Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NRC) Cancer Treatment Question

ckfchong · New User Joined: 28 Nov 2007 Posts: 3

Hi there, my father was diagnosed with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) cancer Stage I with the tumor size less than 1cm about 3months before...One of the early symptom is that my father found blood streak in his mucous in the morning.

However, he received Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy treatment for 7 weeks and completed since last month. But the doctor only required my father to undergo nanoscope checking after 1month and full body check up (CT scan and X-ray) after 3months.

However, since last few days, my father found that there is blood streak again in this mucous in the morning. We wonder what is the reason for this and the doctor is too busy to attend to us now and he told us that it is impossible to check the cancer cells right after the treatment.

May I seek any professional advice here or anyone who has undergone the NPC treatment before? Is the nose bleed again after the treatment considered as normal?

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 648 Location: UK

Hi ckfchong - I hesitate to ask, but where are you? I am taken aback that a doctor treating a cancer patient is not prepared to investigate a possible recurrence "because he is too busy". At the very least he should be able to explain if nosebleeds after treatment are a normal occurrence.

brainman

ckfchong, I am very sorry about your father's cancer. I agree with Vee and go one step further: If your father's current doctor is too busy to answer that simple question, it may be time to look for a new doctor.

However, it is not too uncommon for doctors not to want to check for recurrences so soon after the end of treatment. That is especially true with radiation therapy since it continues to work after the last treatment... sometimes up to 8 weeks. So it would not be unexpected to still find living cancer cells in your father at this point.

Your father is in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

ckfchong · New User Joined: 28 Nov 2007 Posts: 3

Thanks Vee Smith and Brainman for your advice. So in your opinion, it is uncommon to find blood streak again in my father's mucous? Might it be the recurrence of the cancer? I should seek advice from another doctor?

brainman

No, what I said is that some doctors will not check because it is too early to distinguish between the original cancer cells and a recurrence. However, it is highly unusual for a doctor to brush a patient aside because he or she is too busy to be bothered. It is not a second opinion that you need... it is a doctor that at least will explain things to you in a more caring way.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

ckfchong · New User Joined: 28 Nov 2007 Posts: 3

Thanks brainman....But now our whole family is very nervous and worry as we do not know what is the reason for the blood streak..

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 648 Location: UK

If it is possible, I feel you should ask to see another doctor for a second opinion. This symptom may be simply part of the healing - but you need to ask someone.

Christmas · New User Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 5

I agree with others that a doctor should never be too busy to answer questions. I am a Nasopharyngeal Cancer survivor. I don't recall getting bloody mucuous after my treatment. I do get some blood in my nasal every once in a while. I'm not too concern because I've been getting my check ups. I believe that my bloody mucous is due to scarring tissue and sometimes, my nasal area gets too dry. I've been advised to irrigate my nasal area twice a day to keep that area clean and bacteria free. Your dad should check with his doctor to see when it's safe to irrigate.

After the cancer treatment, that whole area is very dry and has lost its ability to be normal.

Keep asking questions. I find that many doctors are not too knowlegeable about treating cancer survivors. They are good at treating the cancer, but not sure what to do with the problems that come after treatment.

DocSeiwert · Site Admin Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 20

Dear ckfchong, bloody secretions are a common presenting sign of nasopharyngeal carcinomas. It is concerning if the same presenting symptom (bloody secretions) now recurs after treatment. On the other hand chemoradiation can cause easy bleeding and it may simply be a complication of the treatment and transient. Nevertheless I agree with the previous posts 100% - this should be evaluated - and considering another doctor is always an option.

I do not know the details of your father's tumor, but in general appropriate exams could include an endoscopic examination with a biopsy, and CT or MRI scanning.
_________________
Tanguy Seiwert, MD
Medical Oncologist, University of Chicago

Disclaimer: This information is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please always consult with your physician.

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