Has anyone had surgery to remove scar tissue?

Dear @mindyt, I have had radiation for Pyriform Sinus Cancer. These two pouches, are located down by the vocal cords. My pen-pal friend has also had radiation for throat cancer. We both suffer in different ways. Your question about surgery to remove scar tissue is a good one. Here is what we have both been told by several different ENT's: Radiated tissue can become necrotic (rot) if any type of surgery is performed. One ENT described radiated tissue as "mush." Unfortunately, it can become necrotic on its own too. My friend has been on a feeding tube for over two years, as she can not eat, drink, and can barely talk. Her Epiglottis is fused to her throat from the radiation. Any tampering could produce disastrous results. We both have tracheotomies, as my Vocal Cords are paralyzed. I could barely breathe, thus, the Tracheotomy. Everyone is different, but when it comes to radiated tissue, it is a sad situation. As the doctors usually say, "at least you are alive." I foresee the day when less destructive methods are utilized to cure cancer, however, it probably will not be in my lifetime, as I am in my 60s. Good luck Mindy, and know you are not alone. Stay close to our maker, and you will find peace.

Thank you - I appreciate you, I am really glad I asked, take care

I also have the scaring in the throat due to radiation for throat cancer. It appears that the scaring is blocking my ability to breath normally and get the air I need. After consultation with Doctors at Emory they feel that removing the scaring with laser treatment would more likely increase scaring over time and make matters worse, possibly requiring breathing tube. Soooo I am still seeking alternatives.

Welcome, @richard1990.
You may be interested in joining this webinar about skin changes caused by radiation cancer treatments hosted by Mayo's Cancer Education Center. You don't have to be a Mayo patient to attend. Read more and register here:
- Radiation Related Skin Changes https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/radiation-related-skin-changes/

Have you considered a second opinion? What are the alternatives? How do you help your limited breathing now?

Following radiation for throat cancer, I was eating pretty well for a few months after treatment ended (Nov '21). Months later, (Jun'22?) I have increased scar tissue making swallowing and eating difficult. Had my esophagus stretched (Sept'22) only to learn my throat was more constricted than it was in Jan'22 when feeding tube removed. Gastroenterologist could not use his normal scope to begin stretching procedure and did not seem optimistic that future stretching will help. Can scar tissue be removed from inside my neck?

It's really scary to realize that what was done to help is now going to produce ongoing negative results. My radiation treatments ended mid-July of 21. Like you, I was eating well. Had surgeries (in May and June of 22) and my throat was stretched during one of those surgeries because of a stricture. I thought I could feel it closing around the middle of August this year--a definite change--but they tell me no--it's not a stricture, but ongoing long-term effects of radiation. I start swallow therapy tomorrow.

I had swallow therapy after intensive radiation to my throat, and also speech therapy, after the feeding tube was removed. They helped, but with all of the scar tissue in my throat these issues are ongoing for me as well.

I have not had the scar tissue removal sugery. However I do have swallow and restricted breathing (short of breath) problems. I went to Emory in Atlanta to again have swallow study and the scope procedure to check the scar tissue which is present. I have been told by the the throat Doctor and my Heart Doctor that the scar tissue was a factor in my breathing problem. Both are of the opinion that surgery to remove the tissue could make the situation worse in the long run. The reason being that surgery could produce worse scaring as a result of the surgery. I had throat cancer in 1990 and have speaking problems worse now that before, still have swallow and breathing problems, I just live it day to day. I would be interested in others that have had the scar removal surgery. I think because of my age (79) they just don't have the interest they would have in a younger person.

It makes sense that the issue would be worse if they went in again. The surgery I will have on Oct 27 is made considerably more difficult due to the 37 sessions of intensive radiation.

I am a 3+ year survivor of Stage IV ESCC. I am totally non-PO due to extensive esophageal strictures. I've undergone 10 dilation but my esophagus is now too friable to attempt further dilations as it would repture. I am totally dependent upon my G tube for meds, nutrition and hydration. I was treated with aggressive chemo-radiation to try to control my disease. Unfortunately, one of rarely discussed side effects of radiation therapy for esophageal, throat and head and neck cancers is reactive fibrosis. While radiotherapy kills the cancer, it also produces free radical reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammation which cause tissue fibroblasts near the cancer lesion to produce increased amounts of connective tissue. This results in increased tissue stiffness and rigidity as well as strictures. The throat and esophagus may be amenable to dilation but the relief may be temporary as fibrosis and strictures inevitably recur. For severe fibrosis and large strictures, surgery is generally not advisable or effective as the tissue is generally friable and there may be too little viable tissue for effective healing.

This is an unmet medical need for esophageal, throat and head and neck cancer patients. I wish that radiation oncologists, oncologic surgeons and gastroenterologist would explore the use of co-administration of various antifibrotic agents, approved or experimental, to determine whether they might reduce or prevent radiation induced fibrosis and stricture formation.