What to expect from chemotherapy for head and neck cancer

The medicines and timing depend on where the cancer started, its extent, your kidney and hearing health, and whether surgery or radiotherapy is planned. Chemotherapy may be given by vein in cycles, sometimes alongside radiotherapy. Before each course, the team may review blood tests, weight, hydration, mouth condition and swallowing. A dietitian or speech and swallowing specialist can help if eating or drinking becomes difficult.

Common effects include tiredness, nausea, appetite changes, mouth soreness, taste changes, hair changes and lower blood-cell counts. Treatment alongside radiotherapy can make mouth and throat irritation more troublesome, so early symptom control matters.

Use the mouth-care routine given by your team and avoid tobacco and alcohol unless your clinicians advise otherwise. Choose soft, moist foods if chewing or swallowing hurts, and ask for nutrition support before weight loss becomes substantial. Tell the