Nathan Blair

PATIENT STORIES - NATHAN BLAIR

​​In February 2020, a biopsy showed that I had a squamous cell carcinoma of skin origin (cSCC) on my right cheek which was surgically removed.

The pathology reported the lesion was poorly differentiated and had perineural invasion, meaning that a nerve was involved with the cancer.

My dermatologist was concerned with this and referred me to a radiation oncologist to see if I was potentially a candidate for radiation therapy.

In the week leading up to my consultation with the radiation oncologist in early April, two lumps grew on either side of my jaw. I have noticed these lumps before, and they would go away after a few days. In this situation, only the lump on the left-hand side of my jaw disappeared.

At my consult (which was on a Tuesday), imaging was arranged after examining the lump and a consult with a head and neck surgeon was made for that Thursday.

After my consult with the surgeon, surgery was arranged for the following Tuesday.

I had a partial parotidectomy, which also included removing part of my salivary gland and lymph nodes.

Two months later, I had weeks of radiation treatment which was followed by a 9 month course of immunotherapy.

Nathan Blair