Head and Neck Cancer Services
This leaflet has been designed to give you and your family information about what to expect next:
After radiotherapy:
- You will have an outpatients appointment one week after treatment finishes in the radiotherapy outpatients department
- You will then return to ENT and, or Oral surgery four to six weeks later to commence follow up, this involves a discussion and clinical assessment (examining your neck and looking inside the mouth and nose)
If you have any concerns in this time please contact us on the numbers below.
Future investigations
If necessary post treatment scans may be ordered three months after treatment finishes.
The majority of your follow up is a clinical examination and discussion, and further investigations would be ordered if required, four to six weekly in the first year of your follow up.
Feeding tube
Your PEG or NG (nasogastric) tube will only be removed once it has been decided between yourself, your consultant and dietitian that you are able to maintain your oral intake sufficiently.
Skin care
You will need to continue to moisturise your skin daily, with a gentle moisturising cream.
On holiday or summer months – we recommend you always use a high UV or UVB SPF suncream in the area you have had radiotherapy and keep the area covered out of direct sunlight.
Mouthcare
It can take up to two years for your saliva to improve but this may not always return to the same as pre-treatment.
You need to continue with regular dental check-ups and maintain good oral hygiene. We would advise you to not consider visiting your dentist regarding dentures for at least six months post treatment, please discuss at your appointment for further information.
The intense side effects of radiotherapy can continue at a peak for up to two months afterwards and start to gradually subside, but some of the effects can take longer to improve, please call us to discuss further or ask at your clinic appointment for individual information.
Contact us
If you require further information please contact:
- Macmillan Head & Neck Specialist Nursing Team
Tel: 01642 835702
Email: [email protected] - Speech and Language Therapist Team
Tel: 01642 854039
Email: [email protected]
Patient experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the Patient Experience Department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print.
T: 01642 835964
E: [email protected]