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Stage 4 larynx cancer - has anyone had radiotherapy? Really scared about the side effects

Tony17
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Hi all, my name is Anthony and 10 weeks ago i got diagnosed with larynx cancer that has spread to my lymph nodes in my neck. I am currently having chemo and feeling really low and scared. Really hard to swallow. I have been given the option of radiotherapy but I don’t want to have that because I am scared of the side effects. If anyone has had radiotherapy for larynx cancer could you please let me know how it was for you and was the side effects really bad. I am choosing to stick with chemo at the moment and then can decide later what to do. I would really appreciate it if anyone could give me some advice and just someone to talk to who is going through the same. Thanks in advance 

  • A very warm welcome to Cancer Chat Anthony although I'm sorry to hear you've been diagnosed with stage 4 larynx cancer.

    This must be a very challenging time but I'm glad you've joined us, as we have a lot of our members who will know how you're feeling and what you're going through at the moment Anthony, so you are not alone, and I'm sure you will hear from some of them soon.

    We have some information about radiotherapy, including some of the side effects that could occur, on our website but if it would help to talk things through with someone, our cancer nurses are available on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m, or if it's easier you can make a new post about your concerns in their part of the forum called ask the nurses. They're very insightful and will answer all of your questions to the best of their abilities.

    We're sending you all our support Anthony and wishing you all the best with your chemo.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

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    Hi Anthony,

    I have an identical diagnosis and have just finished simultaneous cisplatin chemotherapy (6 times) and radiotherapy treatment (33 sessions).

    I was told that neglecting to have radiation therapy would lead to a rapid decline in quality of life and eventually an unpleasant death, so was not really an option for me.

    With me, the side effects started well into treatment. My voice became hoarse, the skin reddened and became sore, pain in the larynx area became an issue and swallowing became increasingly difficult. I looked after my oral hygiene and had no problems with mouth sores or fungi. Having said that there is a lot your doctor can do - painkillers, skin cream, mouth washes. I could not eat solid food for two weeks after treatment finished. I got by with prescribed high-calorie drinks but a feeding tube was also an option.

    Four weeks on and I'm eating well and gradually putting on lost weight and regaining strength. Above all, I know that the tumor is not going to present problems in the foreseeable future. Still waiting for results from CT to see what precise progress has been made.

    The treatment is not nice but doable and worth it both in terms of your quality of life and survival prospects. I don't regret it for one moment.

    Regards

    Patrick

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