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Once your doctors have determined that radiation therapy may be part of the treatment plan for your Head and Neck Cancer, there will be a few steps to allow the radiation oncology team to begin treatment safely. 

 

These include:

 

 - CT simulation
 - Treatment plan design (dosimetry)

 - Verification

 - Start of daily treatments

 - Weekly doctor visits with your radiation oncologist

Short term:

 

Side effects are usually temporary and usually go away shortly after treatment ends. Below is a list of possible side effects you might notice during your treatment.

More likely

• Fatigue

• Weight loss

• Decreased appetite

• Skin irritation

• Dry mouth

• Hair loss on face or back of head

• Loss or altered taste

• Mouth ulcers

• Pain with swallowing

• Thick mucous/secretions

• Swelling of neck

 

Less likely

• Temporary feeding tube

• Difficulty swallowing 

• Voice changes

• Cough

• Severe skin reaction

• Shortness of breath

• Difficulty opening mouth

• Lung inflammation

• Ear fullness

 

Long term:

 

After the short-term side effects of radiation therapy resolve, others may become noticeable months or years later.

More likely

• Weight loss

• Dry mouth

• Fatigue

• Loss of hair on face/back of head

• Neck swelling

• Discoloration of skin

• Thickening/tightness of neck

• Difficulty swallowing 

• Chronic taste changes

 

Less likely

• Decreased thyroid function

• Permanent feeding tube

• Voice changes 

• Tooth decay

• Difficulty opening mouth

• Hearing loss

• Spinal cord damage

• Jaw damage

• Brain tissue damage

• Arm nerve damage

• Second cancers