Radiation Therapy and Head and Neck Cancers
The standard treatment of head and neck cancers often includes combined modality therapy involving surgery followed by post-operative radiation or organ-preservation with definitive chemotherapy and radiation, without the need for surgery. Advances in image-guided radiation therapy have allowed us to deliver more intense doses of radiation in a more focused area of the body, increasing the treatment’s effectiveness against cancer and minimizing its impact on surrounding structures, including critical structures such as salivary glands, spinal cord, brainstem and swallowing muscles.
At City of Hope, we have been treating head and neck cancers using Helical TomoTherapy since 2004, and therefore our department has extensive experience in planning and delivering such treatment.
This technology combines radiation delivery with advanced imaging — including positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) scans - so that treatment is precisely targeted to the tumor, while avoiding nearby normal tissues. Post-treatment imaging is also performed during follow-up appointments to ensure optimal outcomes for the patient.
Here is an example: the upper left figure shows a traditional CT scan of the neck used for treatment planning. The borders of the tumor are poorly outlined. With a fused PET/CT treatment planning scan (upper right figure), one can immediately recognize the boundaries of the tumor volume. The scan also demonstrated small lymph nodes in the neck with brightness levels consistent with tumor involvement (lower left figure). With CT alone, these lymph nodes would not have been covered in the high-dose treatment volume. Given the seamless PET/CT image fusion, it was possible to delineate these nodes in the treatment plan without distortion or uncertainty. Furthermore, with a fused MRI of the neck (lower right figure), additional information regarding tumor extension is now available. This data is easily incorporated into our planning.
This figure shows the same patient’s Tomotherapy treatment plan: the color map displays different amounts of radiation dose being given to different areas within the head/neck. This is known as “dose-painting.” The distribution of radiation dose across the head/neck is customized to each patient’s individual tumor type and anatomy.
This process of sophisticated planning using the Tomotherapy system results in dose distributions that can avoid critical structures in the immediate vicinity of the tumor, such as the salivary glands (outlined in pink and light blue).
Radiation for Head & Neck: What You Can Expect
- Radiation oncologist to plan your radiation therapy.
- Radiation therapists to administer your radiation treatments.
- Medical oncologist to provide chemotherapy.
- Head and neck surgeons to remove, biopsy or evaluate cancer.
- Nurses to manage your care.
- Dentist to provide a pre-radiation dental evaluation and specialized care.
- Swallowing specialist to teach you techniques to swallow, which can become difficult during treatment.
- Dietician to help you chose the foods and liquids right for you.
- Tobacco cessation specialist, if you smoke.
Before treatment
- Follow any instructions your provider gives you regarding what to eat or drink.
- If you think you might be uncomfortable, bring Tylenol or another pain medication to take one hour before your procedure.
- Bring mouth guards if your dentist made them for you.
- Wear comfortable clothes.
- Remove earrings and necklaces.
- Positioning: Your provider will place you on a table in the simulation machine in the position you’ll hold during treatment. Immobilization devices such as molds and masks are customized to help you stay in the same position.
- Mask: To make your mask, your therapist will place wet plastic mesh over your face, shaping it around your head as you lie on the table. The mask will harden in about 15 minutes. During your simulation and treatment, the mask will be placed on your face and secured to the table. You’ll be able to see and breath comfortably at all times.
- Imaging: Images will be taken using a computed tomography (CT) scan or an X-ray machine. For clearer images, CT scans sometimes require an intravenous contrast, or dye, to be used. Positron emission tomography (PET) scan or Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) might also be used. All scans take about 4 hours.
- Skin markings/Tattoos: To ensure you’re correctly positioned on the table each treatment, your provider will mark the treatment area on the mask or your skin with either a bright, temporary paint or a set of small, permanent tattoos no larger than the head of a pin. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about tattoos.
- Treatment planning: Your treatment team will use the images taken during your simulation to plan the dose of your radiation, as well as the angles and shapes of radiation beams. The goal is to maximize the dose to the cancer and minimize the dose to normal tissues. It generally takes 5 to 7 days from the time of your simulation until your first treatment.
- Treatment scheduling: Radiation treatments are typically scheduled five days a week, Monday through Friday, over 6 to 7 weeks. The number of radiation treatments depends on the cancer, treatment regimen and goals, and your overall health. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments can be given on the same day.
