[Have a few questions]

If I may suggest: I would ask your doctors the following question: What treatments would likely be started on the basis of the biopsy (or other contemplated procedure)? How you handle the answer to that question is up to you.

I'm a refugee from Head and Neck Cancer. In fact, I've had my vocal cords removed. Now I have a half-dozen "spots" in my lungs. When faced with the option of a biopsy, I asked: What treatments will depend on the biopsy's outcome? The answer (in my case) was none. No matter the outcome of the biospy, they would wait 3 months to see if the spots grew. So I opted for not having the biopsy. (I actually saw 3 cancer doctors and two recommended waiting and one recommended the biopsy).

Now the decision to biopsy if highly personal. I cannot suggest what you should do. And your doctors in your case may have treatment options which depend on the results of the biopsy. But I think this is a good question to ask. Will my treatment change as a result of the biopsy? Rick.

[From Head & Neck Cancer]

This is definitely more than you want to know. I am having intermittent aspiration thru my voice prosthesis (which is a valve between trachea and esophagus). You remember my vocal cords have been removed. So at least a couple of times a week liquid gets into my lungs when I drink. Voice prosthesis periodically fail (leak); and their median lifespan is 3 months. I've had mine 11 months.

I have decided to have the voice prosthesis removed (rather than replaced). Reason? 1) I've obtained usable esophageal speech, and my esophageal speech is improving every week. 2) The voice prosthesis takes a lot of cleaning (going inside the neck with little brushes) and all voice prosthesis will leak after a number of months. If I need chemo again, I don't want to be bothered with a leaky valve in my neck. I can barely manage the prosthesis now when I'm at my best, there will be no way to clean it etc when undergoing chemo. And the prosthesis provides a nice route for all that chemo-produced vomit to get get into my lungs. Once the prosthesis is removed, my stomach is connected to my mouth and my lungs are connected to the hole in my neck (stoma). There is no way for vomit to get into the airway. One small advantage for having a total laryngectomy.

The oncology plan is not to biopsy but see if the stuff in the lungs grow with a repeat CAT Scan. Will keep you posted Rick.

[Definition of metastatic?]

If someone said, "she has metastatic ovarian cancer", does it mean (1) that she had ovarian cancer that spread to some other (distant) location., or (2) that she had a primary cancer at some distant location and it spread to the ovaries?

I'm male, and using a female cancer as an example only to denote that I'm not talking about myself (or anyone else). I'm just trying to figure out how the term is used.

Are there other uses for this and similar terms?

Rick Walloch.

[Metastasis To Lung]

Diane:

To answer your question: I've postpone having the biopsy which might very well establish that I have metastatic cancer. The reason is that this biopsy would not produce any recommendation for treatment in the near future (at the medical center at which I'm a patient). My medical oncologist told me that a biopsy would not alter treatment on bit, regardless of the results of the biopsy. Whether or not I have the biopsy, the suggested plan is to wait 3 or 4 months and see if the tumor grows.

I have a fear of treatment algorithms and insurance providers. I have just enough fear that a definitive diagnosis of metastatic cancer might bar me from other treatments. What if I have a heart attack? and need bypass surgery? Will a definitive diagnosis of metastatic cancer prevent me from getting cardiac surgery? If Rick is going to die in 5 months, why work on the heart?

So in my mind, if the biopsy does not lead to any treatment, why risk having the biopsy block a treatment?

By the way, there is a patient on the Amer Cancer Soc boards that is in about the same situation as I. He elected to have his biopsy. After having metastatic cancer (from larynx to lung) confirmed, the docs told him that they are going to wait 6 months and do another scan. He is on the East Coast and I am in the Pacific Northwest. So, I am quite certain that the advice given me is very "standard". So I have to seek out some fringe advice.

I will continue to search out health care providers and ask the big question: will the biopsy results lead to treatment options? But if there are no treatment options, why do the test? Why not just look for some medical center where the results of the test will/might lead to treatment? Rick.

[Metastasis To Lung]

I have had quite a journey with Head & Neck Cancer. My vocal cords have been removed, and I am learning to speak again with various methods. However, a PET Scan showed stuff in my lung "highly suspicious" for a metastasis.

My quick search of here and there indicates that we with metastasis to the lung do not survive long. Any exceptions out there which prove the rule?

It is also conspicuous that there isn't a board dedicated to metastasis to the lung. Or am I really looking in the wrong place?

More about me: Strangely, I really enjoy a portion of most days. On a few days, medications drug me too much, preventing any real enjoyment. But that's cancer, I guess. I'm taking a few free on-line courses from https://www.coursera.org/. One course is in computer science; the other Modern Poetry. These "college courses" totally occupy my mind for a few hours each day.

Just a guy trying to get his voice back.

Rick.

[Although & However,]

Can I be bumbed with you? I'm a Head & Neck Warrior; my vocal cords have been removed. Not so bad; I'm learning to talk again. But I'm waiting on my first lung biopsy, having been bumbed out by a PET a few weeks ago.

It seems like it never ends. RickW.

[From Head & Neck Cancer]

I am scheduled for a lung biopsy next week (week of Oct 22). I gotten to this point the hard way:

July 2010: Radiation for layngeal cancer.

Nov 2011: Total Layngectomy (removal of vocal cords)

Jan 2012: More Radiation and Lite Chemo (not much nausea; no hair loss)

Oct 2012: PET Scan detected “stuff” in the lungs.

I use all three methods to regain speech after removal of vocal cords. 1) Electrolarynx: a vibrator held to neck or chin, 2) TEP voice prosthesis, a one-way valve surgically placed between the trachea and esophagus, 3) esophageal speech - “swallowing air” and burping. I consider myself “intermediate” in all three methods.

I was forcefully retired in 2008 due to the economy. I took a year off. Was a census taker in 2010. Just as I wanted to seriously look for work, laryngeal cancer struck.

I never smoked. However, I was exposed to extensive second-hand smoke during my formative years. I lived with three chain smokers, father, grandmother, and uncle. There seemed to always be two lit cigarettes in our flat. I think everyone born in the 1940's (or 50's) was a smoker whether or not he/she lit up. (Sorry for the political statement.)

I am a sober alcoholic (have not drunk in 20 years). No recreational drugs. Very dull person, overall.

My nickname, ToBeGolden, refers to Golden Retrievers. I've always wished I had their personality. Once a neighbor threw a rock and hit my Golden in the head. After a dazed moment, Angus picked the rock up and returned it. Dropped it as my angry neighbor's feet. What a way to win an argument. Wish I could learn to react in such a manner.

I see the rapids ahead, and the waterfall beyond them. What is the best route thru the rapids? How can I avoid not be smashed against a rock? Of course, I worry about the waterfall. Is there a way to beach my craft and not launch over the waterfall? But the challenge of the waterfall is a little ahead. I have to figure out whether to attack the rapids on the right, left, or center. RickW.