Non healing ulcer in throat after radiation tx

Sorry in advance for the long post.  I finished my treatment on November 5 of last year with 35 rounds of radiation and 6 rounds of Erbitux for Tonsil cancer- primary tumor was in tonsil and had spread to a few lymph nodes on both sides.  Everything during the treatment went good except the radiation doctor at MD Anderson noticed there was a hole in my throat where the primary tumor was about 5 weeks in which he called a fistula.  At first he was excited that the tumor was gone and said that was a good sign.  Finished my treatment and was slowly healing in November.  In December, I took a turn for the worse and was feeling bad.  The back of my throat was very sore and swollen, the swelling had gone all the way down to my checks, that the pain patch or pain medicine could not relieve the pain.  The day after Christmas my wife and I decided to go the ER at MD Anderson.  They did an Xray and a CAT which showed alot of activity but there was no new tumors.  The doctor felt the CT scan was indicative of an infection so he decided to put me on IV and gave me some antibiotics.  I felt much better and then about a week after the antibiotics were complete, the infection in throat started to hurt again and the cheek started swelling.  Ended up going back to the ER since it was on a Sunday and did not want to deal with the pain anymore.  They really did not do any CAT scans or X-rays, just asked what was going on and we told him and the doc just decided to give us another round of antibiotics which was great.  I got back on them, felt good enough and my energy levels were high enough to go to work a couple of days.  I even hit some golf balls and saw a movie with no issues of soreness.  I quit taking antibiotics on Sunday and then on Tuesday, starting feeling crap again.  We decided to go see the radiation doctor and he looked at it and said he thinks it is a severe ulcer next to the hole in my throat that won't heal.  He thinks since food gets stuck the in the fistula or hole, it sits there an breeds bacteria which creates infection.  So he gave another prescription of antibiotics, but this time for 2 weeks.  I felt much better today and swelling went down, so I don't really think it is from a new tumor since it reacted to the antibiotics although that thought is in the back of my head which I have been trying to fight off.  Just wanted to know if anyone else experienced this or any advice to give would be so helpful.   Getting  tired of not feeling good.  Thanks Todd

Comments

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    Wow, Todd....

    you're having to work harder than many trying to get healthy again.  I think like you, that all of this is due to an infection....not a return of cancer.....because the antibiotics work every time.  I'm just wondering if they have a plan if the fistula doesn't close up on it's own?  It would seem that a lifetime of antibiotics wouldn't be the answer.  Did they say if they've seen this before, and that with time the fistula will close?

    p

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    Todd, i'm sorry you have to

    Todd, i'm sorry you have to fight this now.  i also had a fistula but unfornately mine had to be closed sugerically as it would not close because it was radiated skin and it was just too thin.  i am praying that with the new antibiotic, you will get well and the fistula closes on its own.  we fight enough getting rid of cancer, its so cruel to make us fight the side effects of tx too.  hang in ther.

    God bless you,

    dj

  • Bulldogger1
    Bulldogger1 Member Posts: 13

    Wow, Todd....

    you're having to work harder than many trying to get healthy again.  I think like you, that all of this is due to an infection....not a return of cancer.....because the antibiotics work every time.  I'm just wondering if they have a plan if the fistula doesn't close up on it's own?  It would seem that a lifetime of antibiotics wouldn't be the answer.  Did they say if they've seen this before, and that with time the fistula will close?

    p

    Hi Phrannie - yes it has been

    Hi Phrannie - yes it has been hard - the dr says he has seen it before and that it should close on its own.  Though it hasn't started to close yet and seems to be growing.  I guess it all just takes time.  I am leaning in on God's strength just to get through the days along with my wife who has been such a rock when I have been weak.  Dr. gave me a another round of antibiotics to see how that works which should last another 12 days.  I am scheduled to get my PET scan on the 9th of February but concerned if the ulcer is still there if it will ilght up under the PET scan.   Praying hard that there are no new tumors or activity.   Thanks for responding!!!

  • Bulldogger1
    Bulldogger1 Member Posts: 13

    Todd, i'm sorry you have to

    Todd, i'm sorry you have to fight this now.  i also had a fistula but unfornately mine had to be closed sugerically as it would not close because it was radiated skin and it was just too thin.  i am praying that with the new antibiotic, you will get well and the fistula closes on its own.  we fight enough getting rid of cancer, its so cruel to make us fight the side effects of tx too.  hang in ther.

    God bless you,

    dj

    Hi DJ,
    How was it getting the

    Hi DJ,

    How was it getting the fistula closed with surgery?  Did the Fistula cause any Trismus for you?  I would love to get it closed with surgery, just may have to ask him if we can get it closed surgerically.  My trismus is pretty extreme due to the infection/ulcer and swelling.  At least, that is what i am thinking is causing it.  Thanks for the prayers!!  Definitely need them more than ever.  Thanks again DJ!!

    Todd

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    Todd you have been through so much.......

    It's about time you get a break, so lets pray and hope it closes on it's own and the rest of your healing goes well.

    Bill

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member

    Hi DJ,
    How was it getting the

    Hi DJ,

    How was it getting the fistula closed with surgery?  Did the Fistula cause any Trismus for you?  I would love to get it closed with surgery, just may have to ask him if we can get it closed surgerically.  My trismus is pretty extreme due to the infection/ulcer and swelling.  At least, that is what i am thinking is causing it.  Thanks for the prayers!!  Definitely need them more than ever.  Thanks again DJ!!

    Todd

    Todd, the doc waited 5 months

    Todd, the doc waited 5 months to let it close on its own before doing surgery.  during surgery, the doctor graphed  a huge piece of skin from my thigh and used that to cover the hole in my neck.  it covered the whole left side of my neck.  I was pretty out of it still from my laryngectomy, why i'm not sure and neither are the doctors, but i don't have much memory of any of my surgeries (about 4 for different reasons).  from what i remember it wasn't too bad.  i hope yours will close on its own but if not, its not a real big deal, at least as much as i remember.  forgive me Todd, I just read your post again and realized your fistula is in your mouth.  mine was my neck so I can't say if the surgery to fix yours would be hard or not.  I'm sorry.   I don't have trismus, thank God.  I don't think i could deal with any more...lol.  i am keeping you in my prayers.  please let me know if they decide on surgery to close your fistula.  I'm so sorry you're going through this.

    God bless you,

    dj

  • Betty d
    Betty d Member Posts: 1
    Hi there sorry uve been

    Hi there sorry uve been through so much my husband finished his radiotherapy 3 months ago and also has a hole where the cancer was on tonsil .hes been in tremendous pain also radiating to the ear and theres a really bad infection type smell there too .i was shocked when i seen it and i suppose after reading your post if maybe you could give us a little advice as cant get to see consultant till nxt week scan results and gps are a waste of space .thanks in advance x

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    edited May 2016 #9
    welcome

     

    Betty d,

     

    Welcome to the H&N forum.

     

    Bulldogger1 has not been on line since January 23, 2015, so Bulldogger most likely will not respond.

     

    Feel free to start a new thread and introduce yourself.  Chances are someone will help.

     

    Matt