Nisha Pandey

Health and Me

Jeana Keough’s Cancer Battle: Why The ‘RHOC’ Star Is Struggling To Recover After Tongue Cancer Treatment

<span>Jeana Keough</span>, former star of <em>The <span rel="noindex">Real Housewives of Orange County</span></em>, is struggling with her recovery from <span>tongue cancer</span> treatment. Her daughter <span>Kara Bosworth</span> recently revealed that her mother is still relying on a feeding tube for most of her nutrition, which leaves her “frustrated”.

Kara said that the 71-year-old had made little progress in eating by mouth despite completing radiation treatment. She also said that her mother is going through fatigue, coughing fits and difficulties with swallowing after her cancer treatment.

“Mom’s struggling. She’s still not getting nutrition orally except maybe a few bites and then she gets frustrated with the effort and the lack of taste,” Kara told Page Six. She also said the feeding tube remains her mother's “primary source of nutrition”.

<h2>Jeana Keough's Recovery After Tongue Cancer Treatment</h2>

Keough was diagnosed with <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/after-70-of-his-tongue-was-removed-for-cancer-lawyer-regains-speech-returns-to-court-article-156223809" data-type="tilCustomLink">squamous cell carcinoma</a> of the tongue after a painful sore persisted for nearly a year. 

She initially believed a tooth was rubbing against her tongue and visited her dentist several times to take care of it. She underwent a biopsy which eventually confirmed cancer.

After surgery to remove the cancer, doctors recommended a second operation to remove lymph nodes. During that procedure, they discovered that the cancer had spread, turning a one-time surgery into a more extensive invasive treatment.

Keough subsequently underwent surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy. These treatments can place considerable strain on the body. Additionally, treatment involving tongue and throat can make eating, drinking and speaking challenging.

Radiation can inflame the lining of the mouth and throat, causing pain and swallowing difficulties. Keough also experienced radiation burns on the outside of her neck. Her daughter previously described the pain as severe, even when applying medicated cream to the damaged skin.

In August, Kara said the family had been told that the weeks after radiation ended could be the most physically difficult because the effects of chemotherapy and radiation tend to compound.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/ai-tool-uses-facial-photos-to-estimate-biological-age-and-predict-cancer-patients-survival-risk-article-156376862" data-type="tilCustomLink">New AI Tool Uses Facial Photos To Predict Cancer Patients’ Survival Risk</a>

<h2>Feeding Difficulties And Fatigue</h2>

Keough's difficulty with eating has left her completely dependent on tube feeding to meet her nutritional needs. Her daughter said she becomes frustrated after a few bites because eating requires a lot of effort and food no longer tastes the same.

Kara also shared that her mother is sleeping a lot and experiencing coughing fits that cause her to vomit.

“I think she just wishes she didn’t do any treatment. [It’s been] very hard. She still is sleeping a lot and having a lot of coughing fits that cause her to vomit,” Kara told <em>Page Six</em>.

The family has also reported that Keough is undergoing speech and swallowing therapy. “She’s doing twice-weekly speech and swallow therapy, but we still have a long way to go,” Kara said.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/breast-cancer-awareness-month-advancing-a-risk-informed-and-equitable-approach-to-breast-cancer-screening-in-india-article-156379530" data-type="tilCustomLink">Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Advancing A Risk-Informed and Equitable Approach to Breast Cancer Screening in India</a>

<h2>What Does Recovery From Tongue Cancer Involve?</h2>

Why Can You Still Get COVID After Vaccination? Ex-CDC Vaccine Advisor Explains

In advanced <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/world-breast-cancer-day-2026-life-after-breast-cancer-the-fear-no-one-sees-article-156366572" data-type="tilCustomLink">head-and-neck cancer</a>, removing the tumour is only one part of successful treatment. When surgery involves structures that are essential for speaking and swallowing, doctors also have to think about what the patient’s life will look like after cancer treatment.

Reconstructive microsurgery can help restore the tissue lost during surgery, while structured rehabilitation helps patients work towards regaining important functions. The aim is mainly to treat the cancer while also helping the patient return to the life and work.

