Head and Neck Cancer & Radiation Therapy

 

Head Neck Cancer | Radiation Therapy

 

Head and Neck Cancer

 

Overview

A variety of types and locations of cancers affect the head and neck. These require difficult treatments that are further complicated by their proximity to the brain, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat.

 

All head and neck cancers significantly increase the incidence of trismus, with studies showing limited range-of-motion (ROM) in more than 50% of head and neck cancer patients. The cancers themselves, or trauma from the treatment, can cause trismus, sometimes years later. A common side effect of radiation is immediate or progressing muscle stiffness that often restricts opening the jaw, especially in cases near the jaw, ears, and upper neck.

 

Other side effects of cancer treatment include dry mouth, infection, dental cavities, and bone damage.

 

Treatment

 

Resources

 

Head Neck Cancer | Radiation Therapy

Radiation Treatment Trismus

 

Overview

Radiation therapy (or radiotherapy) is the medical use of ionizing radiation as part of cancer treatment to control malignant cells. It is used for curative, adjuvant, and palliative therapy, and is often combined with surgery, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy to fight the cancer.

 

Radiation therapy is generally painless, and side-effects generally increase with the dosage. Side-effects can occur during treatment, months or years after treatment, and after re-treatment.

 

During treatment the lining of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and bowel may be damaged by radiation. If the head and neck area is treated, temporary soreness and ulceration commonly occur in the mouth and throat. If severe, this can affect swallowing, and the patient may need painkillers and nutritional support (See liquid-diet for more information on liquid and soft diets) . The esophagus can also become sore if it is treated directly, or if, as commonly occurs, it receives a dose of collateral radiation during treatment of lung cancer.

 

Medium and long-term effects of radiotherapy include dryness of the tear and salivary glands, hair loss, and fibrosis. Fibrosis is the tightening of tissues over time from a diffuse scarring process. Fibrosis of the face, jaw and neck can lead to trismus or the limiting of mouth opening. The TheraBite device is commonlyused to stretch the jaw to prevent radiation induced trismus and to overcome trismus.

 

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Head Neck Cancer | Radiation Therapy