Treatment options for mouth cancer via radiation: A guide to the process
In the fight against oral cancer, radiation therapy plays a significant role. Unlike traditional X-rays, proton beam radiation therapy uses protons to minimise radiation exposure to healthy tissues, making it a more targeted approach.
Radiation therapy can be used in combination with other treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted cancer medications. For oral cancer, treatments often involve a combination of surgery and radiation therapy.
However, this treatment method is not without its side effects. One of the most common side effects is dry mouth, or xerostomia, which can lead to difficulty swallowing. Other oral symptoms include mouth sores, changes in taste or smell, oral mucositis, and pain in the oral cavity.
Radiation therapy can also cause fibrosis of the masticatory muscles, leading to limited mouth opening, and damage to bone and soft tissues in the irradiated area. Sensory neuropathies, such as altered taste (dysgeusia), altered smell (dysosmia), and sensorineural hearing loss, may also occur due to nerve and auditory system damage caused by radiation.
Hearing loss might develop progressively and can be acute or delayed. Less common symptoms include a burning sensation or discomfort in the oral cavity, transient tooth discoloration, skin changes such as redness or peeling at the radiation site, and potential joint or muscle pain around the head and neck areas.
The severity and presence of these side effects depend on factors such as radiation dose, area treated, concurrent chemotherapy, and individual patient factors such as oral hygiene and smoking history.
It is essential to regularly follow up with a doctor after radiation therapy and take care of oneself to help with any side effects. Consulting a dentist before starting treatment is also crucial to check for any dental issues that may increase the risk of infection.
Brachytherapy, which involves placing radioactive implants in or near the tumor for a high radiation dose, is another treatment option. Regardless of the method used, early detection of oral cancers can increase treatment success and reduce death and disfigurement.
Sources:
- Radiation Therapy and the Head and Neck: Techniques and Sequelae
- Oral Mucositis: Etiology, Pathophysiology, and Current Treatment Strategies
- Radiation Therapy Side Effects: Oral and Head and Neck Cancer
- Oral Complications of Cancer Therapy: Prevention and Management
- Radiation-Induced Ototoxicity: Current Understanding and Future Perspectives
- Science continues to advance with therapies like proton beam radiation therapy in the battle against oral cancer.
- This type of therapy utilizes protons instead of traditional X-rays, minimizing exposure to healthy tissues.
- For oral cancer, a common treatment combination is surgery followed by radiation therapy.
- Nevertheless, radiation therapy comes with side effects, including dry mouth or xerostomia.
- Dry mouth can cause difficulty swallowing, exacerbating oral health issues.
- Other oral symptoms may include mouth sores, altered taste or smell, oral mucositis, and oral cavity pain.
- Fibrosis of the masticatory muscles can also occur, limiting mouth opening.
- Damage to bone and soft tissues in the treated area is possible, as well as nerve damage leading to sensory neuropathies.
- Altered taste (dysgeusia) and altered smell (dysosmia) are potential sensory neuropathies, alongside sensorineural hearing loss.
- Hearing loss can be acute or delayed, and hearing protection should be a priority during treatment.
- A burning sensation or discomfort in the oral cavity may also develop.
- temporary tooth discoloration, skin changes, joint or muscle pain, and discomfort around the head and neck are less common symptoms.
- The side effects experienced depend on factors such as radiation dose, the area treated, concurrent chemotherapy, and individual patient factors.
- Patients must regularly follow up with doctors after radiation therapy for proper care and management of side effects.
- A dentist consultation before treatment is vital for assessing any dental issues that could increase the risk of infection.
- Another treatment option is Brachytherapy, which uses radioactive implants for a high radiation dose near the tumor.
- Early detection of oral cancers can significantly improve treatment success and prevent death and disfigurement.
- Regular check-ups and proper oral hygiene are crucial for preventing oral complications.
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