EFFECTS OF RADIATION THERAPY ON NORMAL TISSUES IN HEAD AND NECK CANCER

Abstract

Radiation therapy plays an important role in the treatment of head and neck cancer. Rapid technological development of radiation therapy in recent years has greatly enhanced our ability to effectively decrease the adverse events. However, the head and neck region is composed of numerous structures, such as mucosa, the tongue, salivary glands, and the mandible. Details of changes of these tissues after radiation therapy are presented, including their pathology, clinical symptoms, and potential treatments.
Relationships between wound complications and radiation therapy are also mentioned.