Unknown Primary - squamous cell carcinoma

[DonohueGirls]

Hello,

My dad was just recently dx with CUP and underwent his first chemo treatment today. Since his dx I've been scouring the internet looking for as much information as I can - but really need to talk to others who've experienced or know of others experiencing cancer.

A bit of background... My dad is 65 years old and relatively healthy. He found a lump under his arm that grew rapidly and about 4 weeks after finding it they removed it and said it was cancer - but not the primary. He's been through CT scans, full body PET scans and saw an ENT doctor but they still can't find the primary. He'll be going for another test this Friday around the stomach area. This really baffles me. I know there are cases out there, but it seems so strange that they can't find anything else. The tumor under his arm was his only tumor.

They're classifing it as squamous cell carcinoma. But I also think they said something about poorly differentiated. They're saying it definately isn't related to lymphnode. Is this good or bad?

The other thing I'm confused/worried about is, if they can't find anything now, how are they going to tell if the Chemo is working? I'm assuming it's if they don't find anything new later?

Thanks in advance for any insight.
Lynn

[SamQKitty]

Lynn,
It's my understanding that poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma is one of the "best" types of CUP to have. Are they just doing chemo, or are they planning some radiation to the area as well?

Also, do you know what type of chemo they're using?

And, did they get all the cancer out through surgery? If not, they'll watch whatever's left to determine if the chemo is working (sometimes the cancer has adhered to arteries and/or veins, so they can't get every bit of it...frequently this works as a marker to determine response to chemo.)

Whether or not they got the entire tumor through surgery, your father will probably be followed with CT scans periodically...most likely every 2-3 months at first, then every 4 months, then twice a year, then once a year. Since his tumor was under the arm, they will probably do scans of the neck and chest area, as something under the arm would most likely have come from one of those two areas.

Just to give you some hope, I will be celebrating my 5th anniversary cancer-free this coming October. I had a tumor in my left groin area (referred to as "inguinal"). It was poorly differentiated, with similarities to squamous and small cell cancer. I was treated with taxol/carboplatin chemotherapy, and then with radiation to the area. God willing, your father will have as good a response as I did.

Ruth

[DonohueGirls]

Hi Ruth,

Thank you so much for your reply. As I was scanning the boards, I was able to read a bit on your history - you are an inspiration to all!

You asked some good questions - one's that I'm trying to get the answers to. My mom has been a bit overwhelmed and I don't know if she's understanding everything the doctors have been telling them.

As for right now, they're just doing Chemo every three weeks. Radiation was mentioned, but I think they're waiting to see how he responds to Chemo. Luckily he did very well on Wednesday and even came over on Thursday to help us with our sprinkler system. :-) I think that his response to the first round of Chemo has helped him feel a bit better mentally - I could tell he was extremely nervous, although he has a hard time letting others know that.

Once I have some more info, I'd like to share it with you and see what you think about it. I really appreciate your kindness and willingness to share with others.

Thank you,
Lynn

[DonohueGirls]

Hi again,

The three main drugs he's on are Carboplatin and Paclitaxel and Etoposide.

As far as my mom can remember, they removed all of the tumor under his arm.

Were they able to get all of yours?

Thanks,
Lynn

[SamQKitty]

Hi Lynn,
Good chemo regimen for squamous cell. He may get some neuropathy from the paclitaxel, but if he does, it might also go away after a while.

My cancer had already spread beyond the lymph node and was adhering to some arteries and veins leading to my right leg, so they were not able to remove it all surgically without destroying the use of my leg. That may be why they did radiation to the area in addition to the chemo. But it isn't unusual for them to do both...the theory being it's far better to knock everything out the first time than take a chance that a few cells will survive to proliferate again at a later date.

As for being an inspiration...if it helps someone else, then I'm gratified and humbled to be an inspiration. For the most part, I just keep trying to put one foot in front of the other and keep on going!

Ruth