Aero-digestive tract cancers are mainly related to alcohol and tobacco. For several years now, the proportion of cancers linked to the HPV virus has been increasing.
The initial presentation is variable depending on the location of the tumour:
- Difficulties with swallowing
- Pain in the mouth
- Change of voice
- Lump in the cervical region
- Spitting up blood
- Pain
The treatment of VADS tumours is complex and often combines several treatment methods depending on the location or stage of the disease. It usually combines surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
In order to prepare for the radiotherapy, a CT scan is performed with a compression mask. Radiotherapy is usually delivered over a period of 25 to 35 sessions. If chemotherapy is chosen, it is delivered at the same time as the radiotherapy.
The anticipated side effects of cervical radiotherapy are mainly inflammation of the skin and the mucous membranes, which may prevent normal feeding during treatment. Tube feeding may therefore be required even though these symptoms are usually resolved within a month after irradiation.
Radiotherapy may also lead to a decrease in saliva and a change in taste. Regular mouthwashes will be required during the treatment, and the teeth will need to be fluorinated post-treatment. These effects may take longer to disappear or even become permanent, even though new irradiation techniques such as conformal radiotherapy by intensity modulation aim to reduce their occurrence.
