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?

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Maureen, Alumna Mentor | @alpaca | Mar 10, 2019
In reply to @roberthenry "In 2009 I discovered a lump in my throat. I was diagnosed as having squamous cell..." + (show)
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In 2009 I discovered a lump in my throat. I was diagnosed as having squamous cell carcinoma of my left tonsil. I choose the University of Chicago for my treatment. I agreed to partake in a clinical trial that called for 50 radiation treatments (7500 rads per exposure) and chemo. I left the hospital in November of 2009. Cancer free. I remain cancer free today.
However, 50×7500 rads of exposure burned me up inside and outside. I discharged from the hospital looking like I just survived Hiroshima. This was a huge ordeal. My epiglottis stopped functioning as a side effect of the radiation. I was further diagnosed as suffering from dysphagia due radiation treatment. High potential for aspiration kept me on a feeding tube for almost 3 years.
Somehow I was able to teach myself to swallow again and had been enjoying a limited diet until January of last year.
Seems I developed ORN in my left lower jaw. Needless to say the jaw finally fractured.
In April of 2018 I underwent a surgery to remove a dead and diseased portion of my lower left jaw. It was then replaced with a section of my left fibula. This was a huge operation that took about 10 hours. This miracle was accomplished at Loyola Hospital.
The area around my mouth is now numb because nerves were severed during the surgery. I am once again on a food tube and this time I believe it's permanent.
Food for thought concerning your treatment.

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This is an incredible story. I think radiotherapy is a lot more targeted these days.

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Maureen, Alumna Mentor | @alpaca | Mar 10, 2019
In reply to @jimchardy "It is March 10, 2019. My sore throat has returned with a vengeance. I am again..." + (show)
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It is March 10, 2019. My sore throat has returned with a vengeance. I am again using clotrimazole, hoping it will kill the thrush and stop the soreness. I am having extreme difficulty swallowing and problems with lethargy, some days sleeping all day. I am extremely miserable with this sore throat.

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Thrush is miserable when you have it in your throat. Here's hoping you get some relief soon.

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roberthenry | @roberthenry | Mar 11, 2019

@alpaca
More incredible than you realize.
In 1996 ,at age 44, I suffered a massive heart attack. The only reason I am still around is because I was already in Intensive Care when I went into cardiac arrest. Prior to this event , my overall health was excellant.
In 1999 I suffered a stroke resulting in partial paralysis to my left side. Over 90% of my muscle control returned after several months of therapy.
There is much more but these are the life threatening medical emergencies I've lived through.
Also have experienced 5 events which normally result in death. Electrocution, serious car accidents etc.

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skoshi | @skoshi | Mar 11, 2019
In reply to @jimchardy "It is March 10, 2019. My sore throat has returned with a vengeance. I am again..." + (show)
Profile picture for jimchardy @jimchardy

It is March 10, 2019. My sore throat has returned with a vengeance. I am again using clotrimazole, hoping it will kill the thrush and stop the soreness. I am having extreme difficulty swallowing and problems with lethargy, some days sleeping all day. I am extremely miserable with this sore throat.

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I was put on Dexamethasone/Nystatin solution..swish 3x daily, spit out. Seems to have helped..although I still get thrush occasionally

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maryemma | @maryemma | Feb 21, 2020

I am a year out of treatment for lymph node metastasis from tongue cancer. Have had esophageal stretching twice and am eating better but still have to be careful with certain foods. Especially bread and meat. Still have dry mouth and sensitive to anything acidic. Has anyone else experienced this? Even brushing my teeth is painful.

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Maureen, Alumna Mentor | @alpaca | Feb 21, 2020

@maryemma Did you have radiotherapy? I'm afraid these problems are common in head and neck cancer survivors. Bread is difficult because it is too starchy and forms a sticky ball in the mouth. Some people lose their sensitivity to acidic foods and their dry mouth as times goes on. Sour cream can mitigate the acidity in some acidic foods. Wishing you good progress.

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skoshi | @skoshi | Feb 24, 2020
In reply to @skoshi "I didn't have that problem, but have also heard of stretching the esophagus as a remedy..." + (show)
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I didn't have that problem, but have also heard of stretching the esophagus as a remedy for what you describe. Your ENT should be able to direct you. Good luck.

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What exactly is involved in stretching the esophagus?

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Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Feb 24, 2020

@skoshi and @maryemma

Here is a Mayo Clinic video with information about self-stretching (dilating) the esophagus,


@skoshi Have you had your esophagus stretched (dilated) previously?

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skoshi | @skoshi | Feb 24, 2020
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@skoshi and @maryemma Here is a Mayo Clinic video with information about self-stretching (dilating) the esophagus,..." + (show)
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@skoshi and @maryemma

Here is a Mayo Clinic video with information about self-stretching (dilating) the esophagus,


@skoshi Have you had your esophagus stretched (dilated) previously?

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No never

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skoshi | @skoshi | Feb 26, 2020
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@skoshi and @maryemma Here is a Mayo Clinic video with information about self-stretching (dilating) the esophagus,..." + (show)
Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

@skoshi and @maryemma

Here is a Mayo Clinic video with information about self-stretching (dilating) the esophagus,


@skoshi Have you had your esophagus stretched (dilated) previously?

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Just watched the video
Something I should consider, but I dread having to go there.
Thank you

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