Fortunately, many types of head and neck cancer have a cure when found early. The focus of treatment is to eradicate the cancer while maintaining the function of nearby tissues. While many treatments are available, they aren’t always appropriate for the type of cancer. Read on to learn more about common treatment options for head and neck cancer. You may also wish to learn about treatments for symptoms and side effects. After you’ve been diagnosed with head and neck cancer, your doctor will discuss the next steps for your treatment.
Physical side effects of treatment are common and often manageable. Depending on the type of cancer, treatment duration, and general health, people with head and neck cancer can experience temporary changes to their appearance and speech. Some patients experience difficulty speaking or breathing after their surgery. If you find that this is the case, you can consider working with a speech-language pathologist or a registered dietitian to address these challenges. You should also know about the importance of follow-up care.
Radiation therapy is another treatment option for head and neck cancer. It involves the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to damage or kill cancer cells. A schedule will be created for you based on the type of cancer and how many treatments are needed. If your doctor finds that your treatment is not effective or is causing you too many side effects, he or she may recommend chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both.
After treatment, your care team will continue to check your progress, manage side effects, and monitor your overall health. Follow-up care may involve regular physical examinations and medical tests. Survivorship care is an essential part of the recovery process for people with head and neck cancer. This type of treatment also encourages people to make healthy lifestyle changes. Not only does exercise help you recover your strength and energy, it also promotes overall health. If you’re looking for a new exercise routine, work with your healthcare team to create a plan tailored to your specific needs.
In addition to chemotherapy, surgery for head and neck cancer can involve surgery. While it can be frightening, speaking with your treatment team can help you understand what you’re going through and prepare yourself for the procedure. Surgery may involve a neck dissection or lymphadenectomy. It can be an invasive procedure that can leave scarring and may affect your ability to speak or move. Your surgeon will remove the cancer and any other tissues that may be affected by it, while preserving the head and neck area.
The best treatments for head and neck cancer can include clinical trials. These studies test new drugs and treatments that may improve the quality of life for patients with the disease. This is because these studies will give you an opportunity to receive the new treatments before the general population. However, clinical trials are not suitable for everyone and may result in side effects. However, they are a great way to learn about new treatments and therapies before they become available to the public.
