1. < Head & Neck Cancer
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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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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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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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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)
Profile picture for kris ohlson @krisohlson

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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cskippy | @cskippy | Sep 7 12:46pm

Goodmorning, I have appointment in Portland OR. to see where i'm at with everything...was going to speech therapy but the hospital decide to close/ make cuts and that was on of the departments. 🙁 Looking around still doing exercise at home. In my past post my doctors are very confused why this is happening after 9 or so years. Our daughter lives in Dover Minnesota. Are you talking about Rochester's Mayo/ St. Mary's ? Have a happy day 🙂

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Mentor
William Olsen, Volunteer Mentor | @hrhwilliam | Sep 7 6:56am
In reply to @cskippy "@hrhwilliam Hello, you listed 3 hospitals could you give me your opinion and place each one..." + (show)
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@hrhwilliam Hello, you listed 3 hospitals could you give me your opinion and place each one #1 #2 #3
I know their all good hospitals, If you had to choose 🙂

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@cskippy My choice would be Mayo Clinic based upon personal experience. John’s Hopkins based upon studies I am familiar with.
My original point was to reach out from local help to get the care one needs. We must take care and control of our own healthcare needs because no one is going to do it for us, despite all the slick advertising to the contrary.
Naturally my opinion here. Locally if you want to choose a good hospital, visit the ER on a weekend evening. If it is chaotic, you can bet the entire hospital is as well.
University hospitals for the most part, great funding, interesting research, lots of young doctors and staff, non of which you as a patient with a complex condition needs. You don’t need a doctor with a dozen initials after the name on the business card. You need a place where the doctors don’t compete with each other, where they get together to discuss a case and work up a collaboration treatment plan focused on what is best for you.

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cskippy | @cskippy | Sep 6 10:44pm
In reply to @hrhwilliam "@krisohlson wish I could help you out but. You could apply to some larger cancer clinics..." + (show)
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@krisohlson wish I could help you out but. You could apply to some larger cancer clinics or Mayo Clinic. There is a good one down near LA but the name escapes me.
Locally or even in the Oregon and Washington state area, nothing comes to mind.
Many of the university hospitals are to me less impressive than most people believe because after all, they are either teaching or learning rather than focusing on the patient.
Places like Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, John’s Hopkins put the patient first and work as a team to the patient’s best possible health.
It seems you have not given up whilst your doctors already have. That’s not good for you or them. I wish you well and stay in the battle.

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@hrhwilliam Hello, you listed 3 hospitals could you give me your opinion and place each one #1 #2 #3
I know their all good hospitals, If you had to choose 🙂

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1 reply
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kris ohlson | @krisohlson | Sep 5 8:29pm
In reply to @hrhwilliam "@krisohlson wish I could help you out but. You could apply to some larger cancer clinics..." + (show)
Profile picture for William Olsen, Volunteer Mentor @hrhwilliam

@krisohlson wish I could help you out but. You could apply to some larger cancer clinics or Mayo Clinic. There is a good one down near LA but the name escapes me.
Locally or even in the Oregon and Washington state area, nothing comes to mind.
Many of the university hospitals are to me less impressive than most people believe because after all, they are either teaching or learning rather than focusing on the patient.
Places like Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, John’s Hopkins put the patient first and work as a team to the patient’s best possible health.
It seems you have not given up whilst your doctors already have. That’s not good for you or them. I wish you well and stay in the battle.

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@hrhwilliam Thank You

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kris ohlson | @krisohlson | Sep 5 8:15pm
In reply to @donfeld "Has anybody had throat cancer with radiation damaged can neck and head with them tightness and..." + (show)
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Has anybody had throat cancer with radiation damaged can neck and head with them tightness and pain in neck.? Especially neck spasms and nerve pain in head.

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@donfeld I have tightness in my neck. Massage therapy is what I have been using. I also have acupuncture performed. Acupuncture, I believe is an IRS med deduction.

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kris ohlson | @krisohlson | Sep 5 8:09pm
In reply to @yesmei123 "Hi Robert, I am so sorry to hear about your jaw surgery that made you go..." + (show)
Profile picture for yesmei123 @yesmei123

Hi Robert, I am so sorry to hear about your jaw surgery that made you go back to the feeding tube. I also was diagnosed with cancer of my right tonsil and had to undergo both radiation and chemo. The treatment has now caused me to suffer from dysphagia as well and has placed me in a feeding tube. I have been done with treatment for almost a year now and still am on the feeding tube, unable to eat any solids or anything other than watery liquids. I have been trying so hard to eat again but I don't know what else to do. If I may ask, how did you teach yourself how to swallow again the first time around?

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@yesmei123 I cannot swallow due to radiation. OHSU showed me the free floating bone that moves to close the airway when you swallow, was not moving during the swallowing study. Have you heard of this?

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kris ohlson | @krisohlson | Sep 5 7:57pm
In reply to @skoshi "What exactly is involved in stretching the esophagus?" + (show)
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What exactly is involved in stretching the esophagus?

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@skoshi same question

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