At the UF Oral Oncology Clinic, recommendations for dental extractions prior to radiotherapy are limited to those areas of the mandible and maxilla that are going to receive greater than 5000cGy. The radiation oncologist must give this information to the dentist prior to the initiation of head and neck radiation.
Full Answer
What questions should I Ask my radiation oncologist before treatment?
Beyond the obvious questions, such as does radiation therapy harm surrounding organs? (yes, it does), or will I suffer from fatigue? (likely so), and does it contribute to lymphedema? (it does), there are important questions you need to ask your radiation oncologist before you accept treatment.
What are the guidelines for dental extractions before head and neck radiation?
Guidelines for Dental Extractions Before Head & Neck Radiation Therapy 1 Non-Dental Factors. If the radiation dose to the bone of the mandible and maxilla is less... 2 Dental Factors. A panoramic radiograph should be taken prior to radiotherapy to assess health... 3 Surgical Guidelines for Extractions Prior to Head & Neck Radiation Therapy.
How to give radiation for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer?
Radiation Therapy for Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer 1 External beam radiation therapy. The most common way to give radiation for these cancers is... 2 Brachytherapy. Another way to deliver radiation is by placing radioactive materials right into... 3 Possible side effects of radiation therapy.
Should teeth be extracted before radiation treatment?
If there are teeth outside of the potential high dose field of radiation that are symptomatic or have a hopeless prognosis, they should be extracted prior to radiation, if time permits.
How does radiation affect your diet?
Why is radiation therapy important?
Can you smoke before oropharyngeal cancer?
Can radiation help cancer?
Can proton beams be used to treat cancer?
Is it too late to quit smoking after cancer treatment?
Can you go alone after surgery?
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What procedures will be included in the dental treatment plan before radiation therapy?
Dental preparation for radiation therapya complete teeth cleaning.x-rays to identify any cavities or other issues.identification of any damaged teeth that need to be removed.removing damaged teeth (removal must be completed at least 7 to 10 days before radiation therapy begins to allow time for healing)More items...
How soon after oral cancer surgery do you start radiation?
Abstract. Objective The National Cancer Center Network recommends starting radiation therapy within 6 weeks after surgery for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC), but there is limited evidence of the importance of the total time from surgery to completion of radiation therapy (package time).
What should I do before my first radiation treatment?
You can expect these steps before beginning treatment: Meeting with your radiation oncologist. The doctor will review your medical records, perform a physical exam, and recommend tests. You will also learn about the potential risks and benefits of radiation therapy.
What questions should you ask a radiation oncologist?
Common Questions to Consider Asking Your Doctor Before TreatmentWhat type and stage of cancer do I have?What is the role of radiation treatment for my type of cancer?How will the radiation therapy be used to treat me?How many treatments will I receive?Will I need other treatments during radiation therapy?More items...
What is the success rate of radiation therapy for oral cancer?
Nevertheless, radiotherapy remains important in managing tongue carcinoma, owing to its better functional and aesthetic results. The data for this group suggested that the 5-year survival rate was 52.5% among patients treated only by surgery, and 56.0% among patients who had received both radiotherapy and surgery.
How many rounds of radiation is oral cancer?
Standard EBRT for oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancers is usually given in daily fractions (doses) 5 days a week for about 7 weeks. But sometimes other schedules might be used: Hyperfractionation radiation is a slightly lower radiation dose given more than once a day (for example, twice a day for 7 weeks).
How can I get my body ready for radiation?
During radiation, it's important to eat well....Listen To What Your Body Is Telling You. Most patients experience little or no side effects during cancer treatment, while some experience any of a number of side effects. ... Be Prepared – Stock Up On Healthy Foods. ... Eat Nutrient-Dense Meals. ... Break The Rules. ... Drink Plenty Of Liquids.
What happens on your first radiotherapy appointment?
