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Laser treatment for scar tissue post radiation of the throat
My husband had squamous cell cancer of the tonsils and had radiation and chemo. He is a year out from treatment it is now developing severe scar tissue tightness on the treated side of his neck and beginning to feel the effects in his throat. I am curious if certain lasers could help to break up and soften the tissue to help his range of motion and discomfort??
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@aloehr sorry just asking for my knowledge i had tonsils too they removed my tonsils it was not canerious still they romoved i mean my oncologist surgen if u have cancer in tonsils cant be removed just asking.. i was just diagnosed with leukoplakis severe and was having horesness of voice for 2 months lost both parrents so increased my tobbaco consumption four times as i m having depression history for last 20 years taking antidepressants alfready so i dont have much space now just got laser surgery and i was adviced not to speak for days yes you are right some high level laser surgery is available which doesnt break plaque but they break soft scars and other tissues of cancer plesse ask doctor as i cant comfirm without asking my oncologist please take voice rest plenty of water no spicy food or any irritans ..all strents to your way
Hello @aloehr. Welcome to the Head and Neck cancer group. Your husband’s situation is more common than not, particularly only a year out from treatment. It wouldn’t hurt to have an ENT or even simply his regular physician take a look to ensure things are as alright as they can be.
Campy as it may sound, exercising the neck up/ down and left/right to fullest extension a few times each day usually will loosen things up a bit. For me personally a sneeze would cause tearful pain for about ten years post treatment. A cough was painful for years as well and a yawn often brought on cramps in the neck. I am twenty two years out and still not 100% but no complaints.
If you read some of the discussions in this group you will find a wealth of information concerning post treatment recovery. Starting a discussion as you have will also solicit answers and ideas. So again welcome and let’s see whom else chimes in.
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1 Reaction@aloehr, I add my welcome. I'm also tagging fellow members like @jen75 @richard1990 @sepdvm who can share their experiences of dealing with scar tissue. In the meantime, you may be interested in these related discussions:
- Has anyone had surgery to remove scar tissue? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-had-surgery-to-remove-scar-tissue/
- Scar tissue in throat caused by radiation and chemo treatment
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/scar-tissue-in-throat-caused-by-radiation-and-chemo-treatment/
Laser surgery is often advertised as helpful for dermatological scar on the skin. I would ask questions of your husband's surgeon about whether laser surgery can help or not. It may not be effective. See this article from the the American Academy of Dermatology:
- 10 things to know before having laser treatment for your scar https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/scars-stretch-marks/laser-treatment-scar
Has laser surgery been recommended for your husband?