Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Larynx

Posted by pbnew @pbnew, May 19, 2023

My brother-in-law just diagnosed with this cancer. It was caught early, no spread. Radiation recommended. We would like to hear from anyone who has experience with this. How much radiation? What are the side effects of radiation in this area? Could he lose his voice? He is a musician who sings. Thank you for any responses.

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Hi pbnew , welcome to H&N group. Many eyes on this group feed so I would think someone will be along shortly who has gone the the same diagnosis. Has your brother-in-law seen an oncologist yet?

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Hello. I was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the oropharynx a year ago last March. I know the diagnosis is in a different area than the larnex, but I believe the treatment is similar. In my case, I received radiation and chemotherapy which I completed last September. The good news is that I am now in total remission of my cancer. I will say, however, that the radiation treatments (I received 33 treatments over 7 weeks. ) were rough. I would tell your brother-in-law to expect by the end of his treatments: dry mouth, much mucus in his throat, loss of taste, pain while swallowing, and loss of his voice. I would also expect weight loss do to being unable to swallow much, if any food. The symptoms were progressively worse toward the end of the 7 weeks and for a month afterwards. I won’t lie; it won’t be easy, but, at least in my case, I did return to mostly normal after about 6 months after my last treatment (my voice returned to normal about 6 weeks after my last treatment). Of course, the best news is that I’m still alive and hope to have a long life going forward. I hope this helps. He can get through it with encouragement from his family and friends, and in my case, a strong belief in God.

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@calenbd

Hello. I was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the oropharynx a year ago last March. I know the diagnosis is in a different area than the larnex, but I believe the treatment is similar. In my case, I received radiation and chemotherapy which I completed last September. The good news is that I am now in total remission of my cancer. I will say, however, that the radiation treatments (I received 33 treatments over 7 weeks. ) were rough. I would tell your brother-in-law to expect by the end of his treatments: dry mouth, much mucus in his throat, loss of taste, pain while swallowing, and loss of his voice. I would also expect weight loss do to being unable to swallow much, if any food. The symptoms were progressively worse toward the end of the 7 weeks and for a month afterwards. I won’t lie; it won’t be easy, but, at least in my case, I did return to mostly normal after about 6 months after my last treatment (my voice returned to normal about 6 weeks after my last treatment). Of course, the best news is that I’m still alive and hope to have a long life going forward. I hope this helps. He can get through it with encouragement from his family and friends, and in my case, a strong belief in God.

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Thank you very much for sharing your story. Congratulations on your total remission.

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@hrhwilliam

Hi pbnew , welcome to H&N group. Many eyes on this group feed so I would think someone will be along shortly who has gone the the same diagnosis. Has your brother-in-law seen an oncologist yet?

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Thank you.

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Hi, I was diagnosed with Squamous cell carcinoma of the Larynx in 2019. I had treatment both radiotherapy and Chemo. 35 treatments for a very aggressive form and intensive chemo. Now this is not the same for your brother-in-law. Mine was a stage four and the likelihood of success was very limited.

However, I went ahead with treatment with success or so they say at this point. Each case is very different, different people, different location, different stages of cancer. I have had ongoing problems since. These are swollen larynx, difficulty swallowing, lots of scar tissue, my voice has disappeared. severe coughing bouts when eating as the vocal chords do not close fully, aspirated food particles into the lungs same reason. Extreme bouts of heavy mucus and excess saliva in mouth (so different to many others) Along with lack of taste for around six months. Although I had my teeth looked at and some minor repairs done prior to treatment, I have now had damage to the point of no more bottom teeth and will have to have a plate specially made to fit. No one will remove the last bit of dead teeth as they fear breaking my jaw.

Tell your brother to be warned of all of the above. he may have little to no damage, everything depends on where and how bad the cancer is. I very much hope he has little trouble like many others in the same boat and from your description he should. Good luck to him.

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@ntodd

Hi, I was diagnosed with Squamous cell carcinoma of the Larynx in 2019. I had treatment both radiotherapy and Chemo. 35 treatments for a very aggressive form and intensive chemo. Now this is not the same for your brother-in-law. Mine was a stage four and the likelihood of success was very limited.

