Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancers

Possible Side Effects

• Side effects of radiation therapy are limited to the area that is receiving treatment. Side effects can include redness of the skin, sore mouth and throat, dry mouth, thick mouth secretions, alteration of taste, pain on swallowing and temporary hair loss on your head, neck and face. Feeling tired is also very common.
• The way foods taste and the amount of saliva you produce should improve after treatment ends. However, foods may not taste exactly as they did before treatment.
• Medications may be prescribed to make you as comfortable as possible. Nutritional supplements may be given to help prevent weight loss.
• In some patients treated with combined radiation therapy and chemotherapy, mouth sores and pain when swallowing may prevent proper earting and drinking. In that case, a small feeding tube may be temporarily used during treatment.

If during your treatment you feel discomfort, tell your doctor or nurse. They may be able to prescribe medicine to help you feel better. The type and duration of radiation treatment side effects will vary from person to person.