Anyone dealing with throat lymphedema after throat-cancer treatment?

Hello @amadewell and welcome to Connect. That seems to be a more rare problem as I see few posts involving lymphedema of the throat, despite our neck dissections that remove many if not all lymph nodes. I have not suffered from this issue, but perhaps someone who has will chime in. From what I read massage and exercise can help with limb edema. Has your doctor suggested any physical or swallowing therapy that could help? I know many patients with throat issues benefit from working with a swallowing therapist. My father lived his final years with a permanent g-tube due to oral cancer. He missed the taste of food but kept his weight up with the liquid supplements and this was over 30 years ago so things have improved. Certainly repeated bouts of aspiration pneumonia would be dangerous, and sometimes it is the lesser of two evils in learning to survive this cancer battle. Perhaps I can tag @roblem for experience with lymphedema.

Hi @amadewell,

I was diagnosed with Tongue cancer on my left side of my mouth on March 1, 2024, and had a left partial glossectomy with a radical forearm free flap surgery on April 3, 2024. It also included a modified radical neck dissection taking out some lymph nodes. This one was not caused by HPV and was most likely from too much radiation from my first cancer which was on my left tonsil (2008) as it is literally adjacent to it. You will also have to be very aware of the higher chances of getting aspiration pneumonia and lymphedema after the surgery. My aspiration pneumonia came only 3 months after the surgery which was bad as I had to go to the ICU and have 7 liters of infections fluid drained from my chest cavity. I lost 15 lbs. of body weight from that, and I haven't been able to add it back on so far.

I definitely have some Neck Fibrosis, Lymphedema, Swallowing, Speech, and weak shoulder issues (including range of motion) from it so far in which I have to get PT from two different specialists (swallowing/speech & lymphedema- get them now) for all of these problems. I also suggest you get the pneumonia shot.

In addition, I starting using a Hugterra device I purchased off Amazon for $63 for the last 3 weeks with some success. It does three things of massage, electrical simulation, and heat all at the same time for 15mins. Definitely helped my neck stiffness and pain which then helps swallowing etc. Some people on this site also use Tactile Medical Flexitouch Pump or Shiatsu Neck Massager.

Hope this helps and good luck on your journey.

Hi, I have experienced internal inflammation in my throat, making it difficult to swallow and eat. I wear a head and neck wrap that helps manage it. I also found acupuncture and other anti-inflammatory teas helpful in managing it. Best of luck! Eric