Head and neck cancer started as ‘pebble-size’ lump

April is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, and one man shares his story about his diagnosis and care

By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org

The first time Hector Basham had the slightest indication that something was different with his features was when a small lump appeared underneath his earlobe. He was living in Washington, DC working in a government position.

After a CT scan, he was told the lump was a benign module that should be monitored. That was in 2015. He continued to keep an eye on the bump looking for any growth. Not much changed until December of 2023. Basham was living in Lafayette, where he grew up, and was commuting to his job with the Department of Homeland Security, four hours away.

“I was tired. I was stressed and I thought I had low testosterone, so I went for bloodwork,” said Basham, who was 48 at the time. “I started testosterone injections not knowing cancer was dormant but lingering. It appears that could have been a contributing factor to making the cancer come alive,” he said.

It was the second week in December 2023 when the pebble-sized lump had grown to the size of a golf ball and then a tennis ball. The right side of Basham’s neck changed, and his face took on a different shape.

Born in Puerto Rico, Basham, moved to Lafayette, Ind, in 1992 and lived with a family who became his legal guardians. He became a US citizen and pursued his love of baseball, playing with a semi-professional team. He attended college and served for the US Coast Guard. Twenty-two years ago he transitioned to the Department of Homeland Security working in law enforcement.

“I was exposed to radiation for many years because of military work and for a long time I used smokeless tobacco. There are many factors that contributed to my diagnosis, but my gut feeling is that the testosterone injections were a big cause,” said Basham, 50, who is married to Erika.

On Jan. 21, 2024, Basham got the call. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 head and neck cancer of the salivary gland. The rare diagnosis accounts for less than 1% of all cancer and less than 5% of head and neck malignancies. It was through personal research that Basham found Dr. Michael Moore at IU Health.

“It just so happened that Dr. Moore is one of the most prominent surgeons for this type of cancer and he was just an hour away,” said Basham. “From that first call he said we needed to move quickly.” He had his first surgery on Jan. 29, 2024, at IU Health Methodist Hospital. The tumor was sitting right over Basham’s facial nerve, and the intricate procedure took 13 hours. Dr. Moore removed the tissue, Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr. Taha Shipchandler used tissue from Basham’s leg to reconstruct the area where the tumor was removed, and Dr. Charles Yates worked on the otolaryngology and neurotology side of the procedure.

Afterward, he experienced facial palsy for about six months and hearing loss on his right side. He also had temporary loss of his eyesight and was unable to close his eye. His hearing has not recovered; his eyesight has.

He was discharged after a week and began aggressive chemotherapy and radiation simultaneously for 33 days. Then treatment was put on hold to give his body time to heal. About three months later, a PET scan showed the cancer had metastasized to his liver, lungs and lymph nodes.

“I was basically given a week to live,” said Basham. That’s when he was connected to Dr. Gregory Durm who specializes in hematology oncology. “I found a traditional type of holistic treatment and started treatments with Dr. Durm simultaneously. He was treated at both IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center and Simon Cancer Center. More than once, Basham wasn’t sure he’d live through treatments, but now he feels like he’s turned a corner and the cancer is at bay.

“It’s a miracle I’m here now – walking and talking. Dr. Moore and Dr. Durm are the reason.” Basham was invited to share his experiences at a head and neck cancer symposium in California and joined Dr. Moore speaking about his diagnosis and healing. He has also joined Dr. Moore outside the healthcare arena – pursuing their shared love of golfing.

Basham continues his immunotherapy treatments and is gradually picking up normal family activities and interests. He and his wife have a blended family of five children. “I literally wouldn’t be where I am without my wife. She was a silent patient – doing everything I couldn’t do.”

During his rehabilitation, Basham has had plenty of time to think about what is next for him.

“I always had a calling for pastoral work but was too busy in life flying aircrafts and chasing bad guys. This cancer hit hard and God got my attention.” Basham pursued a degree in ministry and is serving a church in Lafayette. He also plans to share his story any chance he gets.