Beating Throat Cancer without Radiation or Chemotherapy

When it comes to his cancer diagnosis, George Barney didn’t pay much mind to the type or the details. To him, it was just the kind that had the power to end his life.  

In the fall of 2023, George noticed an odd feeling in his throat, almost like something was stuck that he just couldn’t get out. After about a month and a half of trying home remedies such as gargling salt water to try to relieve the feeling, he decided to make a trip to the doctor. A biopsy was performed, and he was given the diagnosis – cancer.

Shortly after this diagnosis, George had a procedure to remove his soft palate and uvula. After this procedure, a type of imaging test called a positron emission tomography (PET) scan was administered and it was discovered that a cancerous tumor on his left tonsil was missed.

This is when George met Mohamad Issa, MD, a head and neck surgeon with ProMedica, for the first time. “When they sent me to Dr. Issa, that’s when the magic started,” George shares.

As with every cancer case at ProMedica, Dr. Issa assembled a multidisciplinary team of experts from ProMedica Cancer Institute to determine the best treatment plan. The team determined that surgical removal of the affected areas would be the best treatment path for George.

When surgery day came, Dr. Issa performed a robotic-assisted surgery to remove George’s left tonsil and an affected lymph node. George was able to go home after two days in the hospital and didn’t need any opioids for pain during recovery.

“I was scared to death of what the tonsillectomy was going to feel like. I had been told that at my age, it could be very painful,” George shares. “But it really didn’t hurt. It was a little sore and uncomfortable, but I never needed any pain pills.”

After just seven days, tests showed that George was cancer-free. This means that George would not have to go through any chemotherapy or radiation to further treat the cancer. “I was most scared of the follow-up treatment of chemotherapy or radiation. It was such a relief to not have to go through any of that,” George shares.

George’s case is a testament to the importance of developing a treatment plan tailored to each patient. “Our goal is to effectively treat cancer without overtreating it,” Dr. Issa shares. “This results in the best outcome for each patient with the least amount of side effects.”

Today, George has no residing side effects and is living cancer free. He shares that he forgets he even had surgery unless someone asks about it. “Mr. Barney’s case highlights the need to see a doctor if you notice any changes in your body,” Dr. Issa notes. “If cancers are caught early, they are more easily treated and allow for minimal changes to one’s life.”

“Dr. Issa is the ultimate doctor. He really cares, and you can see his empathy in how he interacts with his patients,” George praises. “Dr. Issa saved my life.”