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results od radiation

lwhise
lwhise CSN Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
HELP
AFTER RADIATION FOR THROAT CANCER. THE RADIATION
COMPLETELY CLOSE UP HIS THROAT. HAVE NOT BEEN
ABLE TO FIND OUT TOO MUCH WHAT CAN BE DONE. HAVE
NO DOCTORS IN MY AREA THAT KNOW ANYONE. CLOSEST ONE IS DALLAS. THAT IS ABOUT 350 MI. FROM HERE.
HASANY ONE OUT THERE HAD THIS HAPEN TO THEM?
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Comments

  • tomalexander
    tomalexander CSN Member Posts: 16
    #2
    No, mine never closed completely, but had to have my esophagus stretched several times due to trouble swallowing.
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  • cbecker
    cbecker CSN Member Posts: 88
    #3
    Hello, yes my husband had 40 aggressive radiation treatments to his neck. His throat closed up on him several times. He had his throat dilated. After several dilation he was able to eat solids. Check with your doctor about a throat dilatation. They work most of the time. Check into it before his throat totally closes. Is he on a feeding tube? Go to a ENT if ears, nose and throat doctor. Where did you have your radiation done. Candy
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  • flyer59
    flyer59 CSN Member Posts: 2
    #4
    I had a laryngectomy 10 1/2 yrs. ago followed by radiation for 6 wks. I had my throat dialated 2 times and am just now able to eat a steak without it getting stuck. The other result I had from the radiation was that I just learned this year (after my first stroke) that my carodid arteries are collasping and causing the arteries in my brain to collaspe also. I have lost some of my eye sight in my right eye due to an eye stroke. I have already had two stents placed in 2 arteries in my brain or neck. I need another operation, but the Dr. says that its to dangerous. If you had radiation to the throat have an MRI at least once a yr. to check your arteries. Good Luck.
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  • Nickfuhs
    Nickfuhs CSN Member Posts: 1
    #5
    Any good throat surgeon should know how to deal with this. I had a laryngectomy 10 years ago and have had multiple throat dilations over the years - some in the office and some in the hospital. I never had a complete closure except briefly during radiation swelling and that cleared after a few weeks. Find the nearest larnygectomy support group as the folks there can give you recommendations on doctors who specialize in this area.
    If radiation is recent, He may have to wait two to four weeks after radiation for the swelling to subside but your radiation oncologist should be telling you this.
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  • jbeels
    jbeels CSN Member Posts: 1
    #6
    Nickfuhs said:

    Any good throat surgeon should know how to deal with this. I had a laryngectomy 10 years ago and have had multiple throat dilations over the years - some in the office and some in the hospital. I never had a complete closure except briefly during radiation swelling and that cleared after a few weeks. Find the nearest larnygectomy support group as the folks there can give you recommendations on doctors who specialize in this area.
    If radiation is recent, He may have to wait two to four weeks after radiation for the swelling to subside but your radiation oncologist should be telling you this.

    OK now I'm a little scared ... I'm maybe on my 15th radiation treatment .. I'm having trouble swallowing, however I've all but 8 of my bottom teeth removed prior to radiation. The membrane in the back of my throat and back where my tounge is feels like skin that has been burned or something and I have like a bitter taste left .. thats about the only taste left.
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