However, I went ahead with treatment with success or so they say at this point. Each case is very different, different people, different location, different stages of cancer. I have had ongoing problems since. These are swollen larynx, difficulty swallowing, lots of scar tissue, my voice has disappeared. severe coughing bouts when eating as the vocal chords do not close fully, aspirated food particles into the lungs same reason. Extreme bouts of heavy mucus and excess saliva in mouth (so different to many others) Along with lack of taste for around six months. Although I had my teeth looked at and some minor repairs done prior to treatment, I have now had damage to the point of no more bottom teeth and will have to have a plate specially made to fit. No one will remove the last bit of dead teeth as they fear breaking my jaw.

Tell your brother to be warned of all of the above. he may have little to no damage, everything depends on where and how bad the cancer is. I very much hope he has little trouble like many others in the same boat and from your description he should. Good luck to him.

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Thank you very much for sharing your story. You’ve been through a horrible time and still suffering. I’m very sorry.

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@ntodd

Hi, I was diagnosed with Squamous cell carcinoma of the Larynx in 2019. I had treatment both radiotherapy and Chemo. 35 treatments for a very aggressive form and intensive chemo. Now this is not the same for your brother-in-law. Mine was a stage four and the likelihood of success was very limited.

However, I went ahead with treatment with success or so they say at this point. Each case is very different, different people, different location, different stages of cancer. I have had ongoing problems since. These are swollen larynx, difficulty swallowing, lots of scar tissue, my voice has disappeared. severe coughing bouts when eating as the vocal chords do not close fully, aspirated food particles into the lungs same reason. Extreme bouts of heavy mucus and excess saliva in mouth (so different to many others) Along with lack of taste for around six months. Although I had my teeth looked at and some minor repairs done prior to treatment, I have now had damage to the point of no more bottom teeth and will have to have a plate specially made to fit. No one will remove the last bit of dead teeth as they fear breaking my jaw.

Tell your brother to be warned of all of the above. he may have little to no damage, everything depends on where and how bad the cancer is. I very much hope he has little trouble like many others in the same boat and from your description he should. Good luck to him.

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@ntodd I will continue to pray for you. I had a horrible time with my treatments, but I’ve met so many people who have had it so much worse. My heart aches for you all.

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@calenbd

Hello. I was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the oropharynx a year ago last March. I know the diagnosis is in a different area than the larnex, but I believe the treatment is similar. In my case, I received radiation and chemotherapy which I completed last September. The good news is that I am now in total remission of my cancer. I will say, however, that the radiation treatments (I received 33 treatments over 7 weeks. ) were rough. I would tell your brother-in-law to expect by the end of his treatments: dry mouth, much mucus in his throat, loss of taste, pain while swallowing, and loss of his voice. I would also expect weight loss do to being unable to swallow much, if any food. The symptoms were progressively worse toward the end of the 7 weeks and for a month afterwards. I won’t lie; it won’t be easy, but, at least in my case, I did return to mostly normal after about 6 months after my last treatment (my voice returned to normal about 6 weeks after my last treatment). Of course, the best news is that I’m still alive and hope to have a long life going forward. I hope this helps. He can get through it with encouragement from his family and friends, and in my case, a strong belief in God.

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I have it in my tonsil and starting 7 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy also. Thank you for the positive end result God Bless

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@winstonbuffy

I have it in my tonsil and starting 7 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy also. Thank you for the positive end result God Bless

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May God bless and be with you in your journey to recovery.

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My radiation treatments were a little further up in the throat then the larynx. Treatments Monday-Friday for seven weeks. First two weeks I didn't notice much difference other then what I had initially had difficulty swallowing. Third week my voice began to change and feeling tired my neck became red like a sun burn. Fourth week I requested pain pills and Xanax, swallowing became more difficult voice didn't improve much. I became less interested in food and losing weight. Sixth and seventh week pretty much as week 5 but wanting to sleep more. My throat was so painful I tried smoothies and everything soft but sugar in anything felt like gas on an open wound. They gave me liquid lidocaine that can be mixed with mylanta to sooth the throat, very helpful. I lost 30 pounds between December till now. My journey is not done I went for a checkup and Thursday I'm having a biopsy same spot again as my throat never really healed not because of what they did or didn't do with radiation it's just sometimes you have one that's resistant and comes back. I'm scared as shit because I'm told if it's cancer they want to remove my voice box. I'm not sure I have that kind of fight left in me any more. That's me tho. I don't mean to frighten you but no lie the emotional toll is heavy as well as the physical and spiritually. Please be a good listener let him know your there for him, let him get mad, upset, confused because he will. I hope for the best and remember everyone's healing is different.

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