Sequelae of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Radiotherapy in various hospitals is generally the first choice for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, whether it is radiotherapy or chemotherapy, there are not only side effects but also many sequelae. Of course, the degree of recovery after treatment is different for each person, and the symptoms are also different. So are you aware of the sequelae of radiotherapy?

1. Dry mouth and tooth decay. During radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the parotid glands are often damaged. The parotid glands are located deep in the cheeks on both sides. They are inevitably exposed to high doses of radiation during conventional radiotherapy, which greatly reduces their ability to secrete saliva. Even after several years of radiotherapy, it is still difficult to recover. Many patients experience dry mouth and have to drink water every few minutes. They have difficulty swallowing rice. Saliva contains various lysozymes. Reduced secretion leads to the proliferation of oral bacteria. Some patients develop severe tooth decay and tooth damage several years after radiotherapy. The main preventive measures include paying attention to oral hygiene, rinsing your mouth frequently after meals, brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste, and repairing or removing bad teeth in the mouth before radiotherapy.

2. Difficulty in opening the mouth. The incidence of difficulty in opening the mouth after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma is 5% to 10%, which is related to the high dose of radiation to the temporomandibular joint. Some patients have severe restrictions on opening their mouths, which affects eating and speaking. Necessary mouth opening exercises during and after radiotherapy can reduce the incidence, such as holding a cork in the mouth, opening and closing mouth exercises, etc.

3. Hearing loss and deafness. Eight percent of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma have obvious hearing loss after radiotherapy, and three percent of patients have bilateral deafness, which is related to the high dose of radiation received by the middle ear and inner ear. There is currently no effective preventive measure except reducing the radiotherapy dose.

4. Neck fibrosclerosis. Several years after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, some patients may develop fibrosis of the neck muscles and skin, manifested as neck muscle atrophy, neck thinning, and thin skin. Active neck rotation exercises may reduce its severity.

5. Central nervous system damage. After radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the temporal lobe tissue on both sides is exposed to high doses of radiation and causes radiation-induced brain damage. The main manifestations are memory loss, personality changes, headaches, etc. The general treatment includes high-dose hormone shock therapy, VitminB12, Mecobalamin and other nerve-nourishing drugs.

It is obvious that having nasopharyngeal cancer is extremely painful. Patients have to bear both the pain during treatment and the consequences after treatment. Therefore, we must be cautious in choosing a treatment method. We should understand the pros and cons of different methods through various means to accurately weigh them, avoid detours, leave fewer sequelae, and reduce pain.