Anyone have (non-cancerous) ulcer of a radiated throat years later?

Posted by thomason @thomason, Aug 1 4:16am

Hello everyone,

Yesterday, I had a CT scan done because my neck hurts when I turn my head either way, and I have swelling under my chin. Thank God it is not cancer, but the scan did find an ulcer.

Here is the exact section from my CT findings:

"Unexpected/abnormal pattern compatible with full-thickness penetrating ulcer originating from the junction of the left lateral aspect of the posterior wall of the hypopharynx with the posterior wall of the superior aspect of the left piriform sinus of the hypopharynx which is associated with small locules of gas at the left side of the retropharyngeal space and mild edema at the retropharyngeal space. This is not demonstrated to be associated with abscess, hematoma, or foreign body. No evidence of penetration/extension into the prevertebral musculature, spine, spinal canal, or foramina at this region. This is not demonstrated to be associated with findings to suggest a cancer at this region. This is suspected to reflect benign breakdown of integrity of the hypopharynx at this region."

My ENT has an appointment set up for me. In the meantime, I’ve been instructed to stick to nutritional drinks and avoid coffee or fizzy water to give the ulcer a chance to heal.

Has anyone else experienced something like this?

Apparently, the ulcer is in the exact spot where my cancerous tumor was located back in 2018. The phrase at the end of the report—"reflect benign breakdown of integrity of the hypopharynx at this region"—has me the most concerned. Does this mean the tissue is turning to "mush"?

Also, I've had a raw spot under my tongue for about four years now. It developed right after a dental visit where they inserted the numbing needle to fill a bottom tooth. My ENT biopsied it two years ago and it was benign, but it has never healed. That makes me worry that this sore in my throat won't heal either.

Honestly, when these results first came back, my immediate thought was "Here we go again—feeding tubes, etc." I am just not as strong as the first round in 2018! Interestingly, the sore under my tongue has never hurt, but this throat ulcer definitely causes pain.

Do any of my friends on this site have any words of wisdom or advice? Thank you so much for any help you can share!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Head & Neck Cancer Support Group.

celia16 | @celia16 | Aug 1 3:12pm

Have you had your blood sugar levels checked lately?

thomason | @thomason | Aug 1 6:54pm

In reply to @celia16 "Have you had your blood sugar levels checked lately?" + (show)

@celia16 Hello. Thank you, for responding. Yes, all the complete bloodwork. My glucose is high, but not apparently diabetic.

celia16 | @celia16 | Aug 1 7:49pm

In reply to @thomason "@celia16 Hello. Thank you, for responding. Yes, all the complete bloodwork. My glucose is high, but..." + (show)

@thomason , I see. I ask since I’ve known people that had ulcers and slow healing due to high blood sugar. I hope you get some answers and help with your condition.

thomason | @thomason | Aug 2 1:41am

In reply to @celia16 "@thomason , I see. I ask since I’ve known people that had ulcers and slow healing..." + (show)

@celia16, "Thank you so much for taking the time to share that and for thinking of me! I really appreciate how caring and supportive everyone here is.

I actually just checked my recent lab results—my A1C came back at 6.2%, which is in the mild prediabetes range, so thankfully my blood sugar isn't at a level that would cause non-healing ulcers. My doctor isn't overly concerned about that number right now.

It looks like this throat sore is primarily an issue with fragile tissue from my 2018 radiation in that exact spot.

If anyone has had this painful condition, please let me know the outcome...Did it heal over time?
Thank you, again for being a caring human!

thomason | @thomason | 5 days ago

Is there anyone that has experienced ulceration of a radiated area several years later?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | 1 day ago

In reply to @thomason "Is there anyone that has experienced ulceration of a radiated area several years later?" + (show)

@thomason, I added your question to the Head & Neck Cancer support group as well as the ENT group and expanded the title of the discussion to reflect your question.

I’m sure you were relieved to find out that the ulcer is non-cancerous. I’m sure it is painful though. What is the recommended treatment? How are you doing?

thomason | @thomason | 1 day ago

Thank you, @colleenyoung, for responding.
It comes and goes in severity pain wise...plus, my neck feels very painful when turning left or right.
Either there are two different problems that occurred at the same time (doubtful) or they are related.
Time will tell (as usual!) and many bowls of baby food dinners with protein drinks. Goodbye, fizzy water : (
For some reason, I thought the radiated area from 2018 was heavily scarred over, not delicate.
We never quit learning!
Thank you, again for caring and I hope you are well.

pampou | @pampou | 1 day ago

In 2010 I had parotid (salivary gland) cancer with surgery and proton radiation, no chemo. Only half of my mouth was subjected to radiation. The mouth sores were intense. After 5 years I underwent hyperbaric chamber therapy with a major improvement. However the sores never completely went away. My tongue always had a sore spot which became a pre-cancerous growth (radiation induced) that was removed last November. Radiation also caused loss of all but two teeth so far on one side of my mouth. Does it ever get better? Not for me. I still suffer from other side effects as well and new ones pop up yearly. I do not have any physician who follows up. All my medical care has been instigated by me alone. I am constantly told to deal with this as radiation damage is cruel and never ending. Some people are lucky and things get better or at least not worse. I hope you are one who continues to improve.

thomason | @thomason | 22 hours ago

@pampou, thank you, for sharing your story. I thought proton was better...guess not. What you are experiencing is horrible and if I could make a wish to come true, it is for your sores to stop. I, too, have a non-healing raw spot right under my tongue. The dentist injected novacaine into that spot and it has been raw ever since. The odd thing is this one is not painful. It was biopsied a few years ago and showed non-malignant with yearly follow-ups suggested. The ENT never looks at it---almost like purposely. Sometimes it feels like he knows what the outcome will be and doesn't want to hurt me further...maybe that's crazy, but he is a great ENT. Please, just TELL me. As for this ulcer in my throat, no one told me the area is delicate. I was chewing ginger candy without a care! Please know you are in my thoughts. Thank you, again. P.S. I go for a scoping in ten days. Dreading it.