BALUVIA

Hi Baluvia,
The immunotherapy that I am on is Nivolumab. Chemo initially shrunk my tumor. When it showed slight growth is when I changed treatment to the immunotherapy. This drug has kept the tumor stable, no new growth. I initially went to Vanderbilt University for second opinion and since they did not have the study immediately available for me they referred me to Tennessee Oncology. I receive treatment every two weeks, pretty much no side effects from it which is great. I have cat scans every 8 weeks. Due for another one on 2/24 next week.

On 6 / 2012 I was diagnose with Epiglottic mass multiple fragments of squamous papilloma with marked acute chronic inflammation the recommendation was complete removal of any residual mass as the tissue present may not be of the remaining tumor Supraglottic mass in region of false cords 3.6cm mass 2.5 x 2.1x2.5 cm on left pharynx at base of epiglottis extending to false cords stage 3 cancer now. I was first told I had to have a full Laryngectomy and radiation I ask about the robot surgery the dr told me at kaiser they do not use it and it dose not get all cancer after that the dr said we are going to do chemo & radiation first to see how that does. well first chemo treatment I lost 45 % of hearing had to change chemo meds and the radiation. well I was 6-7 and 345 pd's when I was done I was 265 the whole time I kept telling them they where burning me I could feel it in my throat and the mask had gotten loose because of weight loss and I was moving under mask they told me not to worry it was normal well they ended up burning my Epiglottis so it is folded in a horseshoe shape so when I eat or drink food and water go's in lungs being treated at V.A. now and they say I have to have Laryngectomy now to stop this. They also said had I came to them first they could had used robot and save me from this Laryngectomy. I have been in remission for 18 months now. Before I go through this surgery does anyone know of any treatment to unfold the epiglottis ?

Welcome to the WhatNext family! The WhatNext family is made up of people like you who are looking for help or looking to help others. To help you along your journey the WhatNext family has put together a Beginner's Guide to Cancer that I highly recommend you check-out here: http://bit.ly/10BQKCi. Also, please do not hesitate to reach out to others or ask for help.

Wishing you the best.

David
Founder, WhatNexter