Recovery can be time-consuming after tongue cancer treatment. Depending on the extent of surgery and the treatment, patients may experience pain, changes in taste, difficulty swallowing, speech problems and fatigue.

Inflammation due to radiation can continue even after the final session, while chemotherapy can add to the overall burden on the body.

Speech and swallowing therapy may help patients regain normal function, while feeding tubes can provide nutrition and hydration when eating and drinking are still challenging.

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Jeana Keough, former star of The Real Housewives of Orange County, is struggling with her recovery from tongue cancer treatment. Her daughter Kara Bosworth recently revealed that her mother is still relying on a feeding tube for most of her nutrition, which leaves her “frustrated”. Kara said that the 71-year-old had made little progress in eating by mouth despite completing radiation treatment. She also said that her mother is going through fatigue, coughing fits and difficulties with swallowing after her cancer treatment. “Mom’s struggling. She’s still not getting nutrition orally except maybe a few bites and then she gets frustrated with the effort and the lack of taste,” Kara told Page Six. She also said the feeding tube remains her mother's “primary source of nutrition”.Jeana Keough's Recovery After Tongue Cancer Treatment Keough was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue after a painful sore persisted for nearly a year. She initially believed a tooth was rubbing against her tongue and visited her dentist several times to take care of it. She underwent a biopsy which eventually confirmed cancer.After surgery to remove the cancer, doctors recommended a second operation to remove lymph nodes. During that procedure, they discovered that the cancer had spread, turning a one-time surgery into a more extensive invasive treatment.Keough subsequently underwent surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy. These treatments can place considerable strain on the body. Additionally, treatment involving tongue and throat can make eating, drinking and speaking challenging.Radiation can inflame the lining of the mouth and throat, causing pain and swallowing difficulties. Keough also experienced radiation burns on the outside of her neck. Her daughter previously described the pain as severe, even when applying medicated cream to the damaged skin. In August, Kara said the family had been told that the weeks after radiation ended could be the most physically difficult because the effects of chemotherapy and radiation tend to compound.Also read: New AI Tool Uses Facial Photos To Predict Cancer Patients’ Survival RiskFeeding Difficulties And Fatigue Keough's difficulty with eating has left her completely dependent on tube feeding to meet her nutritional needs. Her daughter said she becomes frustrated after a few bites because eating requires a lot of effort and food no longer tastes the same.Kara also shared that her mother is sleeping a lot and experiencing coughing fits that cause her to vomit.“I think she just wishes she didn’t do any treatment. [It’s been] very hard. She still is sleeping a lot and having a lot of coughing fits that cause her to vomit,” Kara told Page Six. The family has also reported that Keough is undergoing speech and swallowing therapy. “She’s doing twice-weekly speech and swallow therapy, but we still have a long way to go,” Kara said.Also read: Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Advancing A Risk-Informed and Equitable Approach to Breast Cancer Screening in India What Does Recovery From Tongue Cancer Involve?               In advanced head-and-neck cancer, removing the tumour is only one part of successful treatment. When surgery involves structures that are essential for speaking and swallowing, doctors also have to think about what the patient’s life will look like after cancer treatment.Reconstructive microsurgery can help restore the tissue lost during surgery, while structured rehabilitation helps patients work towards regaining important functions. The aim is mainly to treat the cancer while also helping the patient return to the life and work.Recovery can be time-consuming after tongue cancer treatment. Depending on the extent of surgery and the treatment, patients may experience pain, changes in taste, difficulty swallowing, speech problems and fatigue. Inflammation due to radiation can continue even after the final session, while chemotherapy can add to the overall burden on the body.Speech and swallowing therapy may help patients regain normal function, while feeding tubes can provide nutrition and hydration when eating and drinking are still challenging.

jeana keough’s cancer battle: why the ‘rhoc’ star is struggling to recover after tongue cancer treatment

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Jeana Keough’s Cancer Battle: Why The ‘RHOC’ Star Is Struggling To Recover After Tongue Cancer Treatment

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