Radiation-Induced Dysphagia

I had same issues. Got feeding tube. All really good now and weight back on. Haven’t swallowed anything but a sip of water since 2023.

I experienced a different sort of problem years after my cancer treatment in 2006. I spent $4,500, seeing multiple doctors, trying to get a diagnosis, which ended up being baroreflex failure. It's been a roller coaster ride trying to sort that out over the past 8 years. Don't let your father give up on getting answers. The incidence of this cancer is on the rise, and someone out there is probably experiencing the same thing, and they may even have some answers. Good luck!

Tylenol (Amazon )makes a powder which goes down easy and has a nice flavor .
I too am battling weight loss and take three high calorie boost per day in addition to three small meals. I’m not putting on weight but maintaining.
Docs are pushing feeding tube but I’ve avoiding it for a couple of years now.
It’s a quality of life issue.
It’s all pretty depressing,

@56tburd That is interesting and something I haven't read about yet. My father had a couple of episodes of feeling dizzy recently, but has not had any of the other symptoms. He's actually cold all the time, probably because he has no body fat left on him. I will certainly keep this in mind, though, so thank you for mentioning it!

@steve55
I have a PEG MicKey button with a tube that I attach when taking Nutren 2.0 500 kcal each. It lies flat against my stomach. I have regained weight in prep for a new surgery. I work 3 days a week, physically demanding, walk the dog, attend grand kids' events, visit daughter in another state. I take my pills 2x/day with a hot, weak flavored coffee which makes it easier to swallow them. It also tastes good and eases pains in jaw.

@m0h1pp Thank you!

I am from South Jersey. Treated in 2008 and also have dysphagia, neck arthritis, etc. I was treated at Jefferson and my surgeon retired a few years ago. Unfortunately, I don't have any recommendations of Drs. to see. In discussing with my new Dr. in the Jefferson group, there is a general knowledge that dysphagia happens, but not much in terms of treatment. Courses of action (studied and recommended by Drs.) are not prevalent.

In saying that, I do swallowing and neck exercises every day. And, as I'm sure your father knows..... eat small pieces; have the liquid ready. Realize meals will take longer than normal to finish. My wife finishes her meals and I'm only 1/3 to 1/2 way through my first plate. Sometimes I get impatient, rush and then get food stuck in my throat. Or I don't get a second helping because everyone else is finished and I don't want to delay them. We also have to get into a self preservation mode.

I have found I'm better with meals early in the day. Also, talking during meals doesn't help (breath out during talking seems to be counter to getting food down the other way). Smaller meals. Maybe 5 "meals" a day vs 3.

Last, even though we all had some form of throat cancer and treatment in common, we're all different regarding overall health and how the side effects affect us.

Sorry to drone on. I do have my annual follow up at Jefferson in the next few weeks and will do some probing. I'll post again if I gather new information on long term support. And certainly, look for input from blogs like this. They help confirm what we experience as survivors is somewhat common in a general sense and helpful hints are listed.

@jcl2018 Thank you! Have you found that the swallowing and neck exercises help at all?

@njbay The dysphagia will obviously never go away, but I do think the exercises help. So, staying aware of what I can eat and how I can eat is important. I attached a pdf of the exercises I do.

I assume that he has been evaluated for esophageal strictures. If so, strictures can be treated with repeated dilations. Unfortunately, post radiation induced fibrosis is an ongoing process. Increased fibrotic tissue may oft times form adhesion and entrapment of the neck and throat musculoskeletal elements and their innervation that may impair the oral, pharyngeal and esophageal phases of deglutition (swallowing).
Swallowing exercises may be helpful depending upon the severity of fibrosis.
I've had MS related achalasia for > 30 yrs which has been further complicated by my diagnosis and aggressive treatment of stage 4 squamous cell esophageal carcinoma.
I developed sever post radiation fibrosis and stricture formations that rendered me non-PO for liquids and solids. I had G-tube placed 3 yrs ago and it markedly improved my nutritional and hydration status. I was able to regain weight from 122 to 162 lbs over several months and have maintained that weight ever sense.

I was able to find a thoracic surgeon who was able to successfully dilate my esophageal strictures to allow to me to eat and drink again. I have repeat dilations every 3 months.
I still have my G-tube in place to use when I become progressively dysphagic between dilations.

I am also fortunate that one of my daughters is a speech language pathologist who specializes in swallowing disorders associated with strokes, TBIs and cancer. She has assisted/ instructed me with various effective swallowing exercises.