My Voice: Side effects of radiation treatment for head and …

Radiationtherapy(RT) is often used to treat head and neck cancer.It can be used as the only treatment, in combination with chemotherapy (chemoradiation therapy), or after surgery (adjuvant radiation therapy).The goal of radiation therapy is to kill cancercells. Because these cells divideand grow at a faster rate than normal cells they are more likely to be destroyed by radiation.In contrast although they may be damaged, healthycells generally recover. Unfortunately radiation treatment causes short and long term side effects.

RT can be administered in several ways:

1. Organ preservation: Radiation is aimed at the tumor site (with or without chemotherapy) is used in an attempt to cure the disease without surgically removing the larynx. However, this is not always an option because of the size and location of the tumor and the recommendation is to proceed directly to surgery.

2. "Palliative treatment": Radiation (with or without chemotherapy) is given in an attempt to prolong life when the tumor is too large and/or inoperable and cure is highly unlikely.

3. Radiation after surgery:Radiation is given after surgery to destroy any local residual cancer cells that may spread to other organs such as the lung, liver, or brain.

Types of radiation therapy

If RT is recommended the radiation oncologist sets up a treatment plan

Early side effects

The severity of these side effects is influenced by the amount and method by which the RT is given, the tumors location and spread, and the patients general health and habits (i.e. continued smoking, alcohol consumption).

Skin damage (radiation-induced dermatitis)

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My Voice: Side effects of radiation treatment for head and ...