I am assuming I will have to have radiotherapy for my yet to be confirmed cancer of the vocal cord, so I am wondering if I will be able to eat normally? or if not, what would be the best foods to eat, and will there be any pain involved. Thanks
Hi viv. Welcome to our community but sorry that you’ve had to seek us out.
There is a list of side effects but not everybody gets them badly.
Radiotherapy makes you very tired and you will likely really notice this. Because the beam is aimed at your neck your skin will redden and you will get a sore throat.
Some people manage to swallow albeit painfully but some will need tube feeding. I don’t think this is as much of a problem where the beam is targeted at the larynx rather than the throat.
You might get a dry mouth and your voice will probably get hoarser
There can also be some localised swelling
Your support team should discuss your diet and the radiographers will be your first port of call for pain relief. I don’t think you’ll notice much for the first two weeks but do pay attention to analgesia. Pain is better controlled before it happens and there is a plethora of painkillers so there will be something to suit.
It goes without saying that you need nutritious high calorie food to enable you to heal properly so just stick to something soft.
If that all gets too much there are liquid food replacements Fortisips and Ensures which the oncologists prescribe.
I hope you get through treatment with as little discomfort as possible.
Forewarned is forearmed they say.
Keep in touch. There are lots of people here to help you through this, people who have had radiotherapy and recovered to lead normal lives You don’t have to suffer.
All the best.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Hi Viv0147, depending in what they confirm and if you do have radiotherapy, it may affect your swallowing to some degree but how much varies from person to person, and if it becomes a problem they might give you liquid food supplements like Ensure, Fortisips etc. Again the amount of pain or discomfort depends, two people, can have the same treatment yet get different reactions, there is normally pain involved to some degree but let's cross that bridge if it arises and we will be able to guide you through it. All the best.
Chris x
Its sometimes not easy but its worth it !
