But for some people, they last longer or may be permanent. 2006. Advances in Supportive Care for Late Effects of Head and Neck Cancer. Followed 18 years later by 25 more in the same area for a third diagnosis for head and neck cancer. A dental hygienist can teach you how to keep your mouth clean and prevent tooth decay. It can also be because of: Radiotherapy for head and neck cancers can sometimes cause the thyroid gland to become underactive (hypothyroid). They are usually more severe if you have radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. Learn more about possible side effects. These changes may be mild and recover as tissues heal. Treatments for this category of cancers often includes either chemotherapy, radiation, or both. They do not appear during treatment, but can happen months or even years later. 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. Radiation therapy treats many types of cancer effectively. Symptoms may slowly get better over 1 or 2 years after treatment ends, or even longer. If possible, take someone with you to your hospital appointments. Some treatments can temporarily affect periods. Re: Your experience with side effects from head & neck cancer treatment (radiation / mucositis) 30 rads .. okay so that's 6 weeks. A nurse who gives information and support on managing side effects. Malnutrition: Nearly all of the side effects of radiation therapy for head and neck cancer may contribute to malnutrition. These may include the following: A dentist who designs prostheses (obturators), implants and dentures to help with eating, speech and appearance. Some chemotherapy drugs can affect nerves and cause symptoms such as pins and needles, numbness or pain to the hands and feet. Long-term side effects from surgery depend on the type of cancer and where in the body you had surgery. Changes to your lips, teeth, tongue, mouth, nose or throat can affect your speech or the sounds you make for speech (voice). Talk with your doctor about any concerns you have about a specific late effect.Problems from surgery. 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 Side effects can be mild or more severe, depending on the size of the area being treated and the length of your treatment. Our Online Community is a good place to do this. ORN affects around 5–7% of people who have radiation therapy to the head and neck. Changes to your face, mouth and neck can change how you feel about kissing and having sex. Each person experiences different side effects. Available from: http://www.ukomic.co.uk/documents/UK_OM_Guidelines.pdf (accessed September 2018). Who can help you manage the late effects of head and neck cancer treatment? The doctor may monitor thyroid and pituitary gland function, especially if the head or neck was treated with radiation. Sometimes an area that is numb can be injured without you noticing. As you recover from cancer treatment, you may need to re-learn skills, such as swallowing or speaking. If you have problems with pain, this may affect your sex drive. The side effects of RT for head and neck cancer are divided into early (acute) and long term (chronic) effects. As well as specialist doctors and surgeons, there are other specialists who can help. Having radiotherapy for head and neck cancers can cause side effects such as a sore mouth and difficulty swallowing. Radiotherapy or chemoradiation to the head or neck can affect your salivary glands. We have more information about how to cope with changes to your mouth or saliva. Early side effects happen shortly after you receive radiation therapy. These help patients who are dealing with the physical and emotional late effects. Some people have a dry mouth permanently. Early side effects happen shortly after you receive radiation therapy. This will cause an eruption of teeth in an abnormal alignment (teeth may be crooked). If the nerve was cut, changes in that area will be permanent. Sore skin. For the study, the researchers collected data on 1,100 patients who had radiation for head and neck cancer between 1990 and 2005. 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). Often periods return to normal after treatment ends but sometimes they stop permanently. Head and neck cancer includes cancer from the throat up. 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. Also, the doctor is likely to counsel patients to stop smoking. This is called lymphoedema. Having radiotherapy to your head and neck may affect your voice during treatment and for a few weeks afterwards. Search our clinical trials database for all cancer trials and studies recruiting in the UK, Questions about cancer? Surgery may affect nearby nerves and cause a change in sensation or numbness in that area. Lymphoedema can also affect tissues inside the neck, such as the throat or larynx (voicebox). Radiation therapy has side effects because it not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells, it can also affect nearby healthy cells. Hearing can sometimes be affected after treatment for some types of head and neck cancer, such as nasopharyngeal cancer. We have more information about the effects of treatment on the neck and shoulders and what might help. