advice

emilymay · Regular Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 12

my MIL has squamous cell carcinoma. it has spread around her skull. into her sinuses, into the area of the skull where the spinal cord comes up and a few other places. she has has radiation, and in chemo now, oncea week for six weeks then another MRI to check.

Just looking for some more info on treatment options or anything, we are in CT. what options are available, I looked into the Gamma Knife but because of the location it would be too dangerouse. Is chemo the only alternative?

thanks for any information

Emily

SFGiants13 · Senior User Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 121 Location: CA SF

Is she receiving general chemo or aggressive? I'm guessing general since you mentioned she's only doing once a week. Yes Chemo is the other alternative plus with the rad, (did she receive rad of the brain and spine?). I don't know how aggressive the tumor is but from hearing where its located, the tumor could be. Maybe a more stronger chemo treatment could be possible or even Bone Marrow Transplant w/ stem cell rescue but I'm not sure on what's the best treatment for her. I'm not a doctor but from experience as a cancer survivor currently in remission maybe look into what I mentioned. Good Luck

emilymay · Regular Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 12

she is in chemo once a week now and on stronger chemo meds than last try wich was once every 2-3 weeks. she did have radiation 3-4 times a week in oct-nov for 6 weeks. but the doc said they can only do radiation once in an area. she received the radiation on her temporal lobe area since that is where it originated.

what is stem cell rescue?

i didnt know bone marrow transplant was an option for cancer. im just learning what is out there to see what other options we have.

is bone marrow transplant common, i have heard of it for some cancers.

thanks alot

rlee · Site Admin Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 245

I'm curious who has offered BMT as a treatment? I don't believe that this is considered standard of care and would only be offered on a clinical trial. Have you gotten a 2nd opinion at a larger cancer center. There are many good centers in Boston or NY as well as in other locations in the NE US.

Sincerely,
RLee, MD
_________________
RLee, MD

Any information provided is NOT intended to provide specific medical advice to users but rather to provide users with information to help them better understand their health condition and related care. All readers are strongly encouraged to consult with a qualified physician for answers to their personal medical questions.

emilymay · Regular Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 12

[quote="rlee"]I'm curious who has offered BMT as a treatment? I don't believe that this is considered standard of care and would only be offered on a clinical trial. Have you gotten a 2nd opinion at a larger cancer center. There are many good centers in Boston or NY as well as in other locations in the NE US.

Sincerely,
RLee, MD[/quote]

No one offered us bmt, a previouse post mentioned it. we have not gotten a second opinon. our treatments and docs are at yale New haven in Ct, . I and my Fatherin law do want one. i have the report and from what i have reaserched there are little areas in many places around her head with cancer.

i know there are some good hospitals in NY and i would have no problem going to Boston for a second opinion.

Thanks
Lisa

SFGiants13 · Senior User Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 121 Location: CA SF

Yes I had a bone marrow transplant in april 05. It's basically high dose chemo w/ stem cell rescue. I had my own stem cells used and they implanted a large catheter into my neck. I stayed in the hospital as an in-patient for about 23-26 days long. It was the most intense treatment and by far the worst I've ever received. It basically felt like insanity and death. The bone marrow transplant is the highest and most intense treatment because it will take you to and or beyond the limit. It will totally destroy the cancer. I've had my 3rd MRI since and its been good.

I know another person who had the bmt in NY I think ITS THE Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centerland he's doing good.

emilymay · Regular Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 12

[quote="SFGiants13"]Yes I had a bone marrow transplant in april 05. It's basically high dose chemo w/ stem cell rescue. I had my own stem cells used and they implanted a large catheter into my neck. I stayed in the hospital as an in-patient for about 23-26 days long. It was the most intense treatment and by far the worst I've ever received. It basically felt like insanity and death. The bone marrow transplant is the highest and most intense treatment because it will take you to and or beyond the limit. It will totally destroy the cancer. I've had my 3rd MRI since and its been good.

I know another person who had the bmt in NY I think ITS THE Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centerland he's doing good.[/quote]

should i look into bmt????

SFGiants13 · Senior User Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 121 Location: CA SF

Check with your doctor and find out if the center is near you. The friend that had it also had recurrent cancer sane as mine and have been through many treatments. It's up to you because the treatment is intense. Good Luck!

emilymay · Regular Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 12

[quote="SFGiants13"]Check with your doctor and find out if the center is near you. The friend that had it also had recurrent cancer sane as mine and have been through many treatments. It's up to you because the treatment is intense. Good Luck![/quote]

i passed the info on to my FIL. he is going to run it by his doc and see what he has to say about the treatment.

i also told him to go check out sloan kettering for a second opinion.

thanks

SFGiants13 · Senior User Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 121 Location: CA SF

Wish you the best, good luck! Very Happy

"Keep a good mind, body, spirit. Hope and pray for Long life, happiness, and peace!" Very Happy

emilymay · Regular Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 12

thanks alot

best to you too

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