Life after head and neck cancer

The treatment process for patients with head and neck cancer will cause many impacts on quality of life. After treatment has ended, people with head and neck cancer can expect life to return to normal. However, returning to daily activities can be difficult.

Head and neck cancers account for about 10% of all cancers. Head and neck cancer is a dangerous disease, but if detected and treated in time, there is a high chance of cure.
Most people with head and neck cancer start in the squamous cell layer that lines the surfaces of the head and neck area. Certain types of head and neck cancer, such as oral cancer, salivary gland cancer, laryngeal cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, thyroid cancer.
People with head and neck cancer account for about 4% of cases in the United States, affecting more than 50,000 people each year. Survival rates for these cancers have increased over the past 30 years.

Treatment-related side effects from head and neck cancer include:
Dental problems; Problems swallowing; Jaw stiffness, jaw tightening; Musculoskeletal problems, such as limitation of motion or pain in the area around the head and neck.

3.1. Nutritional Effects Common nutritional problems in patients with head and neck cancer include:
Weight loss and malnutrition : Weight loss during radiation therapy to the head and neck area can be disabling. the safety of the therapy as well as its effectiveness for the patient. In chemotherapy, the patient's weight loss also prevents the patient from receiving the optimal dose of treatment. Inflammation of the mucous glands, dry mouth, hard jaw, laryngeal fibrosis leading to taste changes, decreased appetite: In patients with esophageal cancer, the common manifestations include inflammation of the mucous glands, esophageal pain, and difficulty swallowing. , in which dysphagia is encountered in >90% of patients with esophageal cancer, making this presentation specific to this group of patients. Swelling, pain, choking, difficulty chewing: The patient has difficulty swallowing after the treatment. In patients with esophageal and gastric cancer, support should be given to the control and control of language function for several months after the end of treatment. At the same time, these patients also need more nutritional supplements than usual because it is difficult to return to the previous diet. Diarrhea, Nausea, and Vomiting: Diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea are common side effects caused by certain chemotherapy drugs. If not well controlled, diarrhea can cause dehydration, electrolyte deficiencies, malnutrition and also prolong hospital stay. The mucous glands in the intestinal tract and the digestion of foods are also affected, thus affecting the absorption and digestion of food to varying degrees. Thus reducing protein, energy and vitamin metabolism in people with head and neck cancer. Some nutritional advice:
People with head and neck cancer need to maintain a healthy weight, provide a diet rich in energy and protein every day. People with head and neck cancer need to eat a variety of foods. People with head and neck cancer should not use common foods that cause difficulty in chewing and swallowing. It is recommended to process foods in liquid, smooth and pure form such as soups, smoothies, milk, fresh fruit juices for people with head and neck cancer. Instead of eating 3 main meals, people with head and neck cancer should divide their meals into small portions of 6-8 meals a day to provide more energy. 3.2. Psychological effects Social relationships: Cancer can alter social relationships between patients and family, co-workers and friends. The treatment process can strengthen a patient's relationships with those around him, but it can also further fracture these relationships. The main cause of breakdown in relationships is often because people don't know how to best support the patient. Therefore, having a frank, open conversation is said to be the simplest way to solve this problem. Bear in mind that silence can destroy relationships. Change from the inside out: Cancer treatment can make a patient change from appearance to health such as: Weight change, hair loss, more scars from surgery, infusion. or parts of the body that are changed or need to be removed. All of these things can change the appearance and sexual orientation of someone with head and neck cancer. Cancer treatment also affects reproductive organs such as the breast, prostate, testicles, and vagina. The change causes the patient to panic when he thinks he is no longer a man or a woman. The desire and desire to live is the first thing that patients think of when they know the results of their cancer diagnosis. At first, the person may not be interested in sexual problems, but after a while, the person will want to return to normal life as before. It takes a long time for many people with head and neck cancer to adapt to changes in their body parts or appearance. Patients should talk to their doctor about all their concerns. Psychological problems of cancer patients: Anxiety; Depression ; Feelings of uncertainty and negative thoughts; Anger and fear.

For many people with head and neck cancer, survival serves as a powerful motivator to make lifestyle changes. People recovering from head and neck cancer are encouraged to follow established guidelines for good health, such as:
Swallow therapy: Swallowing problems are a common side effect. of head and neck cancer treatment. Swallowing therapy can help patients learn exercises that can help them maintain their range of motion and strength. After cancer treatment, patients can find out if they have any changes in their throat and learn ways to make swallowing easier or better. Oral health: Many head and neck cancer patients experience symptoms inside the mouth. Your doctor can help you with many dental problems, including dry mouth, tooth removal, good hygiene, and more. Audiology: Patients may have their hearing tested before and after cancer treatment to determine if there are any changes. Audiologists can treat hearing loss and other problems such as tinnitus and vertigo. Physical therapy: Many patients with head and neck cancer experience musculoskeletal problems, including limitation of motion or pain, limited jaw opening, or poor posture. Through physical therapy, they can learn therapies to improve physical abilities and reduce pain. Dietitian: Some patients may need to modify their diet to deal with side effects such as problems swallowing. Dietitians can help them learn how to get enough calories. Your doctor can also help you create an appropriate exercise plan based on your needs, physical ability, and fitness level. Therefore, talk with your doctor to develop a death care plan that best suits your needs.

References: Cancer.net, Oncolink.org