Unfortunately, this damage isn't isolated to cancer cells alone, and normal cells can be damaged as well. Severe Radiation Fibrosis 2. There are different terms used to describe side effects that develop after treatment for head and neck cancer, or side effects that you still have after treatment is over. We have more information about how treatment for head and neck cancer may affect the way you eat and drink, and what might help. This is called peripheral neuropathy. Your radiotherapy team will advise you on how to try to maintain your weight. It is rare for a symptom to pop up eight to 10 years later. Your saliva will also become thicker and stickier, depending on how much radiation was delivered to your salivary glands. Ask your care team about the side effects you might get. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Search our clinical trials database for all cancer trials and studies recruiting in the UK, Questions about cancer? This is called lymphoedema. Sometimes it is easier to talk to someone who is not close to you or involved in your care. Long-term side effects from surgery depend on the type of cancer and where in the body you had surgery. Some of these changes may happen straight after surgery. As well as specialist doctors and surgeons, there are other specialists who can help. You may feel too exhausted to have sex during treatment and for a while afterwards. Often periods return to normal after treatment ends but sometimes they stop permanently. A nurse who gives information and support on managing side effects. Some treatments can temporarily affect periods. This could be a counsellor or members of a support group who have been through a similar experience. Nearly any treatment can cause late effects, and these late effects are specific to the treatment you received. Controlling the pain may improve your desire to have sex. Changes to your lips, teeth, tongue, mouth, nose or throat can affect your speech or the sounds you make for speech (voice). Followed 18 years later by 25 more in the same area for a third diagnosis for head and neck cancer. British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists. They are usually more severe if you have radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. Side effects depend on the type of cancer, its location, the radiation therapy dose, your general health, and other factors. 1. Early side effects occur during the course of therapy and during the immediate post therapy period (approximately 2-3 weeks after the completion of a course of RT). Other side effects depend on the part of the body that is being treated. • Avoid irritating the inside of your mouth: o Use an extra-soft toothbrush, and run warm water over your toothbrush to soften bristles before each use. Others may be left with a low sex drive (libido) or have sexual difficulties as a result of the physical effects of treatment. It may be caused by a late effect of treatment such as a stiff jaw (trismus), scar tightness or nerve damage. You might lose weight during radiotherapy to the head and neck. Sometimes, tiredness is linked to pain. A lymphoedema specialist can help manage fluid build-up in the tissues (lymphoedema). Lymphoedema can also affect tissues inside the neck, such as the throat or larynx (voicebox). There are different terms used to describe side effects that develop after treatment for head and neck cancer, or side effects that you still have after treatment is over. Radiation therapy works by damaging DNA in cells. Radiotherapy to the head and neck can also cause general side effects such as tiredness and sore skin in the treatment area. But it is important to get it checked out as soon as possible so that you can have treatment for it. In July of that year I was declared cancer-free and just celebrated my 4th anniversary as such. This can make it harder to stay in the correct position for your treatments. Registered office: 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7UQ. Sometimes an area that is numb can be injured without you noticing. A dental hygienist can teach you how to keep your mouth clean and prevent tooth decay. Changes in memory or concentration are usually mild. One of the frequently encountered complications of radiation therapy for head and neck cancer is abnormally low levels of thyroid hormone, referred to as hypothyroidism. Most people find that this gradually improves, but occasionally it can last for months or even longer. Some chemotherapy drugs can affect nerves and cause symptoms such as pins and needles, numbness or pain to the hands and feet. Radiotherapy to the head can cause hair loss in the treatment area. Tell your cancer doctor or specialist nurse about any side effects that have not gone away or if you have new symptoms. The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. Late side effects can happen months to years after you receive radiation therapy. Here are 5 side effects … For some people, these problems continue after treatment is over. Your cancer specialist will have told you if your hearing could be affected. They can arrange tests to find out the cause. You will need to go to appointments less often over time. This will cause an eruption of teeth in an abnormal alignment (teeth may be crooked). When your treatment has finished, it is natural to want to put the cancer behind you and move forward in your life. Sore skin. This will cause an eruption of teeth in an abnormal alignment (teeth may be crooked). Surgery may affect nearby nerves and cause a change in sensation or numbness in that area. Doctors and researchers are trying to make sure people get the best treatment but have as few side effects as possible. Dealing with these changes can take a lot of effort and determination. You might have difficulty swallowing during radiotherapy to your head or neck and for several weeks afterwards. The two most commonly used terms are: long-term effects late effects. While radiation therapy has improved significantly such that less damage occurs to healthy cells than in the past, some healthy tissues are inevitably exposed.2 