Epiglottis Damaged From Raditation Therapy

my dad has beat tonsil cancer over the past year with radiation and chemotherapy, cancer GONE, but his esophagus collapsed and his epiglottis has major scar tissue on it from the radiation therapy and is non-functioning therefore he still can not swallow. He had surgery on dec 11 to open the esophagus successfully but his Dr. and Vanderbilt and Wake Forest medical center has never seen a epiglottis damaged like this. Any time he attempts to swallow he aspirates? Any one out here have any information on where we can turn for help for any type of surgery for epiglottis repair?

I have been cancer free since fall of 2003.  I had cancer of the parafin sinus.  I have always had to deal with some swallowing issues.  As of last May it has gotten worse.  March 7, 2008 I had an emergency trache placed and a feeding tube.  I had pneumonia from aspirating food into my lungs and my breathing had become very labored.  Also, my epiglottis is severely scarred from radiation therapy in 2003.  The epiglottis is the cause for the problem with aspirating and difficulty breathing. I am in the process of being evaluated by ENT doctor in Denver, Co.  I have no news as to a solution at this time.

 

 

thank you for your reply. so sorry to hear you are still suffering with difficulty all these years later. my dad is also still on his feeding tube and is having his 3rd surgery on his esophogus on april 15 to dilate it further and possibly do something with his epiglottis. he is able to swallow a teaspoon of liquid with 7 to 8 swallow attempts at this time. we are still hopeful, and praying that this surgery gives some help to the situation. if you learn anything that we could possibly use, i would greatly appreciate any information you could provide us.I will do the same for you!!  thank you!!