Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It's an option
for people with any stage of laryngeal cancer. People with small tumors may
choose radiation therapy instead of surgery. It may also be used after
surgery to destroy cancer cells that may remain in the area.
The radiation comes from a large machine outside the body. You may go to the
hospital or clinic once or twice a day, generally 5 days a week for several
weeks. Each treatment takes only a few minutes.
Radiation therapy aimed at the neck may cause side effects:
Sore throat and difficulty swallowing: Your throat may
become sore, or you may feel like there's a lump in your throat. It may be
hard for you to swallow.
Changes in your voice: Your voice may become hoarse or
weak during radiation therapy. Your larynx may swell, causing voice changes.
Your doctor may suggest medicine to reduce the swelling.
Skin changes in the neck area: The skin on your neck
may become red or dry. Good skin care is important. It's helpful to expose
your neck to air while also protecting it from the sun. Also, avoid wearing
clothes that rub your neck, and don't shave the area. You should not use
lotions or creams on your neck without your doctor's advice. These skin
changes usually go away when treatment ends.
Changes in the thyroid: Radiation therapy can harm your
thyroid (an organ in your neck beneath the voice box). If your thyroid
doesn't make enough thyroid hormone, you may feel tired, gain weight, feel
cold, and have dry skin and hair. Your doctor can check the level of thyroid
hormone with a blood test. If the level is low, you may need to take thyroid
hormone pills.
Fatigue: You may become very tired, especially in the
later weeks of radiation therapy. Resting is important, but doctors usually
advise people to stay as active as they can.
Weight loss: You may lose weight if you have eating
problems from a sore throat and trouble swallowing. Some people may need a
temporary feeding tube.
Some side effects go away after radiation therapy ends, but others last a
long time. Although the side effects of radiation therapy can be upsetting, your
doctor can usually treat or control them. It helps to report any problems that
you are having so that your doctor can work with you to relieve them.
You may want to ask your doctor these questions before having
radiation therapy:
What is the goal of this treatment?
When will the treatments begin? When will they end?
What are the risks and side effects of this treatment? What can
I do about them?
How will I feel during therapy? What can I do to take care of
myself?
Are there any long-term effects?
If the tumor grows back after radiation therapy, will surgery be
an option?
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
Head and neck cancer is cancer of the oral cavity, salivary glands, paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, or lymph nodes in the upper part of the neck. These cancers account for 3% to 5% of cancers in the U.S. Tobacco and alcohol use are important risk factors. Treatment may involve surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.
Though it's difficult to say why some people develop cancer while others don't, research shows that certain risk factors increase a person's odds of developing cancer. These risk factors include growing older, family history of cancer, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and exposure to sunlight, ionizing radiation, certain chemicals, and some viruses and bacteria.
Asbestos exposure lung disease is divided into three main types, asbestosis (lung scarring caused by asbestos fibers), disease of the lining of the lung (pleural plaques, scarring, or fluid accumulation), and lung cancer. Mesothelioma is cancer of the lining of the lung caused by asbestos exposure. Cancers of the larynx, throat, kidney, esophagus, and gallbladder have been linked to asbestos exposure. Treatment is dependant upon the type of condition related to asbestos exposure.
Acid backing up into the larynx (voice box), it causes reflux laryngitis. Irritation of the lining of the esophagus, larynx, and throat can lead to esophagitis, sinusitis, strictures, hoarseness, throat clearing, swallowing problems, asthma, chronic cough, and more. Typical symptoms of reflux laryngitis include heartburn, hoarseness, or a sensation of a foreign body in the throat. Reflux laryngitis can be treated with OTC medication, prescription medication, and lifestyle changes.
Smokeless tobacco can have negative health effects such as cancers, poor oral health (gum disease and tooth decay), infertility, pregnancy complications, and nicotine addiction.
Most often, caregivers take care of other adults who are ill or disabled. Less often, caregivers are grandparents raising their grandchildren. The majority of caregivers are middle-aged women. Caregiving can be very stressful, so it's important to recognize when it's putting to much strain on you and to take steps to prevent/relieve stress.
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth, low birth weight or premature birth, and more. Secondhand smoke also increases your baby's risk of developing lung cancer, heart diseases, emphysema, asthma, allergies, and SIDS.
Smoking increases the risk of heart disease in women and men. Nicotine in cigarettes decrease oxygen to the heart, increases blood pressure, blood clots, and damages coronary arteries. Learn how to quit smoking today, to prolong your life.
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