Anyone with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the epiglottis?

My 86 year old grandmother was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the epiglottis. The cancer formed a huge tumor within 2 months. It starts at the epiglottic or base of the tounge and continues up the left side of her neck, up to her ear. The doctors are only gonna do radiation on her. I was just wondering if anyone knew the life span of this situation?

This is a tough cancer and projected treatment regimen for anyone and especially an 86 yr old lady. Her cancer is probably already very advanced and what they will be doing is palliative treatment with the radiation. Make sure the treatment has realistic goals and that your grandmother understands the radiation will greatly hinder her ability to eat and swallow (the cancer will also cause the same type of problems as time passes). Be prepared to get her enrolled with hospice when the time comes. My guess (and it is just a guess) is that your grandmother has less than a year. I'm very sorry.


http://www.emedicine.com/ent/topic716.ht...

http://www.emedicine.com/plastic/topic37...

http://www.hospicenet.org/html/services....

Ninety percent of laryngeal cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. Smoking, alcohol abuse, and being black, male, and > 60 yr increase risk. Early diagnosis is common because vocal, swallowing, or respiratory symptoms develop early. Diagnosis is based on laryngoscopy and biopsy. Treatment is with surgery and sometimes radiation. Reestablishment of speaking ability is generally needed.

Since the tumor grew so fast, the prognosis is pretty grim. The docs are only irradiating the area because they feel she is a poor surgical, chemo, and rehabilitation candidate. Because of the tumor's location, the radiation is a necessity to maintain an open airway without your grandma undergoing a tracheostomy. She may need one down the road, though.
Radiation kills cancerous tissue as well as some of the healthy tissue around the tumor. There are side effects, of course. The tissue hardens and dries up, leaving thick, sticky saliva which can be difficult to manage, plus reduced muscle movement, which makes chewing a challenge. All of those, plus the location and size of the tumor, make swallowing extremely difficult, so the likeliest scenario is she will need a gastrostomy (feeding tube, or PEG) in order to get enough food and liquid into her.
Oral communication will also be compromised.
If it was me or a family member, I'd opt for hospice, particularly at 86. This is a case of "living with the treatment is worse than dying with the disease".
As far as life expectancy goes, no one knows for sure; not even the doctors. Considering the speed at which the tumor has grown, it shouldn't take very long, though.