You usually have a planning CT scan in the radiotherapy department. The scan shows the cancer and the area around it. You might have had other types of scans or x-rays before this appointment to help diagnose or stage your cancer. Your treatment team might also use these scans to plan your radiotherapy.
What foods should I avoid during radiation?
Avoid raw vegetables and fruits, and other hard, dry foods such as chips or pretzels. It's also best to avoid salty, spicy or acidic foods if you are experiencing these symptoms. Your care team can recommend nutrient-based oral care solutions if you are experiencing mucositis or mouth sores caused by cancer treatment.
Can you drive home after radiation treatment?
Will I be able to drive after my radiotherapy treatment? Almost all patients are able to drive while receiving radiotherapy treatment. However, with some types of cancer, driving may NOT be recommended due to fatigue or strong pain medication. Your physician will be able to address your specific case.
What happens at a radiation consult?
This is a meeting with you, your radiation oncologist and other members of the radiation team. Usually, your treatment planning will involve taking detailed images of your body and making precise marks in the areas that will receive the radiation beams.
What are the disadvantages of radiation therapy?
What are the disadvantages? Radiotherapy can cause side effects, including tiredness, sickness and runny poo (diarrhoea). If you have chemoradiotherapy, you may get side effects from the chemotherapy.
Survival Rates for Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer
Whether you or someone you love has cancer, knowing what to expect can help you cope. Here you'll find in-depth information on specific cancer types – including risk factors, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Quality of Life After Radiation Therapy for Base of Tongue Cancer
The article by Moore provides an example of much needed research evaluating clinical outcomes in head and neck oncology. Measuring the quality of life (QOL) of patients with head and neck cancer presents some unique challenges. First, head and neck cancer profoundly influences some of the most fundamental functions of life, including breathing, eating, and communication. Second, treatment of ...
Side Effects of Radiation Therapy for Tongue Cancer
Unlike chemotherapy, a systemic treatment that travels throughout the body through the blood stream, radiation treatment is a localized treatment which is
sore throat after radiation treatment, how long to recover and heal
My husband just finished his 6 week treatments and is finally home again with a feeding tube, but his throat really hurts, he is 75, and regrets doing it now, plus weight loss was very bad, does anyone have a suggestion on how to start living again, he is really down on the whole thing that he went through, however I told him, if he didn't go and get treatment, he would not live too long.
Side effects of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer
Radiotherapy to the head and neck can cause temporary side effects, such as a sore mouth or throat and difficulty swallowing. Side effects can be mild or more severe, depending on the size of the area being treated and the length of your treatment. They are usually more severe if you have ...
Questions
Do I need someone to bring me in and pick me up after the radiation treatments?
Alternative Names
What to ask your doctor about radiation therapy; Radiotherapy - ask your doctor
What is radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy X-rays or beams of other particles to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. In most cases, a large machine directs the rays of energy to the cancer. This is called external radiation.
When might radiation therapy be used?
Radiation is often part of the treatment for oral cancer. Your healthcare provider may suggest this treatment for several reasons:
Deciding on a radiation treatment plan
You will talk with a radiation oncologist. This is a doctor who specializes in both cancer and radiation. You’ll work with your doctor to decide what your treatment will be and how long it will last. During your visit, ask what you can expect to feel during and after the treatment.
Before radiation treatment
Before you start radiation, you'll need a complete dental exam. This is often done by a dentist who treats patients with cancer (called an oncologic dentist). If your teeth are in poor condition, the dentist will likely remove them.
Before external radiation therapy
Before your first radiation treatment, you'll have an appointment called simulation. This is needed to find exactly where on your body the radiation beam needs to be directed. It may take up to 2 hours. Here's what you can expect to happen during the simulation:
What to expect during external radiation therapy
You can get external radiation as an outpatient at a hospital or clinic. This means you don't need to stay overnight. You'll get a treatment schedule. The schedule usually is 5 days a week, for 6 to 7 weeks. Spreading out the radiation dose helps protect your healthy tissues.
