Glossary of Terms
WORDS YOU MAY NOT HAVE HEARD BEFORE
Your journey is likely to start with words you may not have heard or are unsure of their meaning. Below are a few terms frequently used by health professionals and fellow laryngectomees.
Artificial Larynx (AL)
An Artificial Larynx works by electronically or pneumatically producing a tone that substitutes for the vocal chords. The Artificial Larynx produces a voice that would not otherwise be there. There are a large number of electronic Artificial Larynges but a more restricted range of pneumatic ones.
Biopsy
Taking a sample of tissue for examination to determine whether cancer cells are present.
Calcium
Calcium is not only essential for healthy bones but also aids muscle contraction, heart action, vitamin B-12 absorption and blood clotting. Hypoglycemia (low calcium) can affect the nervous system and cause spasms, muscle cramps, abdominal cramps etc.
Calcium deficiency can lead to poor mineralisation of bones, osteoporosis etc. Foods containing calcium include dairy products, broccoli, spinach, salmon, oysters, tofu etc.
The ideal daily intake of calcium is 1,000 to 1,300 milligrams. Over 2,500 milligrams per day can lead to hyperglycaemia and associated problems.
cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping-with-cancer/coping-physically/calcium
Cancer
A group of different and distinctive diseases. Cancer refers to cells which grow abnormally in an uncontrolled fashion. Any tissue in the body can be involved and there can be many different forms of cancer in each area of the body.
Candida
Variety of thrush that colonises voice prostheses causing them to leak. Controlled by soaking prosthesis in hydrogen peroxide or Milton, coating flange of fresh prosthesis with Nystatin gel, gargling with Nystatin drops, using slippery elm powder, Fungilin (on prescription) and eating acidophilus yogurt. Avoid consuming yeasty food and drinks.
altmedicine.about.com/od/popularhealthdiets/a/candidadiet.htm
Chemotherapy
Anticancer drugs can be given into a vein, muscle or orally. Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles i.e. a period of treatment followed by a period of recovery. Side effects can include loss of appetite, vomiting, hair loss and mouth sores. The side effects tend to go away after treatment stops. In younger people, chemotherapy can result in a loss of fertility.
Depression
Depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated. Emotional reactions including depression are experienced by most people who are diagnosed with cancer. Depression is readily treatable with medications, counseling, or a combination of both. See your family doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist for diagnosis, referral, and/or treatment.
www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/nimh/co_occurence_depression_cancer.htm
Dry Mouth
See Xerostomia.
www.medicinenet.com/dry_mouth/article.htm
Fistula
A fistula is an abnormal passageway in the body. For laryngectomees we are usually referring to the hole running from the stoma to the oesophagus.
Granulation
Is the part of the healing process where rough pink tissue, which contains new connective tissue and capillaries, form around the edge of a wound. Granulation is normal and desirable.
Grief
Psychiatrist Elizabeth Kubler-Ross describes a five stage grieving process, and becoming a laryngectomee represents one or more losses we have to work through. The five stages are: Shock and Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. When you reach acceptance you are ready to get on with your life.
Laryngectomee
A person with a permanent stoma resulting from a laryngectomy operation.
Laryngectomy
This is the surgery to remove all or part of the larynx or voice box with a stoma being created in the front of the neck. A partial laryngectomy preserves the voice as only part of the voice box is removed and the stoma is only temporary.
With a total laryngectomy the whole of the voice box is removed and the stoma is permanent.
Larynx
This is the voice box, located between the pharynx and trachea and is used in speech, breathing and swallowing.
Lymph Glands
Small, bean shaped organs in the lymphatic system which contain cells that can trap cancer cells and bacteria being transported in the lymph fluid.
www.cancerhelp.org.uk/about-cancer/what-is-cancer/body/the-lymphatic-system
Oncology
Is the field of medicine concerning cancer. Medical oncology is the treatment of cancer with chemotherapy. Surgical oncology covers biopsy, staging and the resection of tumours.
Radiation oncology is the treatment of cancers with radiotherapy.
Prosthesis
A prosthesis is any artificial replacement of a body part and can be temporary or permanent.
In laryngectomees we usually refer to a voice prosthesis, which is a one-way valve connecting the airway to the oesophagus which supplies air for producing a voice.
Radiotherapy
Use of high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells, stopping them from growing and dividing. Radiotherapy can be by machine or by implants of radioactive material in or near the tumour.
Side effects include tiredness, skin reactions, loss of appetite etc. Most laryngectomees receive radiotherapy around the neck area after surgery.
Reflux
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) { or Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) US } is where acid from the stomach is regurgitated back up the oesophagus, sometimes reaching the throat.
This causes coughing attacks from the burning sensation that is created, damage can occur to the lining of the oesophagus. There are many proprietary medicines to combat GORD, slippery elm powder can also be effective.
Stent
A stent is a tube that is used to keep a passageway in the body open, for example in keeping the fistula between the airway and oesophagus open when there is no prosthesis in place.
Stoma
Any opening into the body from outside that is created by a surgeon. In our case it is the entry for the direct airway to the lungs.
Sweet Spot
Refers to the one or two locations on the neck or cheek that most effectively transfers the speech signal of an electronic artificial larynx into the pharynx and mouth for speech.
TEP
Tracheosophageal puncture.
This is the fistula between the airway and the oesophagus, where the prosthesis sits.
Thyroid
Often removed in total laryngectomy, the thyroid is located around the trachea below the larynx. Hormones that regulate growth and metabolism are made and stored in the thyroid, controlling heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and the rate food is converted to energy.
The correct dosage of thyroid hormone replacement tablets must be taken each day after thyroidectomy.
Tracheostomy
This is the surgical operation that creates the stoma in your windpipe when the larynx is removed. They are also performed to create a temporary airway in an emergency.
Vapourisers
A vapouriser is useful in helping to keep your stoma and airway from drying out, particularly in winter.
Radiators and heaters can make for a dry environment, a bowl of water placed near the heater can maintain humidity.
Vitamin C
An essential nutrient found in fruits and vegetables that must be replenished daily. Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid helps produce collagen, a protein needed to develop and maintain healthy teeth, bones, gums, cartilage, vertebrate discs, joint linings, skin and blood vessels.
It also promotes healing of wounds, fights infection, dilates blood vessels, regulates cholesterol levels, aids iron absorption among numerous other things that keep you healthy.
Vitamin E
An antioxidant vitamin that binds oxygen free radicals which cause tissue damage. Vitamin E deficiency can cause anaemia.
Research is being conducted into the role of Vitamin E in preventing heart disease and cancer of the lung and prostate.
Xerostomia
From the Greek meaning ‘dry mouth’. Associated with hypothyroidism and radiation, xerostomia results from inadequate function of the salivary glands and can lead to increased tooth decay and thrush.
There are a number of proprietary products that combat xerostomia.