vocal chord cancer (T1) laser treatment, need advice

Have had laser surgery in sept for early vocal chord t1 cancer and was told it was successful but a month ago I had a check up which revealed there has been a reacurrance ( though only small and on the surface) so have had more laser surgery in the hope that will do the trick as the surgeon says its too small to warrant radiotherapy. Has anyone else had this kind of treatment and is this usual?( reacurrance and more lasering). I'm very concerned that this treatment may not be working or that cancer may keep coming back, resulting in radiotherapy and the possibility of eventually loosing my voice box. I know its early days and I'm probably worrying too much but would be very grateful if there is anyone out there who can comment on this.

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  • Hi Zarker

    I had severe displacia of the vocal chords around 5 years ago and was told that I needed laser treatment immediately as it "was very close to cancer". I had laser treatment a few times and had to have biopsies done around every 2 - 3 months but in my case it had gone too deep so they could only laser the surface and it kept coming back. If you are a smoker you should give it up immediately as my consultant told me to avoid smoke at all costs.

    I went on to have larygneal cancer but I was stage T2-3 when I was eventually diagnosed. I was successfully treated with radiotherapy 28 months ago and touch wood everything is fine and my voice is better than it's been for years.

    On a positive note they are closely monitoring you and as you are at a very early stage hopefully they will be able to get rid of it with laser treatment alone.

    I wish you well and hope that the next laser treatment will be the end of it.

    Marion x

  • Hi Marion ,

    Thanks very much for your reply it was most helpful. I hope you don't mind me asking but how long was it from when they found displacia to you being diagnosed with laryngeal cancer? As this is what I think may be happening to me. They said inicially It could be treated with laser alone and after my last laser treatment yesterday that the return was on the surface only and did not warrant rdiotherapy at the moment and he had done deeper biopsys which he says hes sure arn't cancerous. This has as you know been a very difficult time for me as i'm so scared of loosing my voice or having to have a laryngectomy which I've been told is unlikely. i'm reassured to know that after your treatment your voice is now good. Thank you again and I hope you continue to do well. Andy

    p,s gave up smoking 5 years ago and after this will never go back to it!

  • Hi Andy

    I'm back although feeling very jet lagged back at work after arriving late last night! Had a fantastic time in the Big Apple and now have the statue of Liberty as my wallpaper on my phone (sad)!

    How are you? Please let me know how you got on last week.

    Love Marion x

  • HI Marion,

    Glad you had a good time in NY, I love it there. Had my laser procedure a week ago, so still feeling a little tender and voice is v hoarse ( whats new!) and they did some more laser and biopsy's. I have a strong feeling its not good news. Since I had a the laser I have been sent for another neck and chest CT scan today, the resluts of which I won't get till tomorrow and I had an ultra sound on my neck which fortunately seems to indicate there are no lumps and my lymph nodes aren't swollen.

    I rang the macmillan nurse who works with my consultant yesterday and she seemed to indicate between the lines that they may have found something else and that I may need to have RT. This is all hearsay at the moment as my follow up appt isn't till tomorrow but I think this is what they will say as all the tests seems to have been done super quick.

    Its really disappointing as I was so hoping there wouldn't have been a reacurrance, still I guess I have to wait till tomorrow to be told for sure.

    Regards

    Andy

  • Hi Luckyus

    You've probably seen that I've been away for a few days so have only just seen your kind message, it was so nice of you to write. It's great to hear that our postings have helped in some way as I tend to forget that others are reading them as well!

    I'm so sorry to hear about your husband but I'm sure he will be fine as it's at a very early stage. If you're ever worried about anything please get in touch as I check this site regularly.

    Take care and let us know how your husband is getting on.

    Love Marion

  • Hi Andy

    Poor you, I know only too well what you are going through. Before I got my results I was send an appointment for a MRI head and neck scan and then a CT scan for my thorax so I knew before my appointment that it wouldn't be good news but it could all be routine and they might just be checking.

    Roll on tomorrow, at least you will know what you may have to deal with and if you do need RT at least you will be able to get rid of it once and for all. Try not to get too down - easier said than done I know.

    I'll be posting tomorrow to see how you get on - good luck!

    Love Marion x

  • Hi there,

    I'm sorry to hear of your husbands cancer but glad to hear our posts have helped. When your first told you don't quite know where to turn thats why I decided to post and see if there was anyone else going through the same thing. As you can see fortunately people did respond and its been a huge source of support to all of us as people on the outside don't always understand what we are going through, Marion and Chris have been especially helpful.

    It sounds like your husbands cancer is at a very early stage and can be successfully treated with laser and he will be monitored carefully through out. As you can see from our stories its not always an easy ride and there are lots of ups and downs along the way. Its always best to remember that this disease affects everyone differently and while its useful to know what might happen in one person may not be the case for the other so don't be too disheartened by our stories, hopefully soon there will be light at the end of the tunnel for all of us as there has been for Marion. In the meantime if you want any information or just a chat don't hesitate to ask.

    Regards

    Andy

  • Thanks Marion, will let you know how I get on.

    Andy

  • Hi Marion

    will keep you informed he is going for laser and biopsy on 10 november.

    I hope you had a good trip.

    i am a realist, but also my glass is always half full, so i live in hope i needed to know the good the bad and the ugly and i am gratefull you all told me honestly without even knowing it. i started reading the first day we were told it was the dreaded C word. i am sure so many more people read and do not post it feels like stepping on a private conversation but i needed you to know how helpfull you all were.

    Thank you

    Lucky us

  • Hi Andy

    Thank you for your kind reply, i have gone on this site every day since we found out. in perticular this post ( as it was so relevant) i am a get the knowledge person and my husband puts his head in the sand ony asking me the odd question.

    Although he is at the very early stage and i am so gratefull it was diagnosed early i do realise we are on a long long road for a few years now. and through reading this post i have gained so much knowledge about the treatments.

    Thanks again

    Lucky us

  • Really glad to hear we have been of some help. The last few days have been difficult and your posts have cheered me up, just knowing that someone else has benefitted from what we write here, its good to see something positive has come from it. Please feel free to read the posts and comment and keep us up to date on your husbands progress.

    All the best

    Andy

  • Hi Luckyus

    It's great that you are a realist, I am the other way round with the glass half empty! Your husband is very fortunate to have you there for him to face the facts but at the same time being positive. I am sure he will be fine as I was a T3 when I started my treatment and I am 3 years post -treatment, disease free (touch wood!) and my voice back to normal.

    I'm so glad you have been reading our posts and that it has helped you have a better understanding of laryngeal cancer. My daughter's friend aged just 30 has just been diagnosed with the same and is waiting to start her treatment next month. I am going to meet her next week as she wants to ask lots of questions and I hope that I will be able to reassure her.

    Please let us know how your husband gets on after 10 November and remember we are here for you.

    Take care

    Marion x

Reply
  • Hi Luckyus

    It's great that you are a realist, I am the other way round with the glass half empty! Your husband is very fortunate to have you there for him to face the facts but at the same time being positive. I am sure he will be fine as I was a T3 when I started my treatment and I am 3 years post -treatment, disease free (touch wood!) and my voice back to normal.

    I'm so glad you have been reading our posts and that it has helped you have a better understanding of laryngeal cancer. My daughter's friend aged just 30 has just been diagnosed with the same and is waiting to start her treatment next month. I am going to meet her next week as she wants to ask lots of questions and I hope that I will be able to reassure her.

    Please let us know how your husband gets on after 10 November and remember we are here for you.

    Take care

    Marion x

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