Ear, nose and throat surgeon reveals how long it will take John Farnham to recover after losing part of his jaw in mouth cancer surgery – and whether his appearance will be affected
An ear, nose and throat surgeon has detailed how John Farnham is likely to fare following his cancer surgery.
In a series of tweets, Dr Eric Levi, a Paediatric & Adult Otolaryngologist Head & Neck Surgeon from Melbourne, revealed the singer faces a long and painful recovery.
‘Someone with a mouth tumour and a 12 hour procedure will (I am speculating) require surgery to remove part of the tongue, floor of mouth and mandible (or maxilla), reconstruction with a bone and soft tissue from leg or elsewhere, plus/minus a tracheostomy and feeding tube,’ he wrote.
An ear, nose and throat surgeon has detailed how John Farnham is likely to fare following his cancer surgery. John is pictured in Perth in January
‘Then comes the adjuvant treatment in the form of six weeks of radiation therapy. Daily visits to the radiation therapy centre five days a week for six weeks. Chemotherapy may also be added in some of those weeks,’ he went on.
‘You can see that this is a three month journey. Perhaps one month to diagnosis (if picked up and actioned early). Four to six weeks of initial surgery and recovery. Six weeks of radiation,’ the doctor added.
Dr Levi says John’s appearance and ability to use his face will be impacted.
In a series of tweets, Dr Eric Levi, a Paediatric & Adult Otolaryngologist Head & Neck Surgeon from Melbourne, revealed the singer faces a long and painful recovery
‘Can you imagine how different a person would look, smile, eat, drink or speak after all these treatments? You do not have to be a famous singer to know that this is a significant change,’ he wrote.
It comes after news that Farnham will likely have a tube inserted into his windpipe as he recovers in an intensive care unit.
He recently underwent extensive mouth cancer surgery amid fears he may never perform again.
Dr Levi says John’s appearance and ability to use his face will be impacted. ‘Can you imagine how different a person would look, smile, eat, drink or speak after all these treatments? You do not have to be a famous singer to know that this is a significant change,’ he wrote
John went under the knife for 11-and-a-half hours to remove a tumour from his mouth after his family revealed he had been diagnosed with the cancer on Tuesday.
The surgery started at 8am the same day and was successfully completed about 7.30pm that night, with the singer having to have part of his jaw removed.
He is currently stable in the ICU after the operation, carried out by an army of 26 medical staff.
John now faces an extensive period of recovery, including learning to eat and drink again.
It comes after news that Farnham will likely have a tube inserted into his windpipe as he recovers in an intensive care unit. He recently underwent extensive mouth cancer surgery amid fears he may never perform again. Pictured with his family
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