Cancer

First-Ever Voice Box Transplant Lets Cancer Patient Speak Again

JUL 9 2024·Updated JUL 10 2024

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Image credit: Unsplash

The Facts

Surgeons at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona have successfully performed the world's first successful larynx transplant in a patient with cancer.
CBS News
Massachusetts-based Marty Kedian, 59, underwent the 21-hour rare transplant — which included the larynx, pharynx, upper trachea, upper esophagus, thyroid and parathyroid glands, blood vessels, and nerves — in February.
Forbes
The Mayo Clinic announced on Tuesday that Kedian, who suffers from a rare form of laryngeal cancer, has recovered about 60% of his voice, and his ability to swallow and breathe has also improved four months post the rare procedure.
Beckershospitalreview
While the first two larynx transplant recipients had lost their voices due to injuries, cancer is the biggest cause of voice box loss. The American Cancer Society estimates that over 12.6K people will be diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in 2024.
ap
Though patients can live without a larynx, immunosuppressant drugs required after a transplant could cause cancer to worsen or come back. Kedian, who was already on immunosuppressives due to a kidney transplant years ago, could receive a transplant without introducing additional risk.
Mayo Clinic News Network
Kedian's procedure was conducted by a team led by Dr. David Lott as a part of a larger clinical trial focused on laryngeal transplantation.
Mayo Clinic News Network

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

While Kedian's health history made him a good candidate for this transplant, overall it's risky, experimental, and may not be widely applicable. Immunosuppressant drugs increase the risk of cancer growth and relapse, while patients can survive and have decent quality of life without their larynx.

Forbes

Narrative B

Kedian's quality of life suffered greatly due to the loss of larynx, leaving him depressed and isolated. This historic transplant has given him a new lease on life, one which is well worth the risk of this complicated surgery. Hopefully, this innovative clinical trial will lead to many more happy outcomes.

Mayo Clinic News Network