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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is There Any Chance Of Spreading Of The Cancer?

Hello. My father is 80 years old. Hx-HBP, Diabetis 2, Ileus x 2,SVT,squamous places removed from face,back. RE: Tonsil and lymph squamous cancer
Lump on neck appeared 3 days after removal of squamous places on face.
Symptoms of vertigo, weakness, heart rate 50. BP? Trip to ER and was admitted. While being treated for these symptoms, lump on neck became an issue. BX revealed squamous. Neck PET - tonsil cancer. Surgeon removed cancerous tonsil. "Cleaned out" lymph glands. He is to start radiation.

Do doctors check to see if cancer has spread to other areas before starting radiation on tonsil area?

Thank you.

Best regards,
Concerned Daughter

Mon, 19 May 2014
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Oncologist,  's  Response
You have mentioned that PET scan showed tumor in tonsil area only.
PET scan is a metabolic scan in which radioactive flouride labelled glucose is injected into patient's body. This glucose becomes trapped in malignant (cancer) cells in body from where radioactive flouride releases signals (positron) which is picked up by camera.
So your oncologists already know the site of tumor in the body via the PET scan. Now, the tumor (tonsil region) has been removed alongwith lymph nodes in neck. Radiation therapy is being done to prevent local recurrence of disease.
I have tried to simply things for you.
I hope it helps. Please discuss it with the treating oncologist as well.
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Is There Any Chance Of Spreading Of The Cancer?

You have mentioned that PET scan showed tumor in tonsil area only. PET scan is a metabolic scan in which radioactive flouride labelled glucose is injected into patient s body. This glucose becomes trapped in malignant (cancer) cells in body from where radioactive flouride releases signals (positron) which is picked up by camera. So your oncologists already know the site of tumor in the body via the PET scan. Now, the tumor (tonsil region) has been removed alongwith lymph nodes in neck. Radiation therapy is being done to prevent local recurrence of disease. I have tried to simply things for you. I hope it helps. Please discuss it with the treating oncologist as well.