Vocal Cord Biopsy Next Week

ToBeGolden
ToBeGolden Member Posts: 695
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I was treated with radiation only for vocal cord cancer last summer. I am almost positive that it has returned. My voice has suddenly gone done hill. And there is a little new pain in the throat. My ENT says she cannot get a clear view of the area in an office visit.

I'm having a biopsy next week. For vocal cord biopsy, it is a full surgical procedure. They get to the vocal cords through the nose. I think the technology is outrageous, and I wish I could watch. Actually, I would rather be watching than be the patient any day. Well, so much for the humor.

This is a semi-rant, semi-whine. It will be my fifth biopsy over the last three years, and I am not at all apprehensive about the procedure itself. I won't know the results for about two weeks, when it comes back from histology. But I'm pretty certain that the cancer is back. I've been seeing this particular ENTdoc for many years, and I can read her body language.

At any rate, I get my mind set to fight the Beast for a second time. Last time, the cancer was limited to a vocal cord (and just a bit of surrounding tissue). I don't think the tumor will be large or widespread. But who knows.

I, of course, hope that I'm wrong and it is not cancer. But I've got to get myself ready. I don't need any specific advice right now; let's wait for a diagnosis and treatment plan before seeking specific advice. When I have a treatment plan, I come and talk about ways to minimize the discomfort. I just need a couple "Hang in there". I'll post at least once a week for the time being. Rick.

Comments

  • Puggle
    Puggle Member Posts: 88 Member
    #2
    Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers...
    Hi Rick,

    I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong!
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #3
    Option
    I had an appointment to clean my ears 3 1/2 years ago. For the weeks preceding my voice kept becoming worse until the day before my cleaning. So when I was in I asked for him to scope me and he was more than happy to. When he first looked he was not happy so he called in two other ent's and they saw the same. They were certain it was cancer. With in days I was off to see my main cancer ent. In his place they had four people scope me and said the same it is cancer on the pharynx. Two days later biopsy. Results no cancer. Turns out it was congronecrosis which is side effect from radiation that had dead skin that became infected.

    So there are options to the problem. It is not cancer till it is cancer thru a biopsy.

    My treatments were IV antibiotics 3 times per day for 9 weeks along with 40 HBO treatments. Do to radiation we do not heal fast so it took approx. 18 months and he can still see the damage but looks ok. My voice remains rough and skips alot but at least I can talk. Oh I had my cancer 15 plus years ago and took 12 years to show the infection. I had lost use of one cord 8-9 years ago.

    Good for you to vent and this is the place.

    No advice just an option

    John
  • ToBeGolden
    ToBeGolden Member Posts: 695
    #4
    Thank you for the support.
    Thank you for your support. I determined to beat it, whatever it is. At this point, it is either cancer or it's not. Either way, I have to face the facts. That's all I'm trying to do. Be ready for my future, whatever it might be.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #5
    Hi Rick
    Tell the ENT that you don’t want to be under when they do the biopsy and that you want to see everything on there monitors. I did this at the Mayo clinic in AZ, they did the hold biopsy with me awake and watching the screen, my wife was also in there. All they did was to numb everything and in they went. I was amazed at what the doctor did and how gentle she was, that is when she told me she was not gentle because it was hard to get to. But she made sure I was numb real good to not feel anything.

    Wishing you the best
    Hondo
  • ToBeGolden
    ToBeGolden Member Posts: 695
    #6
    Hondo said:

    Hi Rick
    Tell the ENT that you don’t want to be under when they do the biopsy and that you want to see everything on there monitors. I did this at the Mayo clinic in AZ, they did the hold biopsy with me awake and watching the screen, my wife was also in there. All they did was to numb everything and in they went. I was amazed at what the doctor did and how gentle she was, that is when she told me she was not gentle because it was hard to get to. But she made sure I was numb real good to not feel anything.

    Wishing you the best
    Hondo

    Well Hondo:
    Although I did say I would like to watch, I think I'll opt for being put under. My ENT is biopsy the vocal cord. I can barely stand getting the scope down near my vocal cords, in the ENT office.

    And she needs to do a little surgery. There is some growth between the true and false vocal cord, which she is going to cut. And she is going to build up a vocal cord, with some kind of bio-degradable jell. (I might not have all the details straight.)

    But the technology still amazes me. Doing what amounts to plastic surgery on a vocal cord by passing scopes and knives, and grabbers down the mouth and throat just seems a little scifi.
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #7
    Rick
    Sending prayers.
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #8
    sweetblood22 said:

    Rick
    Sending prayers.

