Hypopharangeal Cancer - Immunotherapy update.

Hi everyone.....an update on my husband's progress. He's 74

He was diagnosed  at the end of January '22 with late stage T4, N3, M0 - Hypopharangeal Cancer ( wrapped around his left carotid artery) His only symptom had been an annoying cough and then a huge bleed from his throat. After a week in ICU MRI  and biopsy ..He was given a dire prognosis of perhaps a few weeks to a few months to live with no surgery or treatment possible.

He was offered 2 x 5 day sessions of palliative radiotherapy in March -  with the hope of giving him a few more months into the summer. After the  radiotherapy he did have an increased, hard neck swelling on left side but this did subside. He also had copious amounts of mucous....spitting it out became the norm. Use of a nebulizer with saline capsules helps alleviate the mucous and clogged throat.

Luckily he has been able to eat and drink most things and finds drinking fizzy water helps. He also grinds his normal meds and takes them in milk to prevent choking on them. (He's not on anything for the cancer) It's surreal as he looks and feels ok.

The result of  CT scan after the radiotherapy was promising and he has been given the opportunity to have Immunotherapy. He is due to have his 3rd infusion of Pembrolizumab this week ( Every 6 weeks)

So far there have been no ill effects but we are vigilant for the signs that his own immune system could attack itself. His voice sounds a bit husky and there is now only a small swelling under his chin. Other than that - he looks and sounds ok.

At the moment we really do not know if the Immunotherapy is working and suppose that we will not know until he has another scan. 

But.......he is still here and we hope he will be with us for a little longer. He's actually booked to cook Xmas Lunch again this year.....he's not getting away with taking it easy!

We are ever hopeful and grateful.