Throat cancer treatment

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy involves using radiation to destroy the cancer cells, while trying to cause as little damage as possible to nearby healthy tissue. It's carried out using a machine to deliver a narrow beam of radiation to the affected area, or by surgically implanting small radioactive pellets next to the cancerous tissue.

Radiotherapy can have side-effects such as causing painful inflammation of the lining of your mouth. This can be painful and you may need painkillers for a few weeks until your mouth begins to heal.

You might have radiotherapy after surgery to make sure all the cancer cells have been killed off.
Chemotherapy

This involves taking medicines that disrupt the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy can also have side-effects such as making you feel sick or tired.

Chemotherapy is sometimes used in combination with radiotherapy. It's usually given as an intravenous injection or drip. Some drugs can be given as tablets.
















You will need to visit hospital a number of times to receive your radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Prevention

There are a number of lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk of mouth cancer:

* visit your dentist for regular check-ups
* look for any changes in your mouth, sore patches or ulcers that don't heal
* don't smoke
* don't chew tobacco
* drink only in moderation (up to two to three units a day for women and up to three to four units a day for men)
* eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables (at least five different portions per day)
* take care to protect your skin from sunlight and other UV exposure such as sunbeds - wear sunblock on your lips, stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm and wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face