I saw a new radiation oncologist. She decided not to treat me since they have not done any stereotactic radiation therapy cases outside of the brain but recommended that we go back to my CyberKnife radiation oncologist if we decide on additional radiation. My insurance approved, and today was my first CyberKnife treatment of five total treatments. I love this technology. We spent all afternoon last Friday getting my mask, CT, and MRI scans done.
My PET scans have been showing questionable activity around the nasopharynx, the last in June. However, last week's PET scan showed activity only at the neck node, which we are currently treating with CyberKnife. I have never been so happy to find out that I have cancer.
After CyberKnife, we may still consider additional chemo even if the PET scan is completely clean.
My CyberKnife doc has already warned about possible skin burns due to treatment being so close to the skin. I'll be posting a picture of the treatment plan online soon.
I almost forgot. My ENT called a few weeks ago. He asked the pathologist at the hospital to perform additional tests on the biopsy samples from July. The biopsy was positive.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
More radiation
Third time is a charm? Looks like we are going in for more radiation. This time to a level 2 neck node. I would love to use CyberKnife again given my favorable experience the first time with the technology, but because of insurance, it looks like we will be using the Trilogy System for additional stereotactic radiosurgery, at another hospital.
Surgery for the neck node is possible but not recommended by my ENT given my previous neck dissection surgery to my right neck. My quality of life would be very poor.
We attempted to biopsy the neck node using ultrasound guidance in my ENT's office, but the results of the biopsy were inconclusive. My doctors all think the PET scan, in our case, is sufficient to suggest residual cancer in the neck node.
My medical oncologist is holding off on chemo until after radiation. We may avoid chemo if the PET scan is clean after stereotactic radiation therapy.
A few weeks ago, my ENT finally placed a ear tube in my right ear. I can hear much better now.
Surgery for the neck node is possible but not recommended by my ENT given my previous neck dissection surgery to my right neck. My quality of life would be very poor.
We attempted to biopsy the neck node using ultrasound guidance in my ENT's office, but the results of the biopsy were inconclusive. My doctors all think the PET scan, in our case, is sufficient to suggest residual cancer in the neck node.
My medical oncologist is holding off on chemo until after radiation. We may avoid chemo if the PET scan is clean after stereotactic radiation therapy.
A few weeks ago, my ENT finally placed a ear tube in my right ear. I can hear much better now.
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