SURGERY
It is a procedure to remove cancer from the body. It is used when nasopharyngeal cancer did respond to radiotherapy.
SIDE EFFECTS
- Numbness of the earlobe
- Weakness in raising the arm above the head
THERAPY
Radiotherapy
- External radiotherapy: radiation directed at the tumours from a source outside the body.
- Internal radiotherapy: radioactive substance are placed directly or near the cancer cells
SIDE EFFECTS
Temporary
- • Generalized lethargy and fatigue.
- • Skin redness & loss of hair in treated area.
- Sore throat, mouth ulcers, difficulty in swallowing.
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Frequency of passing urine
Long Term/Permanent
- Dryness of mouth due to poor salivary function
- Menopause
- Sterility
- Nerve damage (rare)
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drug to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy will be given before, during and after radiotherapy treatment in the various forms including pill or injection.
SIDE EFFECTS
Common
- Loss of hair
- Generalized tiredness and fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Mouth ulcers
- Blood effects: low haemoglobin, low white blood cells, and low platelets
- Menopause and sterility
Rare
- Heart damage
- Lung damage
- Kidney damage
- Nerve damage
Biological therapy
It is treatment that uses the patient’s immune system to fight cancer. Substances made by the natural body or in a laboratory.
SIDE EFFECTS
Common
- Tiredness
- Cough
- Wheezing
- Chills
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
Rare
- Skin rash
- Swelling at the injection site
- Fatigue
- Bone pain
- Affect blood pressure and the heart
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a type of 3-dimensional radiation therapy that uses computer-generated images to show the size and shape of the tumour.
TREATMENT OPTIONS BY STAGE
Stage I
- Usually they use radiotherapy to the tumours and lymph nodes in the neck
Stage II
- Chemotherapy combine with radiotherapy
- Radiotherapy to the tumours and lymph nodes in the neck
Stage III
- Chemotherapy combine with radiotherapy
- Radiotherapy to the tumours and lymph nodes in the neck
- Radiotherapy followed by surgery to remove cancer- containing lymph nodes in the neck that remain or come back after radiation therapy
- A clinical trial of the chemotherapy before, combine with, or after radiation therapy
Stage IV
- Chemotherapy combine with radiotherapy
- Radiotherapy to the tumours and lymph nodes in the neck
- Radiotherapy followed by surgery to remove cancer- containing lymph nodes in the neck that remain or come back after radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy for cancer that has separated to other part of the body
- A clinical trial of the chemotherapy before, combine with, or after radiation therapy
- A clinical trial of new radiation therapy such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy
Updated:: 14/03/2019 []
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