Singer told he may never perform again due to throat cancer, prepares for first gig after treatment

Posted 11th August 2015

A Merseyside singer who was warned his voice may be permanently damaged after being diagnosed with throat cancer has performed his first gig after receiving treatment at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

Steve Khan, 54 from Greasby, in Wirral, was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2013, 18 months after he gave up his career as a successful NHS commissioning manager, to sing full time. Steve said: “I first knew something was wrong when I felt a lump in my throat, but I just put it down to the singing. I was singing everywhere from local pubs and clubs to festivals in London, Ireland and Germany, as well as rehearsing with gigs at local nursing homes, so to have a throat complaint didn’t seem strange at first.”

Steve then had a biopsy and after at first thinking the lump was a cyst, he was told that the prognosis was cancer. On Christmas Eve 2013, Steve had the lump from his throat removed, where two further cancerous lumps were discovered by surgeons. Steve continued: “I was devastated to learn that the cancerous lumps in my neck were secondary tumours and the cancer had originated somewhere else. After more consultations, it was discovered that the cancer had originated in my tonsils and I had a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy combined (chemoradiation) to treat the condition. I wasn’t able to sing at all during my treatment.”

Dr Caroline Brammer, consultant clinical oncologist at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and a specialist in head and neck cancers treated Steve. Dr Brammer said: “Steve’s cancer originated from a virus, unlike some other cancers which originate in the mouth and throat, which are associated with lifestyle factors. Tonsil cancer is rare but can be difficult to diagnose due to its symptoms, which can often be attributed so many other common ailments.

“My thoughts are with Steve who has made a brave recovery from his condition and I am thrilled that he is now able to go back to the profession that he loves so much.”

Steve is now in remission and performing his first gig after treatment on Saturday August 8th: “I had some sessions with a voice coach and a speech and language therapist at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and reintroduced myself to singing really slowly. My voice has gone down an octave and there are certain songs I can’t sing, but it’s a small price to pay to be cancer free and be able to sing again.”

During Steve’s treatment, he took part in a clinical trial, investigating the side effects of drugs used to treat this type of cancer. The trial is still recruiting at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.