Radiation therapy (RT) plays a key role in curative-intent treatments for head and neck cancers. Its use is indicated as a sole therapy in early stage tumors or in combination with surgery or concurrent chemotherapy in advanced stages.
Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that involves sending high-energy beams of particles through the skin toward the tumor. When the beams reach the tumor, they destroy the cancer cells by damaging their DNA. Radiation therapy is known for its particular effectiveness against head and neck tumors.
Radiation therapy can be used in one of several ways to treat head and neck cancer. It may be recommended after head and neck surgery to prevent the cancer from coming back. Radiation may also be used as the sole treatment. Some people may receive radiation in combination with chemotherapy or other drug therapies.
The most common side effects of radiation to the head and neck include:
- changes in your skin that look like a sunburn
- hoarseness
- changes in taste
- dryness of the mouth
- weakening of the teeth
- pain, sores, or redness in the mouth
