My husband had a lump in his neck and we were told last week that it is a secondary tumour and the primary is probably his left tonsil. He has to have a ct scan this week, then a meeting the week after for his treatment planning. Just wondered if anyone can advise me on 'questions that will need asking when we see the ENT/oncology team?'
Thanks

Dear Lynnie,
I had a very dear friend who had this problem but unfortunately is no longer with us. There is no reason to get scared as what happend to him was a freak and its not a normal occurance.
The onclogist should give you all the facts and figures as to how advanced the cancer is and what they intend to do about it. I have no doubt about the radiation bit or the chemo bit. Do ask about the surgery as tonsils are in case are usually taken out when they swell even as a young kid. ( means a lot of ice creams). The surgery would be done very carefully so that the scapel does not nick any other part than the area infected and to be removed. If this is taken care of I figure it should all be okay.

However please do rememeber I am not a doctor in any sense of the word and am only giving you advise of what I have seen and to an extent of what I have been through. You must be frank with the oncologists as well the ENT specialist as once it has been decided upon - its the normally the ENT doctor who takes over.Talk to them about you fears and what one has to do in the future to mantain a normal life style. You hubby is really lucky that they caught the tumour in its primary or first stage and it should be curable totally.
I wish you both the very best.
Warm regards,
Ananth

I had this problem 3 years ago. In fact, it is my 3 yr anniversary since my last treatment. I had a radical neck dissection and right tonsilectomy on oct 2 2004 followed 5 weeks later by radiotherapy which finished on dec 22 of that year.
Things are going very well now but it took a good 6 months before I began to recover physically and mentally. I had 2 tumours in my neck lymphs which had burst out of the glands. Very worrying for me at the time - but my prognosis is now good.
Try to make sure the Radiotherapy begins within 5 weeks of the surgery. Also your husband should see a dentist so as to make sure his teeth are in good nick before the RT. Otherwise the RT may be delayed

I am sure things will go well for your husband. It seems as if things have been caught early. A tonsil primary affords much greater chances of a good recovery than say a tongue primary.

all the best Tony K

Evening Lynnie,welcome to the site
I was in your position 3yrs ago when my Husband was diagnosed with a R Tonsil Cancer with spread to his neck Lymph glands.
In his case he had a Neck dissection, followed by Chemo /Radiotherapy. You are right to be prepared with questions to ask, I used to write my questions in a little note book, & write down the answers whilst in the clinic.
The Consultants will tell you some of the effects of surgery & treatment, ensure you both understand what they are saying. Your questions will come to you as you write them down.You could ask if there are alternative treatments to that on offer.
Everyones treatments are slightly different so when you know what is going to happen, please come back to us.You are embarking on a journey & we will help you all we can.

Hi! Lynnie,
May this year Deb and I were out for lunch when Deb saw a lump on the right side of my neck, she brought this to my attention and I contacted my GP and then the shit hit the fan(excuse me) well after a scan the GP organised a visit to a Surgeon the next day and he informed Deb and I that it was a Tumor about 45mm long by 25mm diameter, the next week he excised it and found that it was only a secondary Cancer Cell and that he would book me in to see and ENT Specialist this was achieved within a week and surgery for the removal of my Tonsil happened very quickly. However this prooved benign and I was then booked in for a Modified Radical Neck Disection done the following week and there they found 3 cancerous Lymph Nodes which of course they removed and these also were only secondary and they never found the Primary bastard, so I was put onto RT/Chemo treatment for 71/2 weeks(very trumatic) this was not pleasant and I have been finished with my treatment now for 14 weeks, I still am having some eating problems BUT what the heck I am alive and every day is a plus so sorry for being blunt but you have to be yourself and kick the bastard and live life to the full(a little Brandy helps at times).

Be Strong
Love Trev

Hello Lynne

Please see: Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Your Cancer.

You may also find some advice in related past discussions.

Hope that helps.

Best wishes
Vinod

Hi Lynnie

Like your husband I too had cancer of left tonsil which had spread to the neck.

I had first op on 21 Dec last year, this year as I type this to you I am sat by a pool in Madeira, (first time I have logged on since starting this holiday), last Christmas well to say the least was the pits, this year I am so glad to be alive.

I live in Lincs near Louth, and was treated by a brilliant team in Hull.

Anyway I hope things go well for your husband, the folks on this site are brilliant and will support and help you and your husband.

Regards

Tony

Happy Xmas everyone.

Hey Trev

Just read your email about the brandy, you want to try the brandy in Madeira they call it blandy and it is real rot gut.

I had a slug of it after a long boat trip came back with a frozen ass, talk about fire water.

First time I have had any hard stuff since last year, now i found out they have something called poncho which is even stronger no wonder they all seem to be blind over on this island.

Have a great Xmas down under.

Regards


Tony

Thank you so much for all your replies, it really does help having people who understand what you are going through. I know the next few months are going to be hard but having some insight will stand me in good stead. My husband Brian is appearing very strong and determined at the moment, is main worry is the CT scan result, if it confirms tonsil ca only he's ready for the fight, but if its spread anywhere else he's adament we should 'bugger off abroad and enjoy his remaining time'!!! Its the not knowing thats the worst! Anyway will let you know how we get on next week, thanks again,
Lynnie x

Hi Lynnie,

Waiting for results is the worst thing, your imagination can tend to run wild. I will keep my fingers crossed for you both but don't be too despondant if the results show that the cancer has spread. Some people on this board have got through some bad prognosis. Keep up the fight.

Please let us know how things go.

Lorraine

Lynnie,
sorry I have not been on the site for a while- I have such an active life now that it it iss hard to believe how ill i was.
I too had a lump in my neck and PET scan that found primary on left tonsil.
I had radical neck dissection r/t and chemo.
If you see my posts you will more or less see my story.
It is hard and there will be tears but- he WILL COME THROUGH!
Contact me if you want further advice.
Keep smiling!

Anne W