possible while living in Armenia. Armenia. Any thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
By the way my partner was supposed to have already left but keeps changing the ticket- our house is halfway packed and we're trying to negotiate a lease with renters- we are to the wire with this decision!

Hello air

Your cancer is a low grade slow growing adenocarcinoma. So a wait and see management policy might be reasonable as it avoids radiation side effects.

In most cases, PLGAs are salivary gland tumours with limited potential to metastasis and have a good prognosis after local treatment. Metastases to locoregional lymph nodes occur in only 6-10% of cases, but very occassionally cases are reported of the tumour giving rise to widely spread metastases, so it pays to be alert! Ask your surgeon to teach you how to examine yourself and have regular check-ups and a periodic chest x ray examination to get early information about the incidence of distant metastases. This way if it recurs, you can catch it early and treat it. By avoiding radiotherapy if it is not needed, you avoid its side-effects.

To put it all into perspective, read SW's story, she had her adenocarcinoma removed surgically 19 years ago and had no radiotherapy and chest x-ray follow-ups!. She is now over 80 years old and was fine when I last saw here. I hope that cheers you up.

Have a good time in Armenia and let us know how you get on.

Best wishes
Vinod

Thank you soo much for your rapid and thoughtful response. I will be meeting with my doctor tomorrow (9/7/06) and let you know what happens re the decision to go- but you give us hope! And the site really informs as to pros and cons of radiation for which I am most grateful. thanks Amy