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Scar tissue in throat caused by radiation and chemo treatment
Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: Sep 10 5:41pm | Replies (113)Comment receiving replies
I don't know if I have scar tissue. I was treated with radiation for melanoma at the base of my tongue in 2010. I had surgery for cancer at the underside of my tongue and soft palate in 2020 at OHSU. After that, the following years I was getting periodic fevers due to food aspiration. Since 2023 I have been on a feeding tube. No food or water orally. In December 2023 I had a swallowing, but it was cut short when the first swallow I did when down my lungs. OHSU said that there was nothing that could been done and that I would been on a feeding tube the rest of my life and my condition was guarded. The doctors their said that they have seen this before due to amount of radiation received in my first cancer treatment. I see an ENT at least every year to scope my throat. Any recommendations on who to see?
Replies to "I don't know if I have scar tissue. I was treated with radiation for melanoma at..."
@krisohlson
After my husband’s 2nd round of chemo and radiation for head and neck cancer, he had lost the ability to swallow very well. His surgeon then did a throat dilation and it did help. Then did it as an outpatient surgery and it is a very short procedure. He also had a swallow test that showed a very limited opening.
Could you get a consultation with someone at the cancer center in Seattle?
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@krisohlson wish I could help you out but. You could apply to some larger cancer clinics or Mayo Clinic. There is a good one down near LA but the name escapes me.
Locally or even in the Oregon and Washington state area, nothing comes to mind.
Many of the university hospitals are to me less impressive than most people believe because after all, they are either teaching or learning rather than focusing on the patient.
Places like Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, John’s Hopkins put the patient first and work as a team to the patient’s best possible health.
It seems you have not given up whilst your doctors already have. That’s not good for you or them. I wish you well and stay in the battle.