Are there any sequelae of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma? What should I pay attention to?

Are there any side effects of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma? What should we pay attention to?

After radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, patients do experience sequelae during their long-term survival.

Common sequelae include:

1. Dry mouth, difficulty speaking. Exudative otitis media. Nosebleed and adhesion of nasopharyngeal membrane. Subcutaneous edema of face and neck and radiation erysipelas. Gingivitis, tooth loss. Vision loss, blindness. Brain edema, brain necrosis. Radiation skin damage and soft tissue fibrosis. Radiation cranial nerve damage.

2. The occurrence of sequelae depends on the patient's overall physical condition. If they have good tolerance during radiotherapy to accept the entire treatment, they may not have sequelae.

3. It is recommended that radiotherapy be combined with comprehensive Chinese medicine treatment to enhance immunity, kill residual cancer cells, and regulate the balance of yin and yang, so that patients can be improved and controlled in the shortest time and achieve the most ideal results.

4. As nasopharyngeal cancer patients are affected by the disease, have heavy psychological burden, poor appetite and low resistance, their family members should be guided to encourage them to eat and give them high-protein, high-vitamin, low-fat and easily digestible foods, such as beans, milk, fungi, carrots, etc. Tell the patients to quit smoking and drinking, avoid raw, cold and hard foods, avoid spicy foods, and avoid moldy foods.