Marilyn Haney

He was first diagnosed with a metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma soft tissue of the lymph node. It was also in his pelvis and to begin with they believed the small cell carcinoma in the lung could be the primary and then he got this other diagnosis....I believe it was somewhere in Washington D.C. I wiill need to check in my brother's medical records again. Should I ask his oncologist could the tumor in his lung be a small cell sarcoma

Berta....what I mean by and/or small cell lung cancer.....To begin with they thought the tumor in the lung was small cell lung cancer....because they were looking for primary tumor. Thank you for all your help

No he was not. My brother lived in Panama City when that diagnosis was made. He had to move to Dothan due to his home was destroyed during the hurricane. This diagnosis was given by a veteran approved doctor in Panama city. To begin with in Panama City he had an mri and a biopsy of the lymph node....and it was diagnosed as a metastatic small cell neuroendocrine tumor. When he moved ....he started going to an oncologist in Dothan...the oncologist sent it to another place on the results and they diagnosed it as a merkel cell carcinoma in soft tissue. Would the difference matter? We also are going tomorrow to get the results of the last PET SCAN...

Berta, I do believe his medical records were sent by the DAV when he first applied. He was first diagnosed as having metastatic neuroendocrine cancer in the lymph node pelvis and lung. Then he got the second diagnosis as merkel cell. We go back to his oncologist tomorrow. The oncologist is suppose to have a letter to send to the VA. I know my bro has taken the info to the secretary that has been shared with me to give to the doctor. I am sorry if I put my reply in the wrong place when I wrote the other post. I will make sure today that my bro has taken all the info to the oncologist today....Thanks again for your help

Berta, I was going through my brother's medical records. He was first diagnosed with metastatic neuroendocrine cancer /and/or small cell lung carcinoma. Then they diagnosed him with merkel cell.....Would this matter....Also since we did not get the doctor's report in to VA in time....we would just reapply with oncology's report...correct. Thank you and others for all your info and help

My brother has tumors in his lung....but since the merkel cell is the primary this wouldn't be considered on the list of lung cancer.....We are going to the doctor Tuesday....and I am praying the doctor wrote his letter to the VA just the way it needs to be wrote...I know I have not dealt with the VA the way most of you have, but I can't understand why when all points to the cause of my brother's cancer was due to Viet Nam, but it has to be a play of words for them to approve him....My brother would have never filed if he didn't feel like it was due to his service in Viet Nam...and the wait sometimes when it has already reached a place when it needs to be took care of now....I just need to get an understanding on this. My brother was in combat every day that he was over there...and it may be ugly for me to say but it seems like he is still in a fight for the help he needs. Am I wrong to feel this way. My brother does not smoke so they can't say it was caused from this. I want to help my brother get the help he needs now....and I know I should not get agitated....but what about the Vets and their families of what they have been through and are still going through....We are blessed that they do cover my brother's medical costs....but I can't understand just because merkel cell is a rare cancer does not mean that Viet Nam could not have been the cause of his cancer. I apologise if I am not suppose to vent my heart....but this is my brother as all of you know you and your family are important and you want to reach out and do what is best for them...and I am scared I may do something wrong that may get my bro denied again because I didn't say the right choice of words....My heart goes out to other vets who are also in this position

Thank you so much for this information.

My brother who was a viet nam medic who has been diagnosed with advance merkel cell carcinoma. thus far it is in his lung, groin and pelvis....He was continually in the field as a medic so he was exposed daily to Agent Orange. He has applied for disability due to this. He had to quit his job. I have heard this is not on the list for agent orange. I have seen where several Viet Nam vets have been diagnosed with this type cancer. My brother is not a smoker. His oncologist says this type cancer could have been caused by agent orange. Has anyone been approved due to agent orange for merkel cell carcinoma