Nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients need strict care after radiotherapy

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors. Currently, the main methods for treating nasopharyngeal carcinoma are surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, many patients will receive radiotherapy as an auxiliary treatment after surgical treatment in order to avoid secondary recurrence or metastasis. However, during radiotherapy, nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients will experience a sharp weight loss, which is caused by many reasons. Since the radiation does not disappear from the body immediately after the end of your radiotherapy, it will last for about 1 month in the body. Therefore, during this period, you still have to insist on gargling your mouth. You can gargle with light salt water yourself, 4 to 5 times a day, or ask your doctor to prescribe some mouthwash.

Because the nasopharyngeal mucosa is congested and swollen after irradiation, patients often have dry nasal mucosa, nasal congestion, increased and sticky nasal secretions, and severe cases may affect rest and sleep. You can use cod liver oil or compound peppermint oil to drip your nose 3-4 times a day to protect the nasal mucosa. It is best to learn the correct flushing method of a simple nasopharyngeal flusher and the commonly used liquids.

The skin in the radiation field should not be scrubbed with soap, rough towel or hot water. Avoid direct sunlight when going out. If the skin peels, do not tear it or scratch it with your hands.

After radiotherapy, it may cause dysfunction of the head, neck and mandibular temporal joints, and sometimes it may be difficult to open the mouth and the neck movement is limited. In order to prevent these complications, you should do some appropriate exercises according to your physical condition during radiotherapy, such as deep breathing, outdoor walking, and slow rotation of the neck back and forth. After radiotherapy, do mouth opening exercises, such as holding a small round plastic bottle or a smooth small log in your mouth, and massage the mandibular temporal joints. After the treatment, you can also go to the park or an open space outdoors to practice Tai Chi or stretch your muscles. The doctor will prescribe some necessary examinations, such as X-rays, blood draws, CT scans, etc. to understand the whole body.

As for diet, be careful to avoid spicy and irritating foods, such as chili peppers, fried foods, etc. During radiotherapy, drink more water, such as American ginseng tea, carrot and water chestnut water, etc. American ginseng has the effect of clearing heat and replenishing qi. It can be sliced ​​and rinsed with water, or used as an ingredient in soup.

Clinical data show that scientific symptomatic treatment can increase the 3-year survival rate of patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma from 22% to 76%. Only early detection and early treatment can achieve satisfactory treatment results. In addition, diet and care should not be neglected during the treatment of advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Patients should maintain a good mental and psychological state in order to achieve better results.