MichFan Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 My understanding of cancer surgery is that it is typically done to resect as much of the cancer as possible so that any other treatment provided has an increased chance of success. Apparently the doctors don't see a risk vs. reward benefit to any further surgery and will move directly to other treatments. In some cases, resection alone may remove all cancer cells and therefore further treatments are not pursued. This is apparently what happened with Jim's first surgery. I've also seen this approach taken with early stage breast cancer when limited to one or two masses and when tissue margins from the surgery are zero (lumpectomy) and with non-metastatic kidney cancer where removal of the kidney alone is considered a cure most of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichFan Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 I tend to agree. Wondering why there was no chemo and radiation after the 1st surgery. This is so sad. It's easy to second guess the decision not to pursue further treatment the first time, but the doctors were following established care protocols. Chances were probably very good that Jim's first surgery was going to be all he needed, so why would they risk complications that can arise from treatments such as chemo and rads. My wife had cancer and was cured with chemo alone. Standard practice for her cancer up until the year she was treated involved rads after chemo. Her oncologist said rads were no longer standard care because chemo alone was so effective and it wasn't worth the risk of other things that could happen if she had rads. She's going on 10 years cancer free now, in hindsight it appears her oncologist was right and now she lives with much less fear of other cancers related to rads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 It's easy to second guess the decision not to pursue further treatment the first time, but the doctors were following established care protocols. Chances were probably very good that Jim's first surgery was going to be all he needed, so why would they risk complications that can arise from treatments such as chemo and rads. My wife had cancer and was cured with chemo alone. Standard practice for her cancer up until the year she was treated involved rads after chemo. Her oncologist said rads were no longer standard care because chemo alone was so effective and it wasn't worth the risk of other things that could happen if she had rads. She's going on 10 years cancer free now, in hindsight it appears her oncologist was right and now she lives with much less fear of other cancers related to rads. Just wondering....not my place to 2nd guess. I will say I'm surprised he didn't go to Roswell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 I will say I'm surprised he didn't go to Roswell. Not surprising at all. It's standard practice among Buffalo's "two-percent" class that Cleveland or New York are where you go for cancer treatment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack_spikes Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Not surprising at all. It's standard practice among Buffalo's "two-percent" class that Cleveland or New York are where you go for cancer treatment. Maybe it's less about the "two percent"(wherever that comes from), and more about Roswell Park being a legend in their own minds only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsWest Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 My wife went through aggressive inflammatory breast cancer. Surgery, chemo, and radiation. I guess they can never tell her she's cured, so there's always that doubt when something is abnormal. I hope Jim is getting the best advice and fastest treatment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kellyto83TD Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 It sure as hell looks like the guy he has now is the best he can get... http://www.nyhni.org/find-a-physician/Peter-D-Costantino-MD,FACS Some info on the cancer he has. http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/nasal-cavity-and-paranasal-sinus-cancer Since his Dr has stated its in his maxillary sinus and adjacent tissues, I did a search Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac4095 Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Keeping fingers crossed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EasternOHBillsFan Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 My boss had the same kind of cancer, and the problem with it being in the jaw and head area is that it greatly affects many functions... unlike the other kinds mentioned here. It ravaged his immune system, and it was very tough... I still cannot believe it is happening to someone I know AGAIN..... My grandfather died of brain cancer, so make that THREE.... but he lived in the dark ages when it got him, i.e. 1983. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max997 Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 (edited) It's easy to second guess the decision not to pursue further treatment the first time, but the doctors were following established care protocols. Chances were probably very good that Jim's first surgery was going to be all he needed, so why would they risk complications that can arise from treatments such as chemo and rads. My wife had cancer and was cured with chemo alone. Standard practice for her cancer up until the year she was treated involved rads after chemo. Her oncologist said rads were no longer standard care because chemo alone was so effective and it wasn't worth the risk of other things that could happen if she had rads. She's going on 10 years cancer free now, in hindsight it appears her oncologist was right and now she lives with much less fear of other cancers related to rads. it surprised me is all, wasnt second guessing...every cancer and treatment are different but surgery will often be followed with chemo and/or rads just to be sure they got it all to try and prevent it from returning since recurrences usually happen in the first year after initial treatment. Edited March 28, 2014 by Max997 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zow2 Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Not surprising at all. It's standard practice among Buffalo's "two-percent" class that Cleveland or New York are where you go for cancer treatment. I think what he might have meant was surprised Jim didn't go to Roswell the first time around. I believe he went to ECMC for the surgery...but maybe he conferred with other experts in WNY. Who knows.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#89 Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 All I can say is that I'm scared yet hopeful. The Chemo is going to take a serious toll on the family. I don't think anyone is prepared to see their loved ones look as ill as they do going through it. Yes, Jim is a strong man but so was my Larry. He shaved his head and facial hair off before the chemo took it and then surprised me when I was working at the mall. This guy just kept leaning on the counter smiling and I thought what is up with that guy. Then he spoke and it was my husband of 23 years and I didn't know who he was. It's a scary sad time for the whole Kelly family. Pray every day for all of them. They are even in my dreams which makes me pray even more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bufcomments Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 You know he getting the best care in the world but still this is scary news when you have to do Chemo. God bless the Kelly fam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbb Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Just wondering....not my place to 2nd guess. I will say I'm surprised he didn't go to Roswell. The reason for this is because the top head and neck guy moved from Roswell to ECMC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 The reason for this is because the top head and neck guy moved from Roswell to ECMC. Thanks for this answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Jill Kelly's Facebook page is updated and indicates that surgery is not an option for Jim because the cancer is in areas that cannot be reached. The specialists are recommending chemotherapy and radiation. I'm not sure this is a good sign. Medical people: Your thoughts? ....a truly nasty week for Bills fans. BAsed on its location, sounds like it would be tough to get a clean margin after the original surgery. Knowing that a recurrance would be difficult to access, I'm surprised he wouldn't get adjuvant therapy after first resection. This is a recurrence only 9 months after a resction ment to be curative. My understanding of cancer surgery is that it is typically done to resect as much of the cancer as possible so that any other treatment provided has an increased chance of success. Apparently the doctors don't see a risk vs. reward benefit to any further surgery and will move directly to other treatments. In some cases, resection alone may remove all cancer cells and therefore further treatments are not pursued. This is apparently what happened with Jim's first surgery. I've also seen this approach taken with early stage breast cancer when limited to one or two masses and when tissue margins from the surgery are zero (lumpectomy) and with non-metastatic kidney cancer where removal of the kidney alone is considered a cure most of the time. Lumpectomy for invasive (margin negative) breast cancer is foolowed by radiation routinely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkyMannn Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 (edited) A lot of people here with stories about people that beat cancer. That's great to read My sister had breast cancer some 22 years ago and is still going OK Edited March 27, 2014 by MarkyMannn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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