Squamous cell cancer

Hi,   
 

I'm new here, so apologies if I've posted in the wrong place. 
 

My Dad found swollen lymph nodes awhile back, finally went to the GP in the summer, who referred him for a nasodoscooy, which was clear, ultrasound and biopsy carried out, biopsy came back showing malignant poorly differentiated epithelial neoplasm.

CT scan carried out, over the phone he was told clear other than lymph nodes, but need a core biopsy to determine type of cancer. 

He received a phone call yesterday from his ENT Dr, saying he has squamous cell cancer and he would be passing him onto a colleague and that was that. 
 

Google tells me this is a skin cancer, but he hasn't had a mole or lesion biopsied. Does this mean the cancer has spread? 
 

He doesn't seem to be getting much info from the hospital, or maybe he isn't asking the right questions. But there's been no mention of staging, treatment, he hasn't saw an oncologist or a MacMillan nurse and it's been 2 months since they first found malignancy. 
 

I'm an anxious person, and I'm so worried about him, I guess I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of this particular cancer, and any advice about what to expect, I also thought they'd have been a bit quicker with things. 

  • Hello Malibustace

    I'm sorry to hear about your Dad's diagnosis and the uncertainty that you're all still facing. 

    You don't mention where he has had the biopsy taken from but you have said that he's been seen by an ENT specialist. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common type of nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer. You might find it helpful to have a look at this information on our website. 

    Presumably the Dr that your Dad has been referred to is more specialised in the type of diagnosis that your Dad has. However it's understandable that you have questions and are concerned by the uncertainty. 

    I wonder if you might find it helpful to chat things through with one of our team of nurses. I'm sure they will be able to offer some advice and support to help you and your Dad. If you want to talk with them they're available Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    I hope that you have some clearer answers and information soon. Keep in touch and let us know how your Dad gets on. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Hi Jenn, 

    Thank you for your reply, and the link you provided, I'll take a look at that. 
     

    The lymph nodes affected are in his neck. Things have moved on a little, he received a letter yesterday saying metastatic poorly differentiated scc. They are now trying to find the primary, CT scan didn't find any spread, P16 negative, and fibreoptic endoscopy was normal, so things are still not very clear. 
     

    I'm really not coping well at all, and this isn't about me but I'm so sad. 

  • Hello Malibustace

    I'm glad that your Dad has a little more clarity now but obviously, it's still awaiting game at the moment and I know how difficult this can be. 

    It's natural that you're struggling and I know many of our members here will have experienced similar difficulties when a loved one was diagnosed with cancer. 

    I'd really encourage you to chat things through with our team of nurses but you might also find it helpful to have a look at this information on our website about coping emotionally. 

    You're welcome to keep posting here on the forum if it helps to have somewhere to offload how you're feeling. I'm sure that the community will do its best to support you. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator