Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancers
External Beam Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy treatments are delivered in a series of painless daily sessions. Radiation treatments take only a few minutes, but each session takes about 30 minutes to get checked in, change clothes, get into position and receive the radiation. For some conditions, radiation is given twice a day, with several hours between treatments. Treatments are usually scheduled Monday through Friday, for five to eight weeks. The time will depend on your treatment plan and type of cancer.
- Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) combines multiple radiation treatment fields to deliver precise doses of radiation to the affected area.
- Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a form of 3D-CRT that further modifies the radiation by varying the intensity of each radiation beam. This allows a precise adjustment of radiation doses to the tissue within the target area.
- These targeted treatments help get radiation to the cancer and avoid healthy tissue nearby. This may help avoid side effects like changes in your saliva.
- To help you keep still during treatment, your doctor may use a plastic mask over your head and shoulders. This device has holes so you can see and breathe through it, and it is specially designed to fit snugly on you. Wearing the mask doesn't hurt.
Chemotherapy is medication that treats cancer. It is often given in addition to radiation therapy to help cure your cancer. Ask your doctor whether you will be receiving chemotherapy and about any side effects to expect.
