Helios Duisburg: Encouraging after laryngeal cancer - Thomas Petersjohann's story

04/11/2025 10:11

What begins as a simple hoarseness changes Thomas Petersjohann's life dramatically. For six months, the symptoms steadily increased. Eventually, he can barely swallow and drinks almost nothing. The frightening diagnosis is a T4a tumor in the larynx. Due to acute respiratory distress, a tracheotomy is necessary, which initially eases the situation. However, the cancer is so advanced that the larynx has to be removed.

Today, after this life-changing operation, Thomas Petersjohann radiates gratitude and joie de vivre. The 60-year-old wants to encourage others not to give up. "Cancer is a shitty disease. Either you face it and fight it or you fall into a hole," he says resolutely. For him, fighting is the only option.

Dr. Florian Sack, senior consultant in the ENT department at Helios St. Anna Clinic in Duisburg, emphasizes: "Hoarseness that lasts longer than three weeks should be examined by an ENT specialist." This important recommendation can help many people to seek medical help in good time.

Just two weeks after the laryngectomy, which was performed by senior consultant Dr. Florian Sack and his team, Mr. Thomas Petersjohann was finally able to swallow again: "It's great to be able to eat again." He has to learn to speak again with the help of a voice valve and under the guidance of speech therapists. Thanks to various methods and intensive practice, he was able to communicate again after just one month.

Today, Thomas Petersjohann enjoys his life. He can eat, drink and speak again. Only his sense of smell is somewhat impaired. His story should give courage: Even after a serious diagnosis and an operation like this, a good quality of life can be restored.

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