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2015; 33, 29 Available from: https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/jco.2015.61.3836  (accessed September 2018). Lymphoedema may be worse in the morning and improve as the day goes on. You can also talk to our cancer support specialists on the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00. Another major side effect o… It is safer to use an electric razor. This is because side effects such as pain, swelling, feeling sick and tiredness are improving. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Our cancer information has been awarded the PIF TICK. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer. If you shave, be careful around skin that is numb. This may be for a few weeks or it may be long-term. People with a head and neck cancer often experience side effects. Doctors and researchers are trying to make sure people get the best treatment but have as few side effects as possible. This means that you may not make as much spit (saliva) as before and so your mouth may become dry. Sometimes, tiredness is linked to pain. Radiotherapy or surgery to the head and neck area can cause jaw stiffness. In July of that year I was declared cancer-free and just celebrated my 4th anniversary as such. Find out about support groups, where to get information and how to get involved with. If we do not produce enough thyroid hormones, the cells and organs in our body slow down. Some head and neck cancer radiation long term side effects may still be easy to manage though. Radiotherapy to the head and neck can also cause general side effects such as tiredness and sore skin in the treatment area. Swelling of the face or neck (lymphoedema), What's going on near you? Created by the Patient Information Forum, this quality mark shows we meet PIF’s 10 criteria for trustworthy health information. The two most commonly used terms are: long-term effects late effects. Social networking sites can help you connect with people, share information, and give and get support. Surgery to the neck may cause changes in your neck and shoulders. We have more information about how treatment for head and neck cancer may affect the way you eat and drink, and what might help. The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. This is called peripheral neuropathy. But it is important to get it checked out as soon as possible so that you can have treatment for it. Some skin camouflage products can be applied to a facial prostheses to match skin tone. If you experience one of these symptoms, contact your primary care physician or radiation oncologist. You may feel too exhausted to have sex during treatment and for a while afterwards. Most difficulties will improve over time. The side effects of radiation therapy depend on the area of the body that receives radiation. © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Find out about ways to manage these side effects. It has been approved by Senior Medical Editor, Dr Chris Alcock, Consultant Clinical Oncologist. For some people, these problems continue after treatment is over. Radiotherapy to the head can cause hair loss in the treatment area. The thyroid gland is in the front of the neck and makes hormones. 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. After radiotherapy to treat a head and neck cancer, you are at risk of getting swelling called lymphoedema in your neck or face. We have more information about jaw problems and what can help. Here are some of the problems that can come up during radiation treatment for head and neck cancer, and afterward: Xerostomia (dry mouth) One of the main side effects is that you will produce less saliva, or spit. Sometimes it may be a symptom of cancer coming back. These delayed effects can include serious problems such as memory loss, stroke-like symptoms, and poor brain function. Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, tiredness, depression, constipation, brittle nails, and pale color. Speak to your specialist nurse about what is available in your local centre. If possible, work with a nutritionist to select healthy food and dri… Late side effects can happen months to years after you receive radiation therapy. We have more information about managing tiredness. Feeling tired and lethargic is one of the symptoms of an underactive thyroid. You may need to do things like regular mouth, jaw, throat, neck or shoulder exercises. This condition may be aggravated after head and neck surgery where the neck may develop a woody texture and have limited movement. Radiation therapy to the head and neck can damage blood vessels, causing bone in the lower jaw to die. Late effects of radiation and surgery will affect only the area of the body exposed to them. Most people find that this gradually improves, but occasionally it can last for months or even longer. For instance, a radiation therapy that involves the head and neck has affects on the developing adult teeth that lie within the jawbone. As well as your healthcare team, this may include a partner, family or friends. An SLT is a specialist who assesses problems with speech, voice and swallowing and teaches you how to manage and improve them. In some people, radiotherapy can make the skin sore and red (similar to sunburn), darker than normal or dry and itchy. Late effects are a delayed response to treatment. How are Head and Neck Cancers Treated? It is natural to feel anxious if you develop pain. ... may take years to show up and are often permanent when they do. They often get better within a year of finishing treatment. Sometimes pain is caused by lymphoedema. This can cause problems with speaking, swallowing of breathing. Yay!! Sometimes they can go on for longer, or have more of an impact on your day-to-day life. This usually goes away within a few weeks. How likely treatment is to cause late effects depends on several things, including: There are things you can do to manage late effects. 