Esophageal Cancer Warning Signs Takaki Ishibashi’s Health, Stage, and the Hope for His Voice Recovery

The 5-year survival rate is over 80%

In early April, Takaki Ishibashi (63) announced on his YouTube channel, “Takachan’s Channel,” that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and would be focusing on treatment for a while (the video was later deleted).

“His voice sounded a little hoarse,” “He seemed a bit weak” — fans who watched Ishibashi’s recent videos voiced such comments on social media. Hiroaki Ogi (53) of “Ogi and Hagi,” who met Ishibashi in February, shared on his radio show as a cancer survivor, “I thought something like that might be happening,” “His voice was hoarse.”

Dr. Yoshimasa Gotou, director of the Goryokai Clinic in Shirokane-Takanawa, also noticed changes in Ishibashi’s voice (the following quotes are from Dr. Gotou).

“It is well known that lymph node metastasis around the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which controls the vocal cords, can cause hoarseness. The change in Ishibashi’s voice could have been a sign of this.”

“However, not only pressure from advanced cancer, but also in the early stages, tumor location, inflammation, and surrounding edema can cause nerve compression, leading to hoarseness (a raspy voice). According to him, it seems to be in the early stages, so it is likely stage 0 or 1.”

“For stage 0 or 1 early esophageal cancer, the tumor is still confined to the mucous membrane or submucosa, so it rarely directly invades the nerve. With treatment, voice improvement is expected. If it’s stage 0, endoscopic resection is possible, and for stage 1, radiation or chemoradiation therapy can aim for a cure. The 5-year survival rate is 80-90%.”

The wall that stands in the way after treatment

“I’ll just make sure to do the treatment properly. Once it’s over, there are so many things I want to do.”

In this video, Ishibashi expressed his positive attitude, which Dr. Goto found highly significant.

“When facing cancer, the feeling of ‘I have a place to return to’ or ‘There are things I want to do’ provides a tremendous amount of energy. In fact, data shows that people with such positive feelings tend to continue their treatment more easily. Ishibashi’s positive stance is also inspiring for others facing the same illness.”

Esophageal cancer is diagnosed in over 20,000 people annually, with a higher occurrence among men aged 60 and older. Early detection can lead to a high chance of recovery.

However, even after treatment has concluded, returning to normal life isn’t always guaranteed. Especially with returning to work, there are both physical and mental challenges.

“Treatment may have caused a decrease in stamina, and if there are effects around the vocal cords, individuals who work with their voice or appear in front of people may feel anxious. For someone like Ishibashi, whose voice is a key part of their personality and career, this can be a major challenge.”

Whether hoarseness persists depends on the extent of damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the impact of treatment. However, in early-stage esophageal cancer, the invasion of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is often minimal, and voice changes may be temporary.

Radiation or surgery might cause temporary hoarseness, but with rehabilitation and time, recovery is often expected, and there’s no need to give up. Many patients regain their original voice through voice rehabilitation (speech therapy), and some even say, “I can sing again” or “I can speak more powerfully than before.”

After treatment, concentration may decline, and there may be psychological concerns such as “What if it recurs?” or “Will I be able to do things like before?”

“If you rush to return to your old self immediately, it can cause more strain on both your body and mind. The important thing is to gradually return at a comfortable pace. Understanding and support from those around you are crucial, and it’s essential to work flexibly with medical professionals to maintain long-term health.”

Many fans, especially those in their late 50s and 60s, likely feel that their youth was spent alongside Ishibashi. Now, he is facing illness. This is not just someone else’s story.

“For those in Ishibashi’s generation, esophageal cancer is not a rare disease. Those who regularly enjoy alcohol or tobacco, have experienced acid reflux, or prefer hot drinks should be especially cautious.”

Ishibashi has faced a tough environment, with past sexual harassment allegations brought up in a report by an independent investigation into issues at Fuji TV. Despite this, his brave cancer announcement and positive attitude have certainly had a significant impact on his generation.

And once his treatment is complete, fans believe he will explain the sexual harassment allegations in his own words.