As in the past, I will discuss some observations as a chemical scientist with cancer.

In 2013-4, I was treated for stage 4 squamous cell throat and separately, stage 4 prostate cancer and have been in remission since.

I picked up a new cancer as well as another precancer diagnosis a few weeks ago in late July, 2025. My very first colonoscopy (!!) identified several small precancerous polyps which were snipped out. The procedure was a breeze as was the much-derided colon-blow opening festivity. Propofol is amazing stuff.

Eleven days ago, I had my second partial glossectomy. The first in 2022 turned up a precancerous squamous cell lesion on the side of my tongue. The second, last week, removed a squamous cell tumor. A shallow, nickel-sized piece of tongue was removed along the middle-left edge. A skin graft from my arm was not performed, thankfully. Imagine having a hairy skin graft on your tongue!!

Prior to the surgery, I had to sanitize my arms, legs and torso with chlorhexidine (below as the gluconate), a common antiseptic. They even reamed out my nostrils with Povidone-Iodine. Incidentally Betadine is a trade name of Povidone-Iodine. First time for body-wide sanitization.

Graphic from chemical supplier TCI from Google images. This structure is the digluconate salt. Notice that the lower structure is a carboxylic acid and the chlorhexidine structure above is an is called a bibisquanide. Altogether there are 2 acid protons and 10 basic nitrogen atoms. The combination is actually an ammonium/iminium salt for water solubility.

Povidone is the polymer poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone). It is used in many medicaments and is regarded as relatively safe. The chemical structure is shown below.

Image from Wikipedia. Povidone Iodine is a broad spectrum bactericide useful against bacteria, protozoans, fungi and viruses. It is prepared by combining PVP with hydrogen iodide and iodine. It slowly releases iodine in situ.

/*begin anecdote*/

Of interest to me is the use of N-vinylpyrrolidone. In a previous life I had prepared poly-NVP by solution polymerization on many occasions as a base for experimental liquid ink charge carriers in xerographic imaging. Very simple to make. The point was to replace existing liquid inks that used flammable hydrocarbon solvents. The startup who recruited my small startup went under because the solvent they were banking on didn’t dry fast enough for their economic model. The whole thing rode on the use of low viscosity 0.5 centistoke silicon fluids.

The business plan was to provide the photocopiers at low cost and then rack in the profits on consumables- a common strategy in the printing business. The founders were all retired from the giants of the photocopier industry. They knew all about the technology except for this seemingly small ink modification.

Alas, the drying rate was far too low and the image transfer was of persistent low quality. The elderly and retired engineer behind this invention fell over dead in the middle of it. He provided the patents but never actually built a prototype or even physically investigated the suitability of silicone fluids and ink composition. It was a big handwaving exercise that the founders bought hook, line and sinker. In the end, the sinker took them to the bottom still grasping for that golden ring they so desired.  

/*end anecdote*/

The ever-popular opioid fentanyl was part of the basket of anesthetics used in the partial glossectomy procedure. A little mentioned side effect of fentanyl is extreme itchiness, particularly of the face. In post-op I had this in spades and it was very uncomfortable for several hours. My interest in the chemistry of fentanyl had never fully ballooned to include side effects.

The tumor board at the university hospital I go to voted that I should undergo exploratory surgery to examine the many nearby neck lymph nodes for evidence of spread. This would point to further treatment. My throat cancer was discovered when a swollen sentinel lymph node fused to my carotid artery and decorated my neckline.

I’ll admit that a salad of pessimism and resignation with breadsticks of nihilism has arrived at my table at life’s Olive Garden. Much depends on how the upcoming lymph node surgery will come out. We’ll have to wait and see.