All you 'quitters'...as well as those who continue to smoke...need to be aware of the symptoms for Base-of-Tongue Cancer. While not rare, BoT Cancer is fairly uncommon in the US. Only about 8,000 cases a year are diagnosed in the US and about 123,000 cases worldwide (from NIH website).

Three published causes of this particular cancer are:
- smoking (including second-hand smoke);
- heavy drinking (less than what you or I would likely call 'heavy');
- human papilloma virus.

Usually strikes men...over 50...more than women.

Base-of-Tongue Cancer usually does not present until it's Stage 4, which means it has mestasized from the primary site on the tongue.

The symptom which led to my cancer diagnosis was a swollen lymph node in the left side of the neck.

I am a 59 year old, healthy white male who smoked for about 17 years and quit over thirty years ago. I woke up one morning around Christmas last year with the left side of my neck sore. Got to feeling around and discovered a swollen lymph node. The node felt like it was about 1/2" in diameter. I kept track of it for a few days and the swelling never went down, so I went to the doctor. She said these normally resolve within 4-6 weeks. We waited and followed up again. She then referred me for an ultra-sound...which showed a swollen node on both sides of the neck...and a CT scan with contrast.

The resulting CT diagnosis...confirmed by a biopsy of the tongue...was a one-inch cancerous tumor on the left side at the base-of-the-tongue, with also a one inch cancerous lymph node on each side of the neck...Stage 4A (early stage 4).

Treatment for BoT Cancer is normally chemo with radiation to the head and neck. This treatment is one of...if not...the most painful cancer treatments person will experience. Morphine will not kill the pain. However, I fared far better than most in the pain arena.

To make a long story short, the radiation and chemo killed the cancerous node in each side of my neck. This was confirmed by a CT/PET scan, that also showed two suspicious nodes behind the carotid and jugglar on the right side of the neck. I had a lymph node dissection on the right side of the neck last week to remove the two 'suspicious' nodes that remained.

The doctor biopsied the tongue again last week because the CT/PET scan showed a 'hot' area still at the primary tumor site. This hot spot could well have been from inflammation since the CT/PET scan 'sees' cancer and inflammation in the same way. The biopsy may still not be conclusive because the tissue has been radiated. It may be a while yet before we know for sure the cancer in the tongue has been killed.

As an IMPORTANT side note, the only time I had ANY pain or soreness in the neck was that one morning in December when I initially found the swollen lymph node. There is an important reason why cancer is called the "Silent Killer". It doesn't hurt until it has metastasized and spread into organs/nerves. Pay attention.

__________________
Don
'85 500SL (Euro) - 186,000 w/a complete restoration and engine rebuild at 154,000
'95 C280 - 174,000

Sub- Thanks for the info and I hope things get better for you.

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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

Bot cancer must be related to Tongue-in-cheek syndrome and also to related to Foot-in-mouth disease.

I'm glad I quit. It was a loooong time ago. I knew a man, recently deceased who had BoT. It was a difficult treatment.

I am not trying to hijack your thread but the same can be said for prostate cancer. I was diagnosed with same last month. It was only found by having an annual blood PSA test and a digital exam. Unlike BoT cancer I had absolutely NO hint that it was there. The doctor said that I probalby had had the cancer for 2-4 years and that I could leave it alone for probably 10 more years. Because I an relatively young (63) and in very good health I decided to have my prostate removed this Dec. using the de Vinci robot.

Guys, don't put off prostate exams, esp. if ANYONE in your family has had prostate cancer. Unlike Bot cancer you won't feel anything until it is too late. Prostate cancer is the second biggest killer of men, and from what I understand it is really not a very pleasent way to die.

If you think a simple blood test and a finger in the ass is uncomfortable try having your ass eaten out with cancer.

Sub., good luck with your treatment and I wish you the best.

The thing that gets me about prostate cancer is that it is like the bastard step child to breast cancer.

Just about the same number of men get prostate cancer as do women who get breast cancer, and similar numbers of men die from prostate cancer as do women who die from breast cancer.

Yet, a fraction of the money that is spent on breast cancer research is spent on prostate cancer research.

And it goes without saying that no one in hollywood is wearing prostate cancer ribbons on their lapels.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Kip,

I don't mind at all. In fact, I have a very good friend who was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer earlier this year. He had not gotten his PSA checked in five years. That's an abomination!!! He went through radiation and is in remission at the moment. Still, it's not a pleasant thing to have hanging over your head.

On a high note, I was told last Wednesday that there are NO SIGNS of cancer in my body. I can't say that I am cured and may never be able to do so. The technology only 'sees' tumors 5mm or larger. So, I will have a PET/CT scan about every six months for the next few years just to keep tabs on things. We are obviously greatly relieved.

__________________
Don
'85 500SL (Euro) - 186,000 w/a complete restoration and engine rebuild at 154,000
'95 C280 - 174,000