What to expect during internal radiation (brachytherapy)
If you have brachytherapy, you may need to stay in the hospital for a few days while the treatment is done. You may need to limit the amount of time that people visit you because of the radiation inside your body during this time. When the implant is taken out, your body will no longer be radioactive.
How does radiation therapy work?
But radiation is inherently damaging to DNA. Radiation therapy actually works by damaging the genes (DNA) in cells. Genes control how cells grow and divide. When radiation damages the genes of cancer cells, they can’t grow and divide any more.
Can radiation kill cancer cells?
When radiation damages the genes of cancer cells, they can’t grow and divide any more. Over time, the cells die. This means radiation can be used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors… or at least that was the theory. Radiologists know that DNA damage is one of the detrimental effects of ionizing radiation.
How radiation therapy works
Has your doctor recommended radiation therapy? This treatment uses high-energy radiation to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells.
Some questions you can ask
Not sure what to ask your doctor about radiation? Find some suggestions below. You can bring a notebook with you to write down answers, or even enlist a loved one to come along and take notes.
How does radiation affect your diet?
Poor nutrition and trouble swallowing: Many people treated with radiation to the oral cavity and throat area have painful sores in the mouth and throat that can make it very hard to eat and drink. This can lead to weight loss and poor nutrition. The sores heal with time after the radiation ends, but some people continue to have problems swallowing long after treatment ends because of the tightening of the muscles caused by radiation. Ask your speech pathologist about swallowing exercises you can do to help keep those muscles working and increase your chance of eating normally after treatment. Liquid feeding through a tube placed into the stomach might be needed. (See Surgery for Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer for more on tube feedings.)
Why is radiation therapy important?
And because of the complicated types of surgeries, along with the need for coordination between cancer specialists to make a complete treatment plan, it’s very important to have treatment at cancer centers by radiation oncologists who have experience in treating these cancers. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays or particles ...
Can you smoke before oropharyngeal cancer?
Quit smoking before oral and oropharyngeal cancer treatment. If you smoke, it is important to quit. Smoking during radiation treatment can cause more side effects and a poor response to radiation, which can raise your risk of the cancer coming back (recurrence).
Can radiation help cancer?
Radiation after surgery can also help lower the chance the cancer will come back in the same spot. Before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy) with chemotherapy (chemoradiation) or after chemotherapy to try to shrink some larger cancers. In some cases, this might make it possible to use less extensive surgery and remove less tissue.
Can proton beams be used to treat cancer?
Because there are so many critical structures close by, proton beam radiation can be used to treat certain tumors of the oral cavity or oropharynx.
Is it too late to quit smoking after cancer treatment?
Quitting smoking for good (before treatment starts, if possible) is the best way to improve your chances for successful treatment. It is never too late to quit. For help, see How To Quit Using Tobacco.
Can you go alone after surgery?
Alone as the main treatment for small cancers or for people who can’t have surgery. After surgery (adjuvant therapy), either alone or with chemotherapy (chemoradiation), to try to kill any cancer cells that might have been left behind because they were too small to be seen with the naked eye during surgery.
Why do you need to have a dental extraction before radiation?
Extractions prior to head and neck radiation are often recommended to reduce the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaws after radiation.
What is the recommended depth for dental radiation?
Teeth in the proposed high dose field of radiation should be considered for preradiation therapy extraction if periodontal sulcular depths are equal to or greater than 5mm, if there is furcation involvement, if they have a history of refractory periodontitis, tooth mobility, bleeding, or inflammation of the gums.
Why do you need a panoramic radiograph?
A panoramic radiograph should be taken prior to radiotherapy to assess health of the teeth and jaws. Patients without teeth should also have a panoramic film. Other intraoral radiographs may be necessary.
How long does it take for a tumor to heal after a head and neck surgery?
