Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer
Targeted radiation therapy is often given to head and neck cancer patients as part of a multidisciplinary treatment regimen. Targeted therapy helps preserve structures vital to eating, swallowing, speaking, and hearing.
Stereotactic radiation therapy uses multiple angles to safely and precisely deliver a more potent dose than can be given with standard radiation therapy. UT Southwestern helped perfect this type of radiation, and only experts with advanced training such as those at UT Southwestern perform the procedure on head and neck cancer patients.
Radiation oncologists at UT Southwestern were the first in the world to conduct a formal study treating cancer of the larynx (voice box) with the CyberKnife, an advanced robotic, radiosurgical tool that can offer some patients improved voice recovery after treatment.
Our surgeons are also skilled at using the Gamma Knife for precise, noninvasive brain and skull-base surgery.
Side effects of radiation therapy include:
- Mouth irritation, redness, or sores in the mouth
- Dry mouth
- Difficulty swallowing
- Nausea
- Loss of taste
- Jaw stiffness
- Earache
Some patients may experience swelling or sagging of the skin under the chin, and the skin’s texture may change.