Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Larynx

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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