They usually begin by the second or third week of treatment and may last for several weeks after the final radiation treatment. In rare instances, there are serious side effects. Ask your doctor about the specific side effects that you may encounter and any follow-up questions about how to deal with them.
Full Answer
What questions should I ask my doctor about radiation therapy?
BEFORE you schedule any radiation therapy appointments to treat your cancer, here are some very important questions you need to ask your doctor. These questions are meant to empower you to take control of your health and have a clear understanding of the cancer treatment being offered. What is the goal of the radiation for my cancer?
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.
Why should I see a dentist before chemo?
Chemoradiation (radiation given at the same time as chemotherapy) often works better than radiation alone, but it also has more side effects. Radiation to this part of your body can cause problems for your teeth and gums, so it's important to see a dentist before starting treatment. A dentist can make sure your mouth is healthy before treatment.
What questions should I ask about cancer treatment?
These questions are meant to empower you to take control of your health and have a clear understanding of the cancer treatment being offered. What is the goal of the radiation for my cancer? Is this a cure or a short term solution?
What procedures will be included in the dental treatment plan before radiation therapy?
Before Head and Neck Radiation Therapy Conduct a pretreatment oral health examination • and prophylaxis. Schedule dental treatment in consultation with the • radiation oncologist. Extract teeth in the proposed radiation field that may • be a problem in the future.
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.
Why do you need dental clearance before radiotherapy?
A dental examination before irradiation of head and neck cancers is important, Dr. Martin said, for two reasons: to impress on the patient the need for fluoride therapy and to remove any unrestorable, abscessed, or periodontally diseased teeth in the field of radiation therapy.
What questions should I ask about radiation treatment?
Some questions you can askHow does radiation work?What type of radiation will I receive?Where will I receive treatment?How long will the sessions take?How many treatments will I need?How flexible is the radiation schedule?Can I work while receiving radiation?What are the possible side effects?More items...•
How do I prepare my body for radiation?
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 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 have dental treatment during radiotherapy?
Do not provide elective invasive dental treatment to a patient currently receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy to head or neck, or to those who received chemotherapy or radiotherapy to head or neck in the previous six months, or had a stem cell/bone marrow transplant in the last six months, without taking advice from ...
Can you have teeth pulled after radiation?
A conservative approach is advised in regard to extraction of teeth after radiation. [41] Extraction should only be considered after careful evaluation. Extremely mobile periodontally compromised teeth can be safely removed with minimal risk of developing ORN.
What does radiation do to teeth?
Radiation to the head and neck for treatment of cancer does not have a direct affect on the teeth but can change saliva. The saliva may feel thick and sticky or the mouth may feel dry. When this happens the teeth can become painful and cavities can form quickly.
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 is the success rate of radiation therapy?
“When patients are treated with modern external-beam radiation therapy, the overall cure rate was 93.3% with a metastasis-free survival rate at 5 years of 96.9%.
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
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 you feed liquid through a tube?
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.) Dry mouth: Damage to the salivary (spit) glands from radiation can cause a dry mouth that doesn't get better with time.
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.
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.
What does "fluid" mean in a doctor appointment?
Your scheduled appointments will be "fluid". This means from one day to the next, your appointment could be anywhere from an hour early to an hour later. There will be people who cancel at the last minute and others who require more time than expected. Just be ready, and try not get upset by the changes.
Does radiation hurt a tumor?
Your care team will tattoo a few tiny dots on you in your affected area so they can line up the machine correctly with your tumor. The needle is tiny, and it doesn't hurt. Still, I cried.
Do you need a cradle for radiation?
You will be fitted for a cradle. Not the kind you slept in as a child. Similar to a beanbag chair that hardens to your shape, the cradle will help keep you in place for radiation therapy. Every day I was grateful for the cradle. It allowed the radiation to reach the tumor while protecting the healthy parts of my body.
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 long does it take for a skin reaction to heal after radiation?
For radiation treatments aimed at the skin or shallow areas, mild, temporary skin reactions are common, affecting up to 85% of patients, and typically resolve within a couple of weeks.
What is radiation therapy?
External beam radiation therapy is the most common type of treatment and it delivers radiation from a source outside the body. Getting a recommendation for radiation therapy as part of cancer treatment comes with a learning curve – and a lot of questions. More than half of all patients with cancer receive radiation therapy at some point in their ...
What is the radiation oncology team at UT Southwestern?
Advances in stereotactic radiation therapy and technology are helping the Radiation Oncology team at UT Southwestern's Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center deliver more effective and less invasive treatments to patients. Nina Sanford, M.D., provides a behind-the-scenes look at the life-changing options.
How long does radiation stay in the body?
These sources remain active in the body for many weeks (and longer in some cases), but the radiation emitted is so low that there is a negligible risk to others. However, to be extra cautious, patients are advised to avoid close contact with children and pregnant women for up to two months. 2.
Do cancer patients need radiation?
More than half of all patients with cancer receive radiation therapy at some point in their care, and patients and their families want to know how radiation works and how it might affect their lives during and after treatment. Still, we know some patients feel nervous asking questions about their cancer therapy. In a word: Don’t.
Can radiation therapy be harmful?
Some patients worry that undergoing radiation therapy can be harmful to others because they are radioactive. For example, patients sometimes think they can't cuddle with their partner or hold a grandchild on their lap until after treatment. However, most patients don’t need to worry about being radioactive.