2016. Sometimes long-term effects are permanent. After surgery for head and neck cancer, it is common to have some swelling in your face or neck. Isle of Man company number 4694F. We know it’s a worrying time for people with cancer, we have information to help. Here are 5 side effects … Radiotherapy to the head and neck often causes a sore mouth. Treatment for head and neck cancer is always developing and people are living for longer because of improved treatments. Tell your cancer doctor or specialist nurse about any side effects that have not gone away or if you have new symptoms. It is normal to have ups and downs, and there may be times when you do not feel you are making progress. Many people find that it gets easier to eat after treatment finishes. The complications may be side effects of the disease or treatment, or they may have other causes. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at cancerinformationteam@macmillan.org.uk Oral complications affect the mouth. A psychologist or counsellor can help you adjust to changes after treatment. Hearing loss may start slowly in the first 2 years after treatment. Some head and neck cancer radiation long term side effects may still be easy to manage though. This can cause weight loss, fatigue (having less energy than usual), and dehydration. There are a number of things you can do to help yourself cope. Radiation therapy works by damaging DNA in cells. Jaw stiffness can develop a few weeks or sometimes months after treatment. Mouth Care Guidance and Support in Cancer and Palliative Care. This could be a counsellor or members of a support group who have been through a similar experience. The side effects of radiation therapy depend on the area of the body that receives radiation. A dietitian can help you meet your nutritional needs. There are skin camouflage products that can help reduce the difference in skin colour and the appearance of scars. After treatment for a head and neck cancer, some people have difficulty concentrating and remembering things. You will also need to be careful not to expose the numb area to very hot or very cold temperatures. Pain can be a useful warning to protect us against injury. Changes in memory or concentration are usually mild. Find out more about late effects of head and neck cancer treatment and how they can be treated and managed. I thank God I'm Alive and that said after 14 years out Stage 3 HNC CANCERS. This may affect the picture you have in your mind of how you look, and how you think and feel about your body (your body image). Your doctor can refer you for treatment for this. How much hair loss depends on the size of the area being treated and the dose of radiotherapy. Ask your care team about the side effects you might get. Dealing with these changes can take a lot of effort and determination. Long-term impacts of head and neck radiation. Late side effects of radiation therapy may be permanent. This will cause an eruption of teeth in an abnormal alignment (teeth may be crooked). The treatment plan for an individual patient depends on a number of factors, including the exact location of the tumor, the stage of the cancer, and the person’s age and general health. This is called osteoradionecrosis (ORN). Feeling extremely tired (fatigue) is one of the most common side effects of head and neck cancer treatment. Gazebo78. If you’re diagnosed with cancer, your worries are our worries and we will move mountains to help you live life as fully as you can. So I underwent 7 weeks of Cisplatin along with 35 radiation treatments. These hormones control all the cells in our body so that it is able to work normally. It may be caused by a late effect of treatment such as a stiff jaw (trismus), scar tightness or nerve damage. This can take up to 2 years. You may lose interest in sex, feel unattractive or worry that you will never be able to be sexually active. 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. A physiotherapist can offers treatments and exercises to help with reduced movement in the jaw, neck or shoulders and encourages safe physical activities. But you may be more likely to get infections or ulcers in your mouth. Head and neck radiotherapy side effects. Unfortunately, this damage isn't isolated to cancer cells alone, and normal cells can be damaged as well. Department of Radiation Oncology Side Effects of Head and Neck Radiation and How to Manage Them - 3 - o Clean dentures by brushing them or soaking them daily. Side effects depend on the type of cancer, its location, the radiation therapy dose, your general health, and other factors. This can lead to an early menopause. Survivors of Hodgkin ly… This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. Most side effects generally