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Early side effects happen shortly after you receive radiation therapy. Having radiotherapy for head and neck cancers can cause side effects such as a sore mouth and difficulty swallowing. Having radiotherapy for head and neck cancers can cause side effects such as a sore mouth and difficulty swallowing. The two most commonly used terms are: Long-term effects begin during, or shortly after, treatment and do not go away in the 6 months after treatment. Treatment for head and neck cancer can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or a. We have more information about managing tiredness. Radiation therapy to the head and neck can damage blood vessels, causing bone in the lower jaw to die. This can develop months or years after treatment. This often improves as the nerves heal. Pain can happen for different reasons. Each person experiences different side effects. The side effects of radiation therapy depend on the area of the body that receives radiation. You are at greater risk of developing long-term swelling if: The swelling happens because the lymphatic system, which normally drains fluid away, is not working properly. This condition may be aggravated after head and neck surgery where the neck may develop a woody texture and have limited movement. 2006. It is natural to feel anxious if you develop pain. Head and neck cancer includes cancer from the throat up. As well as your healthcare team, this may include a partner, family or friends. Sometimes they can go on for longer, or have more of an impact on your day-to-day life. Others may develop months afterwards. Murphy B, Deng J. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2015; 33, 29 Available from: https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/jco.2015.61.3836  (accessed September 2018). Oral complications are common in cancer patients, especially those with head and neck cancer. Late side effects of radiation therapy may be permanent. We know it’s a worrying time for people with cancer, we have information to help. Side effects can happen any time during, immediately after or a few days or weeks after radiation therapy. Head and neck radiotherapy side effects. Yay!! This usually goes away within a few weeks. These changes may be mild and recover as tissues heal. But you may be more likely to get infections or ulcers in your mouth. We have more information about lymphoedema, how to reduce your risk of developing it and how it is managed. Share experiences, ask questions and talk to people who understand. After treatment for a head and neck cancer, some people have difficulty concentrating and remembering things. Sometimes it may be a symptom of cancer coming back. These symptoms are subtle and may occur very late; therefore, it is important for patients who have received radiation therapy to be tested on a regular basis. Most side effects generally go away within a few weeks to 2 months of finishing treatment. Mouth Care Guidance and Support in Cancer and Palliative Care. It is helpful to summarize the long-term side effects by considering the normal tissues in the head and neck that were included in the treatment field. Malnutrition: Nearly all of the side effects of radiation therapy for head and neck cancer may contribute to malnutrition. They may go away eventually on their own. The side effects of RT for head and neck cancer are divided into early (acute) and long term (chronic) effects. Nutrition Support for Adults: Oral Nutrition Support, Enteral Tube Feeding and Parenteral Nutrition. You may need therapy after … I thank God I'm Alive and that said after 14 years out Stage 3 HNC CANCERS. UK Oral Management in Cancer Care Group. A dietitian can help you meet your nutritional needs. Sometimes long-term effects are permanent. Changes to your face, mouth and neck can change how you feel about kissing and having sex. Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, tiredness, depression, constipation, brittle nails, and pale color. This is also helpful to understand how newer techniques, such as IMRT and proton therapy can reduce the side effects of head and neck irradiation. If you had pain during treatment, it will usually get better as your tissues heal. Treatment for head and neck cancers can change your body. This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. Some head and neck cancer radiation long term side effects may still be easy to manage though. The following side effects 1. If we do not produce enough thyroid hormones, the cells and organs in our body slow down. Sometimes pain is caused by lymphoedema. If you experience one of these symptoms, contact your primary care physician or radiation oncologist. You may lose interest in sex, feel unattractive or worry that you will never be able to be sexually active. Speak to your specialist nurse about what is available in your local centre. Many people find that it gets easier to eat after treatment finishes. These effects often get better over time as you recover. Late side effects can happen months to years after you receive radiation therapy. Treatments for this category of cancers often includes either chemotherapy, radiation, or both. The amount of stiffness varies from person to person. So, for example, if you had radiation to a part of your body other than your head or neck, then you won't be at risk of cavities and tooth decay as a result of your radiation therapy. It has been approved by Senior Medical Editor, Dr Chris Alcock, Consultant Clinical Oncologist. There may also be other changes in your day-to-day life you need to adjust to. The complications may be side effects of the disease or treatment, or they may have other causes. Many side effects of radiation therapy to your head and neck can make it hard to eat and drink. Call freephone 9 to 5 Monday to Friday or email us, Swelling in your neck or face (lymphoedema). Side effects vary from person to person and depend on things such as the part of your body being treated and the type of radiotherapy you have. 2016. 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