Richard T. – Esophageal Cancer Patient Story

Richard Trowbridge was shaving in August 2024 when he felt a soft, square-shaped spot on his skin.

Unsure of what it was, the Williamsport resident scheduled an appointment with his primary care physician, who decided to monitor the spot for two weeks. When no change occurred, Richard's PCP ordered more testing. An ultrasound and small biopsy confirmed the presence of squamous cell cancer.

With the diagnosis in hand, Richard was referred to UPMC Ear, Nose, and Throat, where Kathryn Morton, MD, otolaryngologist, recommended a PET/CT scan to gain a clearer picture of the situation.

The scan revealed a lump at the base of his tongue. To gather more information, Dr. Morton performed a small internal biopsy, which confirmed that Richard had human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated throat (oropharyngeal) cancer. From there, he was referred to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, where a comprehensive treatment plan was developed.

By October, Richard met with Abdalla Sholi, MD, a medical oncologist at UPMC Hillman in Williamsport. Dr. Sholi took the time to thoroughly explain the treatment plan, detailing how medical oncology and radiation oncology would work together to fight his cancer. Richard was scheduled for five rounds of chemotherapy.

One of the key figures in Richard's treatment was Whoon Kil, MD, radiation oncologist, whose expertise and direct approach provided clarity and reassurance.

"He explained everything in great detail, always to the point," recalls Richard. "I appreciated the week-to-week updates, which helped me stay informed and prepared."

Advanced Radiation Oncology Technique

As part of his treatment, Richard underwent 35 radiation sessions. To mitigate side effects, he used the tongue-out technique, which played a crucial role in preserving his sense of taste — an aspect often affected by radiation therapy targeting the tongue.

Throughout his journey, Richard was continuously impressed by the team at UPMC Hillman. "Everyone was honest, straightforward, and worked incredibly well together," he says. "I was blown away by their teamwork and the way they made me feel like a priority."

Richard added that the radiation technologists also made a significant impact.

"They were amazing — always ensuring the process was as smooth as possible," Richard shares.

Beyond medical care, Richard found crucial support in Laurie King, patient navigator. "She was a huge help, guiding me through all the paperwork for work and short-term disability. That was a major relief," he says.

Reflecting on his experience, Richard acknowledges the emotional and physical challenges of a cancer diagnosis. "When you hear the word' cancer,' it's like the rug is pulled out from under you. Suddenly, your whole life revolves around treatments."

Now, with treatments behind him, Richard is eager to return to normal life.

"It's life-changing to go through something like this," he says. "But I was lucky — I had a terrific care team supporting me every step of the way."