Tonsil cancer

Hello 

my husband is 62 and has overcome cancer twice in his left tonsil and voice box with radiotherapy chemo and a 14 hour op which left him unable to eat or drink.  He has been peg fed for 13 years but cancer free and completely fit in every other regard.  However after finding a few lumps under his chin tests have shown two of the lumps are cancerous.  We are awaiting a ct scan now and I am petrified.  Our Macmillan nurse has told us that they believe this is a tonsil cancer.  
 

I am worried this is in his lungs as he has had a bad cough for weeks but he has recently had tests and blood tests at the hospital and they have shown no markers for cancer.  I know head and neck cancer don't show up on usual blood tests but lung cancer would ????? 

  • Hello and thank you for your post,

    I am very sorry to hear about your husband's situation.

    Waiting for the CT scan to take place and then the results must be a worrying time for you both. I can appreciate your concern that the cancer could have spread to his lungs but it does seem that he has had some tests done that do not indicate that it has. However I think it is possible that the CT scan will also look at other parts of his body and this could include the lung. If there is a fear that cancer has recurred doctors will often want to see where it could have spread to. Your husband's Macmillan nurse may be able to say if the CT scan will look at his lungs so do ask.  |

    This must be a worrying time for you both so please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care,

    Caroline