Thomas Lazorcak, Throat Cancer

Thomas Lazorcak, a Vietnam Veteran and a retired DC Firefighter, was spending his retirement doing the things he loved – spending time with his grandchildren and continuing to work as a music promotor. One day, he felt a lump on the side of his throat. He didn’t think much of it, but his daughter insisted he go get it checked out. He went to the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor at the VA just to be on the safe side. After getting scans, he received a call from the ENT doctor that same day. The doctor asked him to pull over his car so she could deliver the news. She let Thomas know he had throat cancer, and it had progressed to stage 3.

After receiving his diagnosis, Thomas began exploring what treatment options were available for him as he was apprehensive about radiation and the associated side effects. He had heard the stories of so many people who had side effects that affected their quality of life. As an active grandfather and retiree, he feared anything preventing him from doing the things he loved. Thomas believed that it could prevent him from being himself. He didn’t want that to be his story.

At this point, Thomas had never heard of proton therapy but was determined to successfully fight his throat cancer so he could get back to his life. The use of proton therapy to treat head and neck cancers such as throat cancer can offer several benefits compared to traditional radiation therapy. It typically allows for less collateral exposure to the throat, voice box, eyes, brainstem, spinal cord and mouth compared to photon therapy. This means a lower chance of needing a feeding tube during treatment, better functioning in the aftermath of treatment, less weight loss, less dry mouth, and less lack of taste, among other potential side effects. Learning this, Thomas began to ask for protons.

Initially, he was told protons weren’t an option. Thomas was completely aware of the severity of his diagnosis and the fact that his life was in jeopardy, but he wasn’t ready to give up. He knew proton therapy would not only help treat his cancer but would allow him to maintain the quality of life that he treasured deeply. He was met with “no’s” that many would’ve just adhered to, but he didn’t let that stop him. Despite the circumstances, he began advocating for himself and wrote a letter to the VA expressing the severity of his situation and that time was of the essence. He needed help immediately.

While Thomas continued to advocate for himself, he eventually learned of a clinical trial he was a good fit for. This clinical study, which was co-led by Jason Molitoris, MD, a radiation oncologist at the Maryland Proton Treatment Center (MPTC), was designed to compare the outcomes for patients with head and neck oropharyngeal carcinoma after chemoradiation therapy with photon therapy versus proton therapy. Thomas, like many other patients at MPTC, bravely participated in an ongoing clinical trial, which allowed advancements in cancer care to continue to advance which means improved outcomes for patients diagnosed in the future.

With his participation in a clinical trial, the VA covered his proton therapy treatment. Before Thomas began treatment at MPTC, he had an honest conversation with Dr. Molitoris. He wanted to know what his future looked like, if his cancer was treatable or curable. After hearing that it was curable, he found a new lease on life and the mental toll from the cancer diagnosis was lifted. It gave him the push needed to go through treatment with a positive mindset and renewed hope for the future.

Thomas was not only able to get the treatment that was the best fit for him, but he also paved the way for other veterans to now qualify for protons through the VA when appropriate through his persistence.

In December of 2019, he rang the bell. Thomas reflects on his time at MPTC and the kindness he experienced from the staff that helped him through his journey. He has continued to return to MPTC every 6 months for the last 5 years to follow up with Dr. Molitoris.

Now Thomas feels like he has time. Most importantly, time with friends and family. His experience gave him a new lease on life and taught him that our purpose on earth is to help each other. He’s appreciative of himself for insisting on protons and advocating for himself and opening doors for other Veterans. Ironically, the same person at the VA who told him about protons and the clinical trial opportunity ended up being diagnosed with the same cancer and was also treated at MPTC. Being able to see the impact of his advocacy helping other people has been rewarding and leaves him with a feeling of gratefulness. He always encourages other veterans to advocate for themselves.