LYMPH GLAND METASTASIS
PRIMARY CANCER UNDETECTED

Mr Geoff H.

Herts. UK.

70 years

Dr Alcock

Oxford U.K.

Neck lymph glands Metastasis, primary source could not detected.

2000

Mr Geoff H was treated by Professors of Oncology at Oxford. They had told him there were no further curative treatments they could offer him.

Mr Geoff H. asked for a letter for his nephew, a pathologist in South Africa to see if there was anything he could do. This letter is the reply to the pathologist Dr M. H. and Mr Geoff H. the patient.

2001
Oxford Radford Hospital

Dear Dr M. H.,

I am writing in response to your letter received on 19th February 2001 from your uncle Mr Geoff H. Herts. UK. Your uncle was first seen by me at the end of September, in the combined clinic with Head and Neck Surgeon Graham Cox.

Your uncle had presented to his general practitioner in August with a 5-10 cm swelling on the left side of his neck.

He was seen in the Head and Neck Clinic on 14th August with a six week history of swelling, and some difficulty swallowing. There are no other significant symptoms.

When examined in the Head and Neck Clinic, the mass was measured at 6x6 cm. and fixed to the left lower neck.

A fine needle aspiration was carried out and sent for cytological assessment reported as follows: “Blood and some poorly differentiated malignant cells present, ? small cell”.

Dr Williams investigated your uncle and carried out a bronchoscope that reported “No endobronchial lesion. Bronchial lavage has shown no significant cells”.

An MRI scan was carried out, which reported “4-5cm diameter multi-lobulated high T2 signal mass arising from deep to the left parotid gland that extends posteriorly around the neck vessels to almost encircle the trachea in the upper spine level, causing deviation of the trachea to the right, but no significant narrowing. It appears to be fairly well defined but extensive… I could not see any obvious abnormality in the remainder of the neck, chest, medial or abdomen. 3 cm cyst in the left kidney which I am sure is of no clinical significance. I think this is most unlikely to be operable as it appears to encircle several of the major vessels in the neck and upper mediastinum.

When I examined your uncle there was clearly a large swelling in the lower neck, fixed to structures and clearly inoperable.

Following discussion with your uncle by the multi-disciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Group, it was recommended that your uncle underwent external irradiation to the neck and upper mediastinum, in the hope of palliating his symptoms.

Apart from discussions with you uncle and his wife on 26th September, I also had a long chat with them a week or two later, when attended for planning radiotherapy, and answered the few questions they put to me.

The conclusion was that he had a malignant tumour, probably within a lymph node in the left neck, with no obvious primary detected.

I am sure you will know from your own practice that this is not uncommon, and that at this point during the patient’s follow-up the patient's primary becomes apparent.

Your uncle’s most recent appointment was on 22nd January 2001, in the combined clinic with Mr Cox. There had been a reduction in the size of the swelling in the neck. It was explained to your uncle, that surgery is not an option, that radiation has shrunk the tumour but disease is still present. Future treatment may be possible, to alleviate symptoms (for example cytotoxic chemotherapy might be of benefit in the right circumstance). However we do not currently have treatment to cure your uncle’s tumour, which first presented at an advanced stage.

With kind regards,
Yours sincerely

Dr D.C Alcock

2005

I received an Email from Mr Geoff H. on 17/10/2005 which said:

Our trip to Turkey was quite enjoyable…

On a visit to the Oncologist on our return, I was considered to be clear of the neck Cancer.

Fibrosis of the radiotherapy area has gradually paralysed my Shoulder & Neck muscles, the muscles used in swallowing, and my Larynx, a severe loss of speech and difficulty in swallowing meant my diet became 'specialised' which again put an increased burden on our pension........I just could not face a future of living on NHS Ensure liquids, added to all this my posture has developed quite a list to starboard, stressing the muscles under the left ribcage, causing much pain and discomfort…

Geoff H.

2005

While I we are all delighted about beating the cancer, there is nothing anyone can do about the unnecessary mutilation done by the Oxford Radiologist in 2001. Without that irradiation, Mr Geoff H. would have been able to enjoy the quality of life today he sought by going to Turkey for his holiday.

Mr Geoff H. lived less than 10 minutes drive from where I was living at the time, so I saw him monthly when I delivered him the Sojo Products remedy, and we spent hours together talking over many things including his disease. He gave me the copy of this letter because he wanted everyone to know about his story and hopefully save many more terminal patients with cancer, and the permanent and debilitating effects of current cancer treatments.

For this reason Mr Geoff H.’s wife, Nursing Sister Mrs N.H. referred a colleague from 30+ years ago who had been a friend ever since. Senior Nursing Sister D.B. Cervical Cancer story is also at this site.