General anaesthetic 3 days after chemo

[Whoknew76]

Dh has been diagnosed with throat and neck cancer. He starts chemo and radiotherapy next week. He has one infusion of chemo (Cisplatin) the first week and a second on the 4th week. Radiotherapy every day. We were told that he would need a PEG Feeding tube fitted before his treatment began as by week 3 it will be very difficult to swallow . We have chased this up repeatedly but apparently there is a long delay. To cut a long story short I have managed to arrange for the PEG to be fitted privately next Friday, which will be 3 days after chemo. I was terrified of him struggling and his nurse was happy for him to go privately and is very upset that she couldn’t arrange it on time on the nhs. Anyway just wondering if anyone can reassure me that general anaesthetic won’t interfere with his treatment. I haven’t been able to get hold of oncologist today.

Hello, sorry to hear you and husband having a difficult time.
the team will need to make sure he has enough painkillers on board but most likely will be encouraged to eat and drink normally for as long as possible (assuming he’s had a speech and language assessment for swallow?)
Re the PEG - many centres don’t insert them as a preventative measure and only put them in aresponsive way where needed. Obviously don’t know the particulars of your husbands condition but thought that may reassure you that if swallow currently ok then may be able to continue without. Just to say though- your husbands team may have a reason for recommending one sooner rather than later if they feel he is at higher risk of swallow problems due to location of tumour or there are other factors.
yes he will be able to have the anaesthetic whilst on chemo. Having a PEG should not interfere with his chemo radiotherapy provided no complications with PEG insertion or anaesthetic (it is considered a minor op). The chemo dose will make him slightly more susceptible to infection but not as bad as some other types of chemo.
hopefully you can speak to his oncologist tomorrow to discuss.
hope all goes ok!