Connect
Voice loss years after radiation
Hello, I was treated for throat cancer in 2006 with chemotherapy and radiation! Have been doing well, but within the last two years, my voice seems to be going! Getting very hoarse and gravely sounding! Has anyone else experienced this and maybe had a successful treatment?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Head & Neck Cancer Support Group.
Connect
My thyroid cancer (discovered due to raspy voice that I thought was allergies) was very close to my voice box. Post thyroidectomy, my voice is octaves lower and I can no longer sing.
Since this is a New issue for you, I suggest you see an ENT.
Take care
I have a gravelly voice post radiation and received speech therapy. Since I sing in a choir, I have a therapist who works with singers. A technique used that helps ‘lift’ my voice out of my throat is called straw phonation. It helps for talking and singing.
I was treated in 2006 as well and have developed a gravelly voice in the past decade, but I've always suspected it was related to the dry mouth. I've had several nodes removed from my vocal cords during that time, but I couldn't say if it was associated with the treatment. I've come to accept the inconveniences without considering what treatments are out there.
Hi @14benj7,
I had 35 rounds (7 weeks) of Photon radiation for a total of 70Gy and 3 rounds of cisplatin chemo for tonsil cancer back in 2008 but no surgery. What you will find out is radiation treatments is a gift that keeps on giving. Most likely you now have one paralyzed vocal cord like me which causes the hoarse and weak voice. I would ask your cancer doctor to do endoscopy to confirm. There are potential treatments for it too in addition I would ask your doctor for a referral to a swallowing/speech therapist which may help and avoid the riskier procedures.
Best,
Rob
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI have been clearing my throat a lot, but can still talk pretty well. Lately I have been feeling around my throat and to the left hand side of my adams apple is sensitive to the touch but no real swallowing issues or no consistent “sore throat. Very concerned as I have already managed to survive 2 cancer bladder surgeries and about 10 years survivor from stage 4 lung cancer and am presently being treated for stage 4 prostate cancer so you can imagine my concern with my throat especially since I watched my 1st cousin die a horrible death at the hands of some idiots at Grandview Hospital in Dayton Ohio. So what do you think?