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Scar tissue in throat caused by radiation and chemo treatment

Posted by keith123 @keith123, Jan 22, 2019

Is there anything done to remove scar tissue so you can eat?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Head & Neck Cancer Support Group.

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blondeboss | @blondeboss | Sep 7 2:22pm
In reply to @krisohlson "I don't know if I have scar tissue. I was treated with radiation for melanoma at..." + (show)
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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?

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@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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terrycleckler | @terrycleckler | Sep 10 5:40pm
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @keith123 and welcome to Connect. I've added your message to the Head & Neck Cancer..." + (show)
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Hi @keith123 and welcome to Connect. I've added your message to the Head & Neck Cancer group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/head-neck-cancer/) so that you can meet others who know first hand about scar tissue in the throat caused by cancer treatments. Members like @alpaca @karly @skoshi @jimchardy @wayno1234 and others know first hand how the treatments and scar tissue make eating such a challenge.

While we wait for other members to join the discussion, here are some other discussions you might be interested in as well:

* Soft Food Suggestions https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/soft-food-suggestions/
* Esophageal cancer….transitioning to food https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/esophageal-cancer-transitioning-to-food/
* Life after head and neck cancer treatment https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/life-after-head-and-neck-cancer-treatment/

Keith, we look forward to getting to know you. What type of cancer did you have? Did you have a feeding tube?

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@colleenyoungesophageal cancer and yes I had a jtube for 8 weeks after ivor Lewis surgery

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terrycleckler | @terrycleckler | Sep 10 5:41pm

I’m getting an iron infusion every four weeks and it makes me so sick for 3days after infusion.

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