- Set-up procedure: You’ll have a one-hour set-up procedure before your first treatment. Talk to your provider about taking any pain or anxiety medication that was helpful during your simulation. Therapists will position you on the table as they did during your simulation.
During Treatment
Side effects
- Pain or sores in the mouth and throat
- Dry mouth or thickened saliva
- Pain or difficulty swallowing
- Changes in taste
- Brush your teeth with mild toothpaste containing fluoride and a soft-bristle or baby’s toothbrush.
- Remove and clean dentures, bridges or dental prosthesis each time you clean your mouth.
- Use a mouthwash without alcohol or sugar (Biotene or Dentek)
- Use a lip moisturizer (Aquaphor). Don’t use four hours before treatment.
- Rinse your mouth with water or a solution for 15 to 30 seconds every 4 to 6 hours or as needed.
- Try mouth moisturizers.
- Sip water or other liquids (coconut water, almond milk, Gatorade, broth) throughout the day.
- Use an aerosol pump spray bottle to moisten your mouth often.
- Use a humidifier, especially at night.
- Avoid air conditioning.
- Use any of these solutions:
- 4 cups of water mixed with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- One quart of water mixed with 1 teaspoon of salt
- One quart of water mixed with 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- Dryness
- Stuffiness
- Occasional minor nosebleeds
- Rest your voice.
- Don’t whisper as it can strain your vocal cords.
- Use a humidifier.
- Gargle with solutions mentioned above.
- Pink or tanned
- Bright red or very dark
- Dry, itchy, flaky
- Keep your skin clean: Bathe or shower daily using warm water and gently clean your skin with a mild, unscented soap (Neutrogena, Dove, baby soap, Basis, Cetaphil).
- Use a daily moisturizer: Miaderm lotion is available at the City of Hope Positive Image Center and on Amazon.com.
- Makeup
- Perfumes
- Powders
- Aftershave
- Shaving
- Extremely hot or cold temperatures (hot tubs, heating pads, ice packs)
- Scratching your skin
- Tanning
- Eat soft, moist, bland foods taken in small bites and chewed well
- Use sauces and gravies to soften food.
- Blend or purée your food.
- Speak with your provider about nutritional supplements.
- Very hot foods and liquids.
- Dry, hard and coarse foods (e.g., chips, pretzels, crackers, raw vegetables).
- Spices.
- Acidic fruits and juices.
- Alcohol.
- Tobacco
- Rinse your mouth before eating.
- Add gravies and sauces to food.
- Drink while eating dry foods.
- Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day.
- Choose foods and drinks high in calories and protein
- Eat your meals in a calm place and take your time
- Eat with family or friends
- Bring snacks and drinks to treatment
- Speak with your provider about nutritional supplements
- Eat foods at room temperature or cooler (yogurt, sherbet)
- Cooled or chilled liquids (ginger ale)
- Dry, starchy foods (toast, soda crackers, dry cereal, pretzels)
- Cold chicken or turkey, baked or broiled, with the skin removed
- Soft fruits, vegetables
- Hot foods with strong odors
- Spicy, fatty, greasy, fried foods
- Very sweet foods
- Acidic or citrus foods and juices
- Alcohol
- Shift or cut back on your work schedule
- Plan activities during times you’ll have the most energy
- Plan naps and time to rest
- Ask family and friends for help
- Exercise if that improves your energy
- Eat foods high in protein and calories
- A temperature of 100.4° F (38° C) or higher.
- Nausea, vomiting or both so severe you can’t keep anything you eat or drink (or take through your feeding tube) down for 24 hours.
- Constipation not relieved by medication.
- Pain not relieved by medication.
- Blisters on your skin in the area being treated.
After treatment
- While many treatment side effects will slowly go away four to eight weeks after treatment is completed, some might persist longer.
- Take care of your mouth for the rest of your life:
- Have consistent dental follow-up appointments.
- Continue to use the fluoride toothpaste.
- Avoid sweet, sticky foods as they can increase your risk of cavities.
- Avoid tanning or burning your skin. Use a PABA-free sunblock with an SPF of 30 or higher and cover the skin that was treated with radiation.
- Maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet and take a daily multivitamin.
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco.
- First year: Every four to six weeks
- Second year: Every two months
- Third year: Every three months
- Fourth and fifth years: Every six months
- Annually thereafter
To speak with a staff member at the Evaluations and Treatment Center (ETC), call (626) 218-5200.
Learn more about our head & neck cancer and radiation oncology programs.