[Dysphagia] brother with CA

[rmcclana at kvmo.net (Ron McClanahan)]

My 59 yr old brother has recently been diagnosed with CA of the vocal folds...he had 3 polys removed which were malignant...they have assured him that they got it all and he is doing radiation daily for several weeks... he won't complain but what is the general outlook as far as swallowing.  His wife tells me that he has to take small bites and he has a "lump" in his throat.  Imagine that is from the edema caused by the radiation.  I am careful not to scare them but is there a chance his respiratory may be compromised.  A friend had to be rushed to the hospital for a trach as she was going through this.  It's been so long since I've worked in this area.  Just thought I'd find out from experienced colleagues...thanks as usual...