August 19, 2012

Congressman Putney with Vocal Cord Cancer

Media has reported that Congressman Lacey Putney, chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee in the House of Delegates, has early stage vocal cord cancer.

He is currently undergoing radiation therapy which has a high chance of cure with relatively minimal side effects along with voice preservation.

My suspicion is that he is suffering from squamous cell carcinoma which is the most common type of vocal cord cancer. Though radiation therapy is a common form of treatment for this type of early stage cancer, surgical excision without the need for radiation is also possible. No chemotherapy is necessary for early stage vocal cord cancer.

Below is a picture of an early stage right vocal cord squamous cell carcinoma.



Compare to normal:

Source:
Putney undergoing treatment for throat cancer. WSLS10 8/15/12
Fauquier blog
Fauquier ENT

Dr. Christopher Chang is a private practice otolaryngology, head & neck surgeon specializing in the treatment of problems related to the ear, nose, and throat. Located in Warrenton, VA about 45 minutes west of Washington DC, he also provides inhalant allergy testing/treatment, hearing tests, and dispenses hearing aids.


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