Throat cancer help

simpsonians
simpsonians Member Posts: 4
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hi,

I am 29 years old and was hoping to get some help. I had laryngeal cancer when I was 26. It was also in my esophagus. I received 31 rounds of radiation. My neck got pretty raw and towards the end I would wake up vomitting blood. Here I am now 2 1/2 years post treatment and my throat continues to bleed every day. I've been to several different ent's and all tell me that this is due to my throat being dry and that it is probably nothing to worry about. My question for you all is, do you think it is something to worry about? What if it never stops bleeding? Could this end up leading to some other problem? Do you have any suggestions on how to get the bleeding to stop, or ways to coat my throat with something that will soothe it and moisturize it?

Any help is appreciated. I imagine that there is more knowledge on this board than with my ent's. 

 

Thanks,

Joshua Cunningham

Comments

  • JC F
    JC F Member Posts: 74
    #2
    I find it odd...

    ...that all the ENTs would think this would be a normal long-term side-effect of the tx. A daily flow of blood no matter how large or small after 2 1/2 years can't be considered normal. There are numerous gels and pastes that can be rubbed into the oral cavity. Honey is soothing. Several sprays also, but all of these things are just temporary relief for the dryness. I would seek out a more in-depth diagnosis of the problem...

  • simpsonians
    simpsonians Member Posts: 4
    #3
    JC F said:

    I find it odd...

    ...that all the ENTs would think this would be a normal long-term side-effect of the tx. A daily flow of blood no matter how large or small after 2 1/2 years can't be considered normal. There are numerous gels and pastes that can be rubbed into the oral cavity. Honey is soothing. Several sprays also, but all of these things are just temporary relief for the dryness. I would seek out a more in-depth diagnosis of the problem...

    Thanks for the response. In

    Thanks for the response. In seeking out a more in depth diagnosis do you think I should see another ENT? Or maybe just express more of a concern with my current ENT?

  • Tonita
    Tonita Member Posts: 197 Member
    #4
    simpsonians said:

    Thanks for the response. In

    Thanks for the response. In seeking out a more in depth diagnosis do you think I should see another ENT? Or maybe just express more of a concern with my current ENT?

    Have you seen a head and neck

    Have you seen a head and neck cancer specialist?  If not, perhaps you should do so sooner than later.

  • simpsonians
    simpsonians Member Posts: 4
    #5
    Tonita said:

    Have you seen a head and neck

    Have you seen a head and neck cancer specialist?  If not, perhaps you should do so sooner than later.

    I haven't. I've only seen

    I haven't. I've only seen ENT's since my treament ended. I may do that though. Thanks for the advise.

  • the_wife
    the_wife Member Posts: 184
    #6
    Have you contacted your

    Have you contacted your medical team - meaning your treating doctor(s) at your cancer clinic? If not, you might want to call them to report your symptoms. Once you're their patient, you're always their patient. If you have any questions at any time you should not hesitate to call them. I'm sure they would want to know what's going on with you. Any time you are bleeding is cause for concern, especially in the area where you previously had cancer. Also, I hope that you have had regular follow ups? As a cancer survivor, personally I am never comfortable with "probably nothing to worry about."

    Good luck to you!

  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,034 Member
    #7
    Seek another opinion

    Joshua, 

    As JC F and Tonita mentioned, get another opinion as it is just not right that you wake up with a bleeding throat all this time. I had Base of Tongue cancer, long story short, I have severe dry mouth/throat. As mentioned, there are sprays that can help you before you go to sleep. Also, have you tried a vaporizor on the night stand? 

    One little thing I do is to apply Vick's vapor rub along the top of my lip and around my nostrils, just a tiny bit. I also gargle/ rinse with Biotene mouthwash before turning in. It is not a cure all, but at least I am not bleeding when I wake up. My tongue may feel like a piece of concrete at times, but I have a glass of water handy at night. I also have a small spray bottle of dry mouth spray to use.

    During the day, I sip coffee as I do get tired of water all the time. The creamer in the coffee seems to keep my mouth moist for a longer time than plain water. As suggested above, honey is good, maybe a cup of tea with honey in it before turning in will help. One thing for sure, you need to get this corrected. 

    My Best to You and Everyone Here 

  • simpsonians
    simpsonians Member Posts: 4
    #8
    MarineE5 said:

    Seek another opinion

    Joshua, 

    As JC F and Tonita mentioned, get another opinion as it is just not right that you wake up with a bleeding throat all this time. I had Base of Tongue cancer, long story short, I have severe dry mouth/throat. As mentioned, there are sprays that can help you before you go to sleep. Also, have you tried a vaporizor on the night stand? 

    One little thing I do is to apply Vick's vapor rub along the top of my lip and around my nostrils, just a tiny bit. I also gargle/ rinse with Biotene mouthwash before turning in. It is not a cure all, but at least I am not bleeding when I wake up. My tongue may feel like a piece of concrete at times, but I have a glass of water handy at night. I also have a small spray bottle of dry mouth spray to use.

    During the day, I sip coffee as I do get tired of water all the time. The creamer in the coffee seems to keep my mouth moist for a longer time than plain water. As suggested above, honey is good, maybe a cup of tea with honey in it before turning in will help. One thing for sure, you need to get this corrected. 

    My Best to You and Everyone Here 

    Thanks everyone for

    Thanks everyone for yourcomments. I guess I will try to seek out more help. I have kind of been putting it off as I try not to make a big deal of it since my wife can barely handle anything that relates to it anymore. Maybe I just won't involve her much more and just seek it out on my own. Your suggestions are helpful. I may try some of the suggestions for helping to keep it moist as well.

     

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #9
    Welcome to H&N group

    Welcome and sorry you are here. I would strongly recomend getting a second opinion, and I would sugest it be a major hospital. Most ENT stop at the throat, and some don't even go that far. You should see a Head and neck specialest. I also woud sugest you take a photo with your phone so they can really see what you are talking about. As far as can your throat be dry and it can cause very minor bleading, but it normally comes not from the throat but your trach, [Airway] Now just my guess as I am not a doctor, You should been seen and this is not normal to live with. The reason I say this is I had my larnyx remover and I breathe throught my neck and if that gets dry it can bleed some and that is normal for your airway if it has been seperated from your throat. You produce sliva or mucus and that is what lubs your throat so it should not be dry. If you have dry mouth or are not producing saliva, you need a doctor, and find out why. You had radiation for cancer that can kill the saliva glands, but should have been lower down the neck and I would not think it should effect your saliva. So you need to be seen by a doctor. Sorry but every scenario I run comes back the same, you need to see a doctor. I would also go to a different doctor than someone that tells you it is normal, but hasn't really looked at it.

    Bill

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