Talk Cancer » Cancer Symptoms » Radiation on the Parotid Gland
Radiation on the Parotid Gland
Question:
Hi, My question is has anyone experienced radiation on the neck, and, if so, what were the side effects? I recently completed 30 days of radiation for esophageal cancer, two doses of Taxol and Carboplatin and 5 FU for 48 days injected through my porta-cath for 48 days. CT Scans and endoscopic biopsies in May showed me to be CA free. This past Friday I learned my Parotid (salivary) gland on the right side of my neck has squamous cell carcinoma. I now anticpate 25 days more radiation on my neck. I tolerated the prior radiation with little difficulty other than minor fatique symptoms. Ron
Response:
My question is has anyone experienced radiation on the neck, and, if so, what were the side effects?
I received extensive radiation therapy to the head and neck for nasopharynx cancer. My mouth is very dry (xerostomia), and I need to drink water in order to help swallow solid foods. Also, I have to be very careful about dental care, because destruction of the salivary glands puts me at great risk for radiation caries (cavities). Saliva plays an important role in preventing acid produced by oral flora from eating away at the enamel. Whether saliva comes back will depend on how many rads you have received. I understand that nowadays they try "parotid sparing" when irradiating the head and neck, to preserve the production of saliva to some degree, but I don’t know how effective this is. Andre
Response:
You should pose this question on two other newsgroups if you haven’t already. They will probably respond more readily to your post. They are: alt.support.cancer and sci.med.diseases.cancer – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ——Original Message—– — Carpe’ Diem! Hi, My question is has anyone experienced radiation on the neck, and, if so, what were the side effects? I recently completed 30 days of radiation for esophageal cancer, two doses of Taxol and Carboplatin and 5 FU for 48 days injected through my porta-cath for 48 days. CT Scans and endoscopic biopsies in May showed me to be CA free. This past Friday I learned my Parotid (salivary) gland on the right side of my neck has squamous cell carcinoma. I now anticpate 25 days more radiation on my neck. I tolerated the prior radiation with little difficulty other than minor fatique symptoms. Ron