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#201027 11-02-2021 06:15 PM
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Greetings,

I'm 4 years post-treatment for an HPV-16 tumour that settled in my left tonsil cavity. I asked my Oncologist what the potential effects of the radiation exposure I received might be for my left carotid artery. He indicated that I am at greater risk for heart attack & stroke due to the effects of radiation on my carotid artery. I discussed this with my Physician and asked if an ultrasound of my carotid arteries would be in order and she agreed.

The result: 50% - 70% occlusion in my left carotid artery, while the right side proved normal.

She is now consulting with a cardiologist to determine a course of action for this problem.

Has anyone else experienced such an issue? It made sense to me the tissues directly and in-directly influenced by this energy would be adversely affected.

I'm a bit puzzled as to why I was not alerted by a medical professional as to this potential issue, as it seems to me a proactive approach would be beneficial.

Regards,
Dan


Stage 3 HPV-16 Tonsilar Tumour with extension to 1 lymph node
Currently prepping for Treatment, which is starting Sept. 5th 2017
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I had a stent placed in my Right Carotid about 4 years after Radiation. I continue with ultrasounds every year to make sure we don't have any more damage. 15 years post treatment now! i was lucky my team at MDACC found the damage at one of my yearly check ups.

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Hi Mentn34,

Thanks for your input on this issue.

Tell me - what other negative consequences from radiation therapy have you experienced?

For me:

> Aged skin appearance on the affected side
> Plaque buildup in the affected carotid artery
> Weakness in the splenius capitis muscle of the posterior neck ( suffer terrible spasms after prolonged contraction of the muscle - usually during scuba diving )
> difficulty swallowing dense foods
> concern about the effects of radiation treatment on the thyroid gland

Regards,
Dan


Stage 3 HPV-16 Tonsilar Tumour with extension to 1 lymph node
Currently prepping for Treatment, which is starting Sept. 5th 2017
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Dan,

My thyroid issues occurred around year 5 as well I went to the doctor complaining of being tired easily and taking naps which was out of character he order the Thyroid test and bingo that was the issue it took a couple to months to get the medicine to the right level but he got me back to myself with one pill a day. I have had to increase the dosage twice since then. If they do put you on thyroid medicine it is highly recommended you take it first thing in the morning and not eat for apx 30 minutes. (Game Changer) I also have terrible spasms from the base of my skull down my neck and across my shoulder scared me to death first time it happened. I seem to notic3 them the most when the weather is changing a friend brought me some cream for a medically legal state thc it instantly relieves the spasm I have no idea why but it does I just dont always have it with me when it strikes.Radiation causes some discomfort and medical issues but without it we probably wouldnt be around to talk about it. Back to the carotid. my vascular surgeon would not operate until blockage was at 70% so it was a waiting game for a couple of years. I highly recommend you find a surgeon with experience with radiated tissue it took me several calls to find that. I received a stent is was one of the easiest procedures ive ever had I was awake the whole time and watch the procedure on the screen the Doctor was using.

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"OCF Canuck"
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Thank you kindly for sharing all that information, I greatly appreciate it.

Continued good health to you!

Regards,
Dan


Stage 3 HPV-16 Tonsilar Tumour with extension to 1 lymph node
Currently prepping for Treatment, which is starting Sept. 5th 2017
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Hi
I’m 10 years out of treatment. Left neck dissection and 7 weeks of radiation ☢️ ( the gift that keeps giving). Last year had a stroke due to radiation damage to the carotid artery. 85% blocked. Survived the stroke had surgery to fix the plaque build up . Went for a scan last week and now it’s blocked up 100% due to a blood clot!!!! Not dead yet🤣 Here’s my question. Can they go in and” stent” the blocked area now???? Surgeon said “just live with it” should have gone to Boston!!! And question 2 is was the long term problems with a blocked artery??? Thanks

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I’m hoping mentn34 will see this thread and come back to post since he has direct experience. I can offer some ideas but while I have about 70% occlusion, and it is causing some lightheadedness, I’ve had no treatments other than routine monitoring of it by ultrasound.

Your situation is different if they are sure this is a clot issue. Thickening and radiation damage to the carotid arteries is pretty common as a long-term complication from radiation treatment. Stenting has been routinely done, and I talked to a couple patients that have had vascular autogenous grafts of blood vessels from elsewhere being moved there successfully. But the idea of living with a clot seems counterintuitive, especially given your history, and I think it would be worth getting a second opinion from another vascular surgeon with experience in radiated patients soon. There are some quality people in the Boston area and I think it would be worth the trip once you identify the right person. If we don’t get a poster with more experience in the next couple days answering you, I will reach out to one in our science board for his ideas and report back. B


Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
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Thanks

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You are welcome, though I don’t think I was much help. I did have a conversation with a head and neck surgeon this morning about something else. I asked him about this. He said that while he does some vascular work as the nature of his profession, it’s not a specialty for him, further that things that involve the carotids specifically require someone that is specialized in this. That he doesn’t do stenting even though it is pretty straight forward, as his institution has vascular specialist staff.

He had a question though, and that was how did they determine it was a clot, and if it was one, how did they decide that it was stable and going to stay put, making it ok to live with it. Those seem like really good questions given a stroke in your history. I hope that you will pursue this sooner rather than later to get some answers and resolution to this. I find your doctors advice to be at the very least cavalier. Please come back and tell us what you have learned. I would like to learn from your experience myself, given my own situation, and in order to help others. B


Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
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Will do Brian. Thanks I’ll be in touch.

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