Cancers of the Head and Neck
Diagnosis and Treatment
The stage of the cancer is important. Staging is the determination of tumor extent – how large the tumor is and if it has spread. Depending on the stage, recommendations regarding treatment can be made.
Radiation therapy plays an important role in the management of head and neck cancers. Radiation is often given as the only treatment – as definitive treatment – with curative intent. This may be possible for some early stage tumors in certain areas. Sometimes radiation therapy is given with chemotherapy since they may work in synergy and increase chance of tumor control. Your cancer physicians can best guide you as to the best treatment plan – tailored to your situation.
One of the big advantages of radiotherapy in the management of head and neck cancers is that mutilating surgery can sometimes be avoided – surgery in such a sensitive area as the face, head and neck can cause physical disfigurement compromising a persons well being, self esteem and social interactions.
In certain situations, surgery for management of a head and neck tumor may be unavoidable, due to disease extent. Radiation therapy is sometimes given after surgery to improve chances of cure, since very often, microscopic disease may be left behind after the operation.
As with any medical procedure, there can be side effects from treatment. The side effects from radiation therapy depend on the site that is being irradiated. The most common are pain in the mouth or throat from temporary inflammation caused by the radiation, temporary skin irritation (like a sunburn), temporary decreased taste sensation, and dry mouth. Your radiation oncologist can inform you as to what to expect. In addition, he/she can give you instructions as to the best way to relieve some of the side effects.
We are entering an exciting era in the treatment of head and neck cancer – on many fronts. One of the exciting areas we are now witnessing is the fusion of imaging, radiation and treatment planning technologies. The technology to target the radiation beam to the tumor is now much greater with the advent of IMRT (intensity modulated radiation therapy . The technique results in less “collateral damage” from radiation therapy – and less dose to the normal tissues means less side effects.
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Overview of Head & Neck Cancers
Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Side Effects
For more information see:
San Diego CyberKnife Center - Head & Neck Lesions
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