Cancers of the Head & Neck
Between 85 to 90 percent of all head and neck cancers can be traced to the use of tobacco products or excessive consumption of alcohol. Both can cause changes in the squamous cells of the head and neck.
Cancers of the Head & Neck - Radiation Therapy Side Effects
As with any medical procedure, there can be side effects from treatment. The side effects from radiation therapy depend on the site that is being irradiated.
Skin reaction usually occurs within the treated area with concomitant loss of treated facial hair. The reaction may resemble a sunburn which typically reaches its maximum during the final week of treatment as well as the first week after treatment, after which it usually subsides fairly rapidly. There are a variety of topical measures used to alleviate this condition.
If any salivary tissue is in the path of the beam, there will usually be moderate to severe dryness of the mouth and altered taste. These problems usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after starting radiation therapy. The taste typically returns gradually over a period of several months after completion of the radiotherapy. Salivary function may or may not return over a period of six months to several years after radiation therapy.
The most severe side effect of head and neck radiation therapy for most patients is soreness inside the part of the mouth or throat which is being treated, combined with increased production of phlegm and/or mucous. The problem starts after about two weeks of treatment and increases in intensity until the treatment series is completed. It resolves over a period of 1 to 8 weeks following the radiation therapy.
Because of the loss of taste, dry mouth and soreness of the membranes which accompany head and neck radiotherapy, many patients will lose a significant amount of weight under treatment. Your physician and staff will work with you to try to minimize this effect through dietary advice and symptomatic medical management. In severe cases, more aggressive dietary support may be needed including measures such as placement of a small flexible feeding tube directly into the gastrointestinal tract, bypassing the irritated segment.
Dental care is extremely important in head and neck cancer patients such that they are referred to the dentist before radiation therapy is started for appropriate cleaning, dental restoration and occasionally, extraction of diseased teeth. Customized dental trays are also made for the purpose of placing a fluoride gel to be applied to the teeth to decrease the risk of dental decay.
The risk of severe injury to the jaw bone is less than 5% with appropriate attention to dental care. Rarely, catastrophic or fatal injuries may affect other normal tissues such as brain, sensory system, vision, hearing, spinal cord, blood vessels, or skin. Fortunately, these are very unusual complications.
For more information see: CyberKnife Centers of San Diego
