 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Hi,
I'm not certain how common this it but I do know blockage of the carotid arties is one of the possible side effects from radiation and neck dissections. I was 11 years out last year when my right carotid was found to be more then 90% blocked. Because of radiation and the mess made by the neck dossection, they will NOT do surgery on the carotid. The only solution was a stent which I might prefer anyhow. So far so good and it has not clogged again. I was also put on Plavix and a 325 aspirin. My cholestral is normal on medication and my HDL runs around 90-100.
So yes, this is another one of those things that can happen from the 'gift that keeps on giving'. Keep an eye on it and get it repaired if needed.
Take care,
Eileen
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Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
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