| | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 11 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 11 | Hi all,
I searched this forum before posting the following so I know there are a bunch of posts on this topic, but none seemed to address exactly my questions.
I went through 7 weeks RAD and once-a-week Cisplatin. Tx ended August 9, 2010. I have finally recovered some strength, blood counts are going up, taste buds have returned partially returned; lots of good trends. However, my voice has become hoarse/gravelly/weak/froggy (pick your fave adjective). The strange thing is that this effect only showed up in the last couple of weeks, ie. about 10 weeks after Tx ended.
So here are my Q's:
1) Anyone else out there develop a weak/hoarse voice that long after Tx?
2) Is it possible that this development is a sign of something more sinister than just a side-effect of Tx? (ie, could it be a recurrence affecting my larynx?)
Any thoughts/experience would be appreciated, with thanks.
Eli
02/21/10: Dx SCC tongue;
03/08/10: Part glossect;
05/08/10: Further part. glossect left-side PND; 2 tumors in lymph nodes;
06/27/10-08/09/10: RAD+Chemo (Cis);
01/12/11: Dx SCC on skin of neck;
01/26/11: 14 wks Carboplatin, Taxol and Erbitux;
12/6/11: 4 wks RAD;
01/23/12: Remission(!); on Erbitux 2xmonth
| | | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Hi Eli,
I don't want to scare you but voice change is one of the few symptoms of this disease and the only one I experienced both times. Yours is probably a result of the radiation but to be certain I would go get it checked out. If its nothing, maybe they can tell you what to do to alleviate the problem.
Take care,
Eileen
----------------------
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
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 383 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 383 | Please get it checked out. Much better safe than sorry. I didn't have much change in voice but it isn't as strong/loud as pre-treatment. I recall sitting in a meeting with some unfamiliar faces a few months back and someone in attendance said I was "Too softspoken" and to please speak up. I explained in front of the group that it was challenging for me to carry my voice but I was very happy to be present and able to speak to them at all! I then explained why.....
Hopefully all is normal and your voice is just carrying a "new normal." Speech therapy may be worth exploring as well.
Best Wishes,
Steve
SCC right side BOT/FOM; DX 1-25-06; Neck dissection/25% of tongue removed 2-17-06. Stage 2 Recurrence 7-06: IMRTX35 & 3X Cisplatin ended 10-18-06. Tumor found 03/18/13; Partial Glossectomy 03/28/13 left lateral tongue. Nov. 2014; headaches,lump on left side of throat. Radical Neck Dissection 12-17-14; Tumor into nerves/jugular; Surgery successful, IMRTX30 & 7X Erbotux. Scan 06-03-15; NED! 06-02-16; Mets to left Humerus bone and lesion on lungs-here We go again! Never, Ever Give Up!
**** PASSED AWAY 10/8/16 ****
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 11 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 11 | Thanks Eileen and Steve. I will get it checked. I'm currently waiting for results from my latest tongue biopsy (because of a new suspicious spot/pain) and should get the results next week. When I see the doc at that point I will discuss my hoarseness too. Sigh, hard to take the uncertainty...
Many thanks and best wishes,
Eli
02/21/10: Dx SCC tongue;
03/08/10: Part glossect;
05/08/10: Further part. glossect left-side PND; 2 tumors in lymph nodes;
06/27/10-08/09/10: RAD+Chemo (Cis);
01/12/11: Dx SCC on skin of neck;
01/26/11: 14 wks Carboplatin, Taxol and Erbitux;
12/6/11: 4 wks RAD;
01/23/12: Remission(!); on Erbitux 2xmonth
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 440 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 440 | Praying your results come back ok!
My voice has changed some too post treatment. I definately can't yell very well!LOL I can't sing soprano anymore either, oh well! I'm just thankful to be here.
Dx 3/27/09 @ 28 years old with High Grade MEC T4N2M0
Elizabeth, 33, mother of 3 girls (4,7, &8yrs old)
3 rds of chemo(Carbo/Taxol)
Rt Mandibulectomy, rt fibular flap,& rt ND with trach, picc,& g-tube.
30 rds of rads with weekly cisplatin
SCANS ALL CLEAR!
OCF Regional Coordinator of San Antonio Walk
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 11 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 11 | Just to follow up on this thread (way late, sorry about that) my hoarse voice turned out to be caused by acid reflux. There are many other potential causes of hoarseness, but, as noted above, best to get it checked asap.
02/21/10: Dx SCC tongue;
03/08/10: Part glossect;
05/08/10: Further part. glossect left-side PND; 2 tumors in lymph nodes;
06/27/10-08/09/10: RAD+Chemo (Cis);
01/12/11: Dx SCC on skin of neck;
01/26/11: 14 wks Carboplatin, Taxol and Erbitux;
12/6/11: 4 wks RAD;
01/23/12: Remission(!); on Erbitux 2xmonth
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