    "New Surgery Creates a Vocal Platform"
    September SPOHNC, VOL. 21 NO. 1, page 5

    "Speaking UP to save a Voice:New surgery Creates a Vocal Platform"

    Rick, this article Chronicles the story of a man with similar circumstances as you who was treated with a new surgical procedure only done a dozen times last year in The United States. It's specific to the vocal cords and preservation of speech. The surgeon is in the process of teaching the technique to other doctors. His name is Edward J. Damrose, MD Director of the Stanford Voice and Swallowing Center. Wouldn't hurt to goggle them? This patient's cancer had remained after radiation treatment.
    " The most recent data shows in patients who fail radiation, up to 50 percent may be candidates for this surgery."

    The article was excerpted from a Stanford Hospital health note by Sara Wykes in March 2011.
  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #9
    My prayers are with
    My prayers are with you.

    Debbie
  • Joel4
    Joel4 Member Posts: 263 Member
    #10
    jim and i said:

    My prayers are with
    My prayers are with you.

    Debbie

    Hang in There...
    Waiting around for biopsy results is no walk in the park as very well know. You'll be in my prayers. Try and stay positive and know that no matter what it is you will get through it.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #11
    Thoughts
    Thoughts & Prayers......

    Wishing you the very best outcome this week....

    Best,
    John
  • Ronnie2751
    Ronnie2751 Member Posts: 16
    #12
    Skiffin16 said:

    Thoughts
    Thoughts & Prayers......

    Wishing you the very best outcome this week....

    Best,
    John

    FEAR OF BIOPSY
    Hi there all!
    I am scheduled for a biopsy on my vocal chords end october. Why? Because for several months i have been coughing up blood in the morning. They do not suspect cancer, but only want to rule it out, however, for some reason the procedure frightens me. I had t.c twenty years ago,did the chemo route and sailed through it. I also have had cll for three years now.
    Why am i posting you lot? Several reasons.
    One i am worried they will damage my crowns. Due to chemo, i have no teeth and getting new ones will cost me a fortune.
    Two. I have stopped coughing blood in the mornings.
    Three the thought of not being able to use my voice for ten days annoys me no end.
    And fourth, i am asking myself if i am really a candidate for this awful procedure.

    I hate to moan, but you folks seem to have all the answers, and if anybody can help me out, i would appreciate your help and advice.

    Warm regards
    Ronnie
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #13
    Ronnie2751 said:

    FEAR OF BIOPSY
    Hi there all!
    I am scheduled for a biopsy on my vocal chords end october. Why? Because for several months i have been coughing up blood in the morning. They do not suspect cancer, but only want to rule it out, however, for some reason the procedure frightens me. I had t.c twenty years ago,did the chemo route and sailed through it. I also have had cll for three years now.
    Why am i posting you lot? Several reasons.
    One i am worried they will damage my crowns. Due to chemo, i have no teeth and getting new ones will cost me a fortune.
    Two. I have stopped coughing blood in the mornings.
    Three the thought of not being able to use my voice for ten days annoys me no end.
    And fourth, i am asking myself if i am really a candidate for this awful procedure.

    I hate to moan, but you folks seem to have all the answers, and if anybody can help me out, i would appreciate your help and advice.

    Warm regards
    Ronnie

    Hi Ronnie
    Hope you do well and glad you are now part of the family here on CSN, welcome my friend

    Hondo
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #14
    Hi Rick
    Thinking about you and was wondering how the Biopsy went my friend.

    Wishing you well
    Hondo
  • Ronnie2751
    Ronnie2751 Member Posts: 16
    #15
    Hondo said:

    Hi Ronnie
    Hope you do well and glad you are now part of the family here on CSN, welcome my friend

    Hondo

    Update
    Hi there
    Just to let you know. Got the results of my chest ct today, and they found absolutely ziltch which is pretty amazing for a heavy smoker. The question therefore is why do i still cough up minimum of blood first thing in the morning. Looks like i will have to wait for the biopsy results in november to find out. Cant say i am looking forward to the procedure, but at least my lungs are okay and i will just have to be patient.

    A good week to all of you

    Ronnie
  • Ronnie2751
    Ronnie2751 Member Posts: 16
    #16
    Hondo said:

    Hi Ronnie
    Hope you do well and glad you are now part of the family here on CSN, welcome my friend

    Hondo

    Biopsy on thursday
    Well i am only a few days away fom the biopsy and as luck would have it there was an article in the paper today about a lady who died as a result of a similar procedure. I am not one to panic, but what really worries me is my smoking. They are doing a biopsy on my vocal chords which is pretty straight forward, however the question i ask is could there be problems with my breathing whilst going under or directly after the procedure? They will keep me in for 72 hours to make sure i am fine.
    Any advice will be most appreciated.
    Thanks
    Ronnie

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