CT Scan complete!

CT was done today, now pre-op on Monday & appointment with my regular MD. Tuesday is the day--the biopsy...once we know WHAT it is we can get a game plan going!

Lawn Chemicals finally got me....

After at length discussions with my Physicians we've all come to the conclusion that it was the lawn chemicals that finally caused this cancer. I don't smoke, haven't since 1993, don't drink, haven't since 1997, and eat very healthy. The ONLY negative I have in my history of the past 7 years is continuous exposure to pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides. I've been spraying this stuff off and on since 1981. It made me sick in '81 and the same chemicals that did then I blame for this now---2-4-D, Dicamba, multiple solvents, etc. I get my CT scan done tomorrow to see how invasive this stuff really is....I've actually been feeling VERY good the past few days, we'll see what tomorrow brings...

Second Opinion from Duke today!!!

Well, I went to a specialist @ Duke North today for a second opinion on the growth in my throat, what a difference! First of all their equipment was state of the art, the people were outstanding as well. My Physician was quite young maybe 31 at most. He ran the scope down my throat and made a short video of me speaking and the growth. There exists the possibility that it just may be Verruca Cell carcinoma, this is good because this type of cancer isnt's invasive, rather it grows in an outward motion/direction and rarely if ever metastasizes to other organs or Lymph nodes. It has a high cure rate and never requires radiation. I got my blood work done today, I'd already had a clear chest X-ray yesterday & a clear liver function profile as well, just waiting on the Kidney Creatine count that was done today. Next, I'll have a full neck CT scan Friday, then Monday I'll go in for PreOp surgery exam, they'll explain anesthesia options and explain how the procedure will work Tuesday. Then, Tuesday at 4:30pm I go under & they do the biopsy. Following that we all meet back up Thursday or Friday to develop a plan depending upon the results of the biopsy. I sure hope it's Verruca, not Squamous cell. I'll post more Friday after the CT scan of the neck....If it's NOT Verruca, then he said it could be treated with either Radiation OR Surgery but with difficulty with either....:(

Verruca cell info:

Verrucous carcinoma

top

1-4% of laryngeal cancers

Has cytologic and architectural features normally associated with a reactive process, but with ability to invade normal tissue

Locally destructive, but almost never metastasizes; associated cervical adenopathy may be reactive and not metastatic disease

Usually men in 50’s to 60’s; associated with tobacco smoking or chewing

Occurs anywhere in upper aerodigestive tract

5 year survival 78% (better after surgery than radiation therapy)

May coexist with conventional squamous cell carcinoma (if both present, must treat more aggressive component)

HPV negative

Difficult diagnosis to make, particularly from biopsies

Treatment: surgery; radiation not recommended in general since ineffective and may cause anaplastic transformation

Gross: large, white-tan exophytic tumor fixed to normal structures; up to 10 cm; attached by broad base

Micro: invasive cancer with well differentiated squamous epithelium that lacks features of squamous cell carcinoma; by definition has no dysplastic features above basal zone; uniform cells without atypia or mitotic figures; marked surface keratinization (church-spire keratosis), broad rete pegs with pushing but not an infiltrative margin; may have prominent lymphoplasmacytic and histiocytic infiltrate

Micro images: A-squamous proliferation with church-spire keratosis, broad/bulbous rete pegs pushing downward into adjacent stroma; B-bland uniform cells with maturation, retention of polarity, no atypia, no increased N/C ration, no dyskeratosis

DD: papilloma, well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, verrucous keratosis (no invasion), pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, verrucae vulgaris, papillomatosis

Cancer!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, no!

Found out I have cancer in my throat last week, going today for tests, chest xray, blood work up and more.