|
| |
Radiation to Head and Neck
Radiation to the Head and Neck lasts approximately five to
seven weeks. Patients lay on radiation table for a few minutes each time.
Side effects:
Side effects of
radiation treatment to the
head and neck do not start immediately. Usually, after two or three weeks of treatment,
the patient will experience some sort of:
-
Redness or itchiness over the skin at the
site of the radiation. Various creams or lotions can be prescribed by the radiation
oncologist in order to minimize this. Patients should not place any powders or lotions on
their skin, unless instructed by the
radiation oncologist.
-
Dryness of the mouth, otherwise known as Xerostomia
-
Loss of taste of food
-
Tiredness: Another side effect from head
and neck radiation is tiredness. This is usually very mild and becomes more prominent
during the last few weeks of treatment. This side effect, like the skin redness, is
completely reversible and will fade over the subsequent weeks.
-
Dry cough: Some patients will develop a dry
cough because the radiation irritates the lining of the airways.
-
Difficulty in swallowing/heartburn:
Patients may also experience difficulty in swallowing or may develop heartburn. This is
due to radiation passing through the esophagus. Remember that these side effects from
radiation treatment are temporary and they will usually disappear several weeks after
completion of the radiation course.
| |
|
