156: Jonathan Gegerson survived head and neck cancer | salivary duct carcinoma | taxol | herceptin

In 2019, Jonathan Gegerson sought medical attention went he felt a lump on the right side of his neck.  After a couple of scans and a biopsy, he was diagnosed with salivary duct carcinoma, a rare form of head and neck cancer.  Jonathan survived, but not before enduring 67 sessions of radiation, 12 cycles of chemotherapy (carboplatin, taxol, herceptin) and seven surgeries.  He still undergoes a targeted therapy on a monthly basis, and the surgery has affected his speech and his diet, but Jonathan has resumed an active lifestyle that includes skiing and hiking.   Jonathan Gegerson thought his health was outstanding.  He was an active skier and liked to hike up Colorado's 14ers (mountains whose peaks exceed 14,000 feet), but was perplexed when he discovered a lump on the right side of his neck.   He did not waste any time seeking medical attention and went to his primary care physician.  She conducted a physical examination and asked if Jonathan had recently undergone a root canal or some dental procedure that could result in an infection.  When he said no, the doctor sent Jonathan to an oncologist, who called for a CT scan, a PET scan and a biopsy.  That's when he was diagnosed with head and neck cancer, even though at the time doctors could not specify what type of head and neck cancer.   His doctor in Colorado said Jonathan would need to undergo surgery, followed by radiation treatment and chemotherapy.  When Jonathan learned his care team had no experience with dealing with his type of cancer, he sought a second opinion from MD Anderson in Houston, Texas.  The doctors at MD Anderson suggested the same regimen, but Jonathan switched to them because they had experience dealing with salivary duct carcinoma.   His care team told him his treatment would result in a tightening of his face and would affect his speech, in addition to his ability to chew and swallow.   The chemotherapy regimen included carboplatin, taxol and herceptin.  He said the chemo left him weak and tired, especially two days after each round of treatment.  This, he said, was very frustrating because he was accustomed to being active.  During this time, the best he could do was go on short walks.   When Jonathan experienced a recurrence, he was placed on a targeted therapy of kadcyla and herceptin.  He eventually achieved survivorship but must continue to be on a monthly targeted therapy of unhertu and herceptin.   Jonathan Gegerson says his health is approximately 75 percent of what it was before his diagnosis, but he feels he blessed that he is living, is back to hiking and skiing, and hopes to continue skiing until he is 90 years old.   Additional Resources: Jonathan's Book: "Perspective C," available on Amazon and Kindle  https://a.co/d/4iW9BQ6