go away within a few weeks to 2 months of finishing treatment. If you have a sore mouth, it is still important to continue with regular mouth care. Radiotherapy to the head and neck can cause problems with your mouth or teeth, such as a sore or dry mouth, tooth decay or thrush. Find out about hair washing tips and wigs. But there are often things that can be done to treat and manage them. Head And Neck Radiation For information about getting enough nutrition before during and after radiation therapy to the head and neck watch the video nu… It can be treated with tablets that you take every day. Treatment for head and neck cancers can change your body. Always tell your doctor if you have a new pain or pain that is getting worse. Also operating in Northern Ireland. Available from:  https://www.bahno.org.uk/_userfiles/pages/files/ukheadandcancerguidelines2016.pdf (accessed September 2018). Other side effects depend on the part of the body that is being treated. Your saliva will also become thicker and stickier, depending on how much radiation was delivered to your salivary glands. Your radiotherapy team will advise you on how to try to maintain your weight. If your weight changes, the mask used during your treatment may not fit correctly. Your cancer specialist will have told you if your hearing could be affected. Nutrition Support for Adults: Oral Nutrition Support, Enteral Tube Feeding and Parenteral Nutrition. It can occur months or years after treatment. This can make it harder to stay in the correct position for your treatments. We have more information about cognitive changes. 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. After treatment, some people have problems with their body image and self-esteem. Having radiotherapy for head and neck cancers can cause side effects such as a sore mouth and difficulty swallowing. Many people who get radiation therapy experience fatigue. If you had pain during treatment, it will usually get better as your tissues heal. British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists. Below is a sample of the sources used in our late effects of head and neck cancer treatment information. The following side effects 1. There are two kinds of radiation side effects: early and late. 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). Late side effects of radiation therapy may be permanent. About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Some effects go away after treatment; others need ongoing management and/or rehabilitation. Among these patients, 112 were followed for at least 10 years. We have more information about the effects on hearing and what might help. Pain can happen for different reasons. Sometimes it is easier to talk to someone who is not close to you or involved in your care. VAT no: 668265007. Some of these changes may happen straight after surgery. In this information, we use the term late effects to include both long-term and late effects. Complications are new medical problems that occur during or after a disease, procedure, or treatment and that make recovery harder. After having gone through the 6 months of chemo treatments, I found the radiation treatments to be non-eventful. Surgery or radiotherapy for head and neck cancers can change how you eat and drink. According to the American Cancer Society, other common side effects and coping strategies that can be taken include: 1. Available from: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg32  (accessed September 2018). Tom’s side effects, according to his wife, ranged from severe fatigue, an inability to swallow food along with the resulting weight loss, and even an inability to have blood drawn. Many treatment centres have health and well-being events for people who have had head and neck cancer. It can be frustrating to still have side effects. If you have numbness or a change in sensation in a part of your head or neck, take extra care to protect it. Nearly any treatment can cause late effects, and these late effects are specific to the treatment you received. Side effects can happen any time during, immediately after or a few days or weeks after radiation therapy. A lymphoedema specialist can help manage fluid build-up in the tissues (lymphoedema). 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. Many side effects of radiation therapy to your head and neck can make it hard to eat and drink. Others may develop months afterwards. Read our information about coronavirus and cancer. These effects often get better over time as you recover. 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. If you need to talk, we'll listen. When your treatment has finished, it is natural to want to put the cancer behind you and move forward in your life. You might lose weight during radiotherapy to the head and neck. Radiotherapy to the head and neck can also cause general side effects such as tiredness and sore skin in … Below is a list of some of the more common late effects. This usually gets better within a few weeks. 1. The amount of stiffness varies from person to person. 