FAQs about Radiation Therapy for Head & Neck Cancer
Q: Will radiation therapy cure my cancer?
Cure rates depend on the site of the cancer. They range from 50% to 95%, with cancers of the thyroid and oral cavity having the lowest cure rates, and cancer of the nasopharynx having the highest.
Q: When will I be able to consider myself "cured"?
The general rule of thumb is that a cancer is considered cured or in remission if you have no signs of the disease for three years after treatment is completed.
Q: Surgery has not been recommended for me; only radiation therapy. Does that mean my cancer cannot be cured?
No, it does not. Radiation therapy is indicated as the definitive treatment for most head and neck cancers.
Q: After the tumor has been removed, what can I do to prevent a new one from forming?
People who have been treated for head and neck cancer have an increased risk of developing a new cancer in the same area. This risk is higher for people who smoke and drink alcohol. Studies have shown that continuing to smoke or drink (or both) increases the chance of getting a second cancer for up to 20 years after the original diagnosis. So if you don't smoke now, don't start. And if you do smoke, make every effort to quit.
For more FAQs, see Radiation Therapy FAQs.
