Ruth/Mom/Grammy met with her radiation oncologist today. Dr. Barker told her the growth is cancer of the larynx and hypopharynx. They used to treat this type of cancer with surgery and radiation, but in the 1970's studies began to evaluate the use of radiation and chemotherapy instead. This helps preserve the larynx and thus the voice. There are 2 kinds of radiation/chemotherapy regiments - concurrent and sequential. In concurrent, radiation and chemotherapy are given at the same time. This regiment, although it can get better results, can be very toxic and hard on the elderly. In sequential, chemotherapy is given first, followed by radiation at a later time. It is less toxic and the complete regiment lasts longer. Although its results are not quite as positive as concurrent, it still has positive results in shrinking and eradicating the cancer. It is better for someone of mom's age and health so she has decided to go with sequential treatment. We will meet with mom's chemotherapy oncologist next week for confirmation, but Dr. Barker has talked to him and believes sequential will be the regiment of choice.
Future Appointments:
CT scan for planning radiaton treatments
PET scan to make sure the cancer has not spread
Initial visit with chemotherapy oncologist
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