Aussie Mom's Cancer Misdiagnosed as Sinuses
- Australian mom of three was diagnosed with a rare cancer after giving birth to third son; she experienced flu-like symptoms and was initially misdiagnosed with sinus issues and a sore throat.
- The 28-year-old mom was later diagnosed with stage 4 NUT carcinoma (NC), also known as NUT midline carcinoma, a very rare cancer that can grow anywhere in the body.
- It’s important to push for a correct diagnosis and be your own best health advocate.
After scans and a biopsy, she was diagnosed with NUT midline carcinoma in her nose. According to Cancer.gov, “NUT carcinoma (NC), also known as NUT midline carcinoma, is a type of rare cancer that can grow anywhere in the body. Usually, it is found in the head, neck, and lungs. NC grows from the squamous cells in the body, which are cells that make up the skin and lining of some organs, like the lungs and stomach.”
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Camilleri’s Cancer Journey & Understanding NUT Midline Carcinoma
NUT midline carcinoma is a very rare type of cancer that can grow anywhere in the body and spread to other parts of the body. For Camilleri, this cancer began in her nose and presented as flu-like symptoms. She also experienced pain in her nose and her teeth three days after giving birth. An MRI and CT scans revealed that Camilleri had a large tumor in her maxillary sinus, by her nose, and the mom felt anxious and scared, she says. The Daily Mail reports how the mom of three says, “I just felt numb, my heart shattered into a million pieces.” She continues, saying, “All I remember is falling to the floor and just thinking of my three boys and my family. It was soul-crushing, no words anyone deserves to hear.”For treatment, she is undergoing immunotherapy, along with two doses of chemotherapy every three weeks. Treatment is expensive, and donations from her GoFundMe page are meant to offset the cost of treatment for the family.
Immunotherapy is Considered a "Powerful Tool"
Pushing for a Correct Diagnosis
Before her diagnosis, Camilleri was misdiagnosed with sinus issues. It’s important to push for answers when something feels off and to lead each doctor’s appointment with a plan. If what your doctor is telling you doesn’t feel or seem right, push back and ask for more tests and more answers.
If needed, seek out a second, third, or fourth opinion. Cases of misdiagnosis are not uncommon, and the sooner you get a correct diagnosis, the sooner you can begin treatment for your health issue. Our experts advise that you shouldn’t be afraid to be “pushy” and push back on the doctor’s information, and ask more questions. Your health is the most important thing, and you are your most powerful advocate.
Be Pushy, Be Your Own Advocate… Don't Settle
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