Monitoring side effects of head and neck cancer treatment

Changes in appearance and self-esteem

Surgery to treat head and neck cancer can be life-saving, but it can also cause serious changes to the facial area. These changes can range from minor scarring to more severe damage.

Regardless of whether the changes in appearance are large or small, many people struggle with low self-esteem after receiving treatment for head and neck cancer. As body image deteriorates, quality of life can also decline.

Organizations like the Head & Neck Cancer Alliance and Support for Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC) can build connections between people struggling with low self-esteem and support groups, mental health care providers, and other resources to help deal with these issues.

Difficulty eating or swallowing

Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy to treat head and neck cancer can cause damage to the nerves, muscles, bones, and other body parts used for chewing and swallowing. This damage may make eating difficult.

Your health care team can help you adjust your eating habits to address the challenges caused by these injuries. In some cases, a feeding cannula may be necessary to ensure adequate nutrition.

breathing changes

Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy can cause problems such as inflammation or scarring that damage the airways. As a result, treatment for head and neck cancer may affect your ability to breathe.

Depending on the severity of the injury, your health care provider (HCP) may need to create an alternative airway in the front of your neck to help you breathe. This is a tracheostomy.

dental problems

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for head and neck cancer can damage the salivary glands and cause a condition called dry mouth (xerostomia). The term dry mouth is exactly what it sounds like and is associated with cavities and other dental problems.

Drinking plenty of water, chewing sugar-free gum, and using products to treat dry mouth are steps that can help prevent tooth damage. It is a good idea to keep your treatment plan up to date with your dentist. It can help resolve any dental problems that may arise.

permanent dry mouth

In some cases, damage to the salivary glands from radiation therapy is permanent, and such damage may cause dry mouth.

Fortunately, this disorder can be controlled with the solutions just mentioned (lots of water, sugar-free gum, special products for dry mouth). Visiting your dentist regularly helps keep your teeth and gums healthy.

jaw damage

Radiation limits the blood supply your bones need to keep them strong and healthy. Typically, the jaw cannot be protected from exposure during radiation treatment for head and neck cancer, which can lead to a condition called osteoradionecrosis (ORN), which occurs when bones die from radiation exposure. This disorder most commonly affects the lower part of the jaw, but can also occur in the upper part.

One way to deal with ORN is to limit damage by making sure your teeth and gums are as healthy as possible before exposing them to radiation. Treatment options for ORN include surgery to remove dead bone and reconstruct the jaw.

Voice changes and speech complications

Surgery and radiation therapy for head and neck cancer can damage the vocal cords and change the way you speak. Your voice may sound different or it may be more difficult to speak.

Your health care team may refer you to a speech therapist, a specialist who can help you identify how you use your voice or teach you other ways to communicate.

lymphedema

The lymphatic system carries clear fluid (lymph) that is filtered by kidney-shaped clumps of tissue called lymph nodes. Treatment for head and neck cancer can damage the lymphatic system, causing inflammation when lymph fluid builds up under the skin.

This swelling is called lymphedema and is especially common in patients with head and neck cancer because there are many lymph nodes in the head and neck. Lymphedema is often treated with complete decongestant therapy (CDT), which helps lymph flow and be reabsorbed into the body, reducing inflammation.

chronic pain

Head and neck cancer and its treatment can be very painful. Living with pain can affect the effectiveness of your treatment and your overall quality of life, so your healthcare team will work with you to create a personalized plan for pain management.

This plan may include painkillers as well as non-drug treatments such as physical therapy and acupuncture. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, and other types of mental health support may also help relieve pain associated with head and neck cancer.

Help is available.

It is understandable to experience difficult emotions related to the side effects of treatment. If you have trouble managing it, contact your health care provider. He or she will recommend professionals, support groups, and other resources to help you deal with all of this.