Before I begin the weeks article, I'd like to say how pleased I am to be writing for Suite 101. And I hope that my articles can help people cope with cancer, including family and friends. My thoughts for these articles are to cover many of the cancers. I also want to talk about some of the things I went through such as; finding a support group, test, feelings, the professionals who work with us and much more. Please remember that I do not give medical advice, I am not a doctor.
One last, and most important item. I want to dedicate this column with love and much thanks to: all my friends who drove me to my chemo treatments, called sent cards and flowers, and always kept me in their prayers. To the two special chaplains, the oncology social worker, two excellent doctors, all the nurses on 11B (especially C.Z.) and to the nurses at the Cancer Care Clinic. And to anyone I might have missed on the staff at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
Throat Cancer
As I was deciding on my topic I heard about George Harrisons disclosure of his battle with throat cancer since last summer---and it appears he has won the battle. From a news release from the Chicago Times. The singer found a lump on his neck last July. He had surgery in August to remove the tumor. Which was followed by two courses of radiation therapy. In January the singer went to the Mayo Clinic, for tests and was told that the cancer had not returned, the paper stated.
This got me thinking about the other celebrities that have had throat cancer, Jack Klugman and my personal favorite former Los Angeles Dodgers, center fielder, Brett Butler. Most cancer caught in time can turn out positive.
Throat cancer (Phrynx) is a malignant tumor located in the passage that connects the back of the nose with the esophagus, most often develops in the mucouse membranes that line the passage. The primary cause of throat (phrynx) cancer is related to smoking, (pipes, cigars, cigarettes and chewing tobacco) and drinking alcohol, with the highest rate occuring in those who both smoke and drink.
SYMPTOMS
* hoarness---that doesn't resolve in 1 to 2 weeks
* sore throat
* neck pain
* difficulty swallowing
* swelling in the neck
* weight loss
* cough
* coughing up blood
* abnormal high pitched breathing sounds
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