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Marty Kedian, a 59-year-old Massachusetts resident, has regained his ability to speak following a groundbreaking larynx transplant procedure aimed at treating his cancer.

Surgeons at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona performed the intricate operation as part of a clinical trial designed to expand access to larynx transplants, a procedure historically rare and typically reserved for patients with severe injuries.

Kedian, diagnosed with laryngeal cartilage cancer over a decade ago, underwent numerous surgeries before opting for the transplant, driven by a desire to preserve his voice and reconnect with loved ones.

"I want people to know this can be done." Kedian told The Associated Press, reflecting on the emotional moment he first spoke to his elderly mother post-surgery, a milestone made possible by the transplant.

The procedure, which took place on February 29 and lasted 21 hours, involved removing Kedian's cancerous larynx and replacing it with a donated one, along with adjoining tissues and critical nerves, CBS News reported.

Despite the complexities, Kedian's recovery has shown promising results, with gradual improvement in speech and swallowing abilities.

Dr. David Lott, chair of head and neck surgery at Mayo Clinic, emphasized the transformative impact of the transplant on patients' lives, enabling them to regain not just their voice but also their quality of life after years of struggle.

While larynx transplants remain rare, with only a handful performed worldwide, medical experts view the Mayo Clinic trial as a pivotal step towards refining surgical techniques and expanding eligibility to include more cancer patients facing larynx removal.

The success of Kedian's transplant, reported in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, shows ongoing efforts to balance innovation with patient safety, particularly regarding immune suppression risks and long-term outcomes.

Looking ahead, Kedian hopes to inspire others facing similar challenges and is eager to return to a normal life, free from the constraints of medical devices and tubes.

"Every day it's getting better. I'm pushing myself to make it go faster because I want these tubes out of me, to go back to a normal life," he said.