After extraction, 2-3 weeks healing time is recommended before head and neck radiation therapy begins.
How long should you wait to heal from a mucosal extraction?
It may be advisable to place the patient on prophylactic antibiotics for one week after extraction to reduce the risk of infection. Allow a minimum of 14-21 days of healing prior to the initiation of radiation therapy.
When should impacted teeth be extracted?
Impacted teeth, especially third molars, that will be located in the proposed high dose field of radiation should be extracted prior to radiation, if there is pathology associated with the teeth or if the teeth have a communication with the oral cavity .
Can you get radiation for tooth extractions?
The younger the patient, the longer the teeth must be maintained disease free. If dental extractions are required (due to tooth decay or periodontal disease) in areas that will receive high dose radiation , the patient will be at significant risk for osteonecrosis. The risk of osteonecrosis in irradiated areas is present for the duration of the patient’s life. There is no “safe” time limit to wait for extractions or surgery in these areas. Therefore, the patient needs to be informed of the potential life-long risk before radiation therapy is initiated, even if the teeth are very healthy.
How long does radiation treatment last?
They usually begin by the second or third week of treatment and may last for several weeks after the final radiation treatment.
Can you be radioactive if you have a radiation seed implant?
You’re radioactive only if you’re undergoing treatment with a radiation seed implant. If you are hospitalized for this procedure, you’ll be in a protected room to limit your exposure to other people. This is something your doctor will talk to you beforehand.
Can radiation cause cancer?
The risk of developing a second cancer due to radiation therapy is very low. The benefits of your recommended treatment far outweigh the small risk that your radiation treatment could cause another cancer later in life.
Can radiation therapy cause infections?
Generally, cancer patients who are treated with radiation therapy alone aren ’t more likely to develop infections. Pamela J. Schlembach is professor of Radiation Oncology at MD Anderson in The Woodlands. Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or by calling 1-877-632-6789.
How does radiation affect your diet?
Poor nutrition and trouble swallowing: Many people treated with radiation to the oral cavity and throat area have painful sores in the mouth and throat that can make it very hard to eat and drink. This can lead to weight loss and poor nutrition. The sores heal with time after the radiation ends, but some people continue to have problems swallowing long after treatment ends because of the tightening of the muscles caused by radiation. Ask your speech pathologist about swallowing exercises you can do to help keep those muscles working and increase your chance of eating normally after treatment. Liquid feeding through a tube placed into the stomach might be needed. (See Surgery for Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer for more on tube feedings.)
Why is radiation therapy important?
And because of the complicated types of surgeries, along with the need for coordination between cancer specialists to make a complete treatment plan, it’s very important to have treatment at cancer centers by radiation oncologists who have experience in treating these cancers. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays or particles ...
Can you smoke before oropharyngeal cancer?
Quit smoking before oral and oropharyngeal cancer treatment. If you smoke, it is important to quit. Smoking during radiation treatment can cause more side effects and a poor response to radiation, which can raise your risk of the cancer coming back (recurrence).
Can radiation help cancer?
Radiation after surgery can also help lower the chance the cancer will come back in the same spot. Before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy) with chemotherapy (chemoradiation) or after chemotherapy to try to shrink some larger cancers. In some cases, this might make it possible to use less extensive surgery and remove less tissue.
Can proton beams be used to treat cancer?
Because there are so many critical structures close by, proton beam radiation can be used to treat certain tumors of the oral cavity or oropharynx.
Is it too late to quit smoking after cancer treatment?
Quitting smoking for good (before treatment starts, if possible) is the best way to improve your chances for successful treatment. It is never too late to quit. For help, see How To Quit Using Tobacco.
Can you go alone after surgery?
Alone as the main treatment for small cancers or for people who can’t have surgery. After surgery (adjuvant therapy), either alone or with chemotherapy (chemoradiation), to try to kill any cancer cells that might have been left behind because they were too small to be seen with the naked eye during surgery.