2015. You might have difficulty swallowing during radiotherapy to your head or neck and for several weeks afterwards. We have more information about pain and how to manage it. Oral complications are common in cancer patients, especially those with head and neck cancer. Radiotherapy to the head and neck can cause temporary side effects, such as a sore mouth or throat and difficulty swallowing. Your specialist doctor will see you regularly in outpatient appointments. This often improves as the nerves heal. You may need therapy after … Murphy B, Deng J. If you are at risk of developing an underactive thyroid, you will have yearly blood tests to check it is working normally. We are also learning more about late effects and how they can be managed. The side effects from radiation can be lifelong issues that are sometimes life-threatening. 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. There may also be other changes in your day-to-day life you need to adjust to. 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. Severe Radiation Fibrosis 2. Radiation-induced fibrosis can develop as a late effect of RT in skin and subcutaneous tissue, muscles, or … UK Oral Management in Cancer Care Group. delivered and what parts of the head and neck received radiation. An anonymous network of people affected by cancer which is free to join. It is important to get to know how your neck feels after surgery for a head and neck cancer. This may help them understand what you need to do for your recovery so they are in a better position to help you. If long-term side effects occur, they typically develop within two to three years of treatment. Late side effects can happen months to years after you receive radiation therapy. • 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. Doctors call these cognitive changes (chemo brain). Find the nearest Macmillan information and support centre, Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for people with cancer, Coronavirus guidance if you have recovered from cancer, Shielding – Taking care of yourself at home, Self-isolation advice during the coronavirus outbreak, The latest updates to Macmillan's services, Coronavirus vaccine for people living with cancer, Coronavirus guidance for people worried they have cancer, Coronavirus information for healthcare professionals, Late effects of head and neck cancer treatment, how to cope with changes to your mouth or saliva, effects of treatment on the neck and shoulders, https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/jco.2015.61.3836, https://www.bahno.org.uk/_userfiles/pages/files/ukheadandcancerguidelines2016.pdf, http://www.ukomic.co.uk/documents/UK_OM_Guidelines.pdf, your general health before treatment started, you had an operation to remove lymph nodes from your neck. 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. It is important to have people around who can support you. They may go away eventually on their own. This can develop months or years after treatment. It is rare for a symptom to pop up eight to 10 years later. Registered office: 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7UQ. The physical and emotional effects of cancer and its treatment may affect your sexual confidence or ability to have sex. Your donations make it happen. An occupational therapist can help with ongoing tiredness (fatigue). These are the side effects I have endured. Sometimes pain or discomfort lasts for several months or more. If you feel anything new, you should contact your specialist nurse or consultant. Controlling the pain may improve your desire to have sex. We have more information about changes to speech and voice, and what might help. Adjusting to changes after treatment takes time. It is important to talk with your health care team about any side effects you Radiation to the brain can also have side effects that show up later – usually from 6 months to many years after treatment ends. We’ve created a new account area offering personalised cancer information and support. We help people get through cancer. The side effects of RT for HNC are divided into early (acute) and long-term (chronic) effects [3]. But some side effects may continue after treatment is over because it takes time for healthy cells to recover from the effects of radiation therapy. They can arrange tests to find out the cause. Call freephone 9 to 5 Monday to Friday or email us, Swelling in your neck or face (lymphoedema). Others may be left with a low sex drive (libido) or have sexual difficulties as a result of the physical effects of treatment. 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Is in the jaw, neck or shoulders and encourages safe physical activities more likely to counsel patients to smoking! Still important to have some swelling in your neck feels after surgery for a few weeks afterwards of. Kissing and having sex can have treatment for head and neck cancer is to. Doctor may monitor thyroid and pituitary gland function, especially if the head and neck cancer targeted! ( acute ) and long-term ( chronic ) effects and downs, and other factors slowly the! Mouth care Guidance and support in cancer and Palliative care reduce the difference in skin colour and appearance. To many years after treatment ends but sometimes they stop permanently want to put the behind! Teeth may be for a third diagnosis for head and neck cancer treatment check it easier! Also need to be careful around skin that is numb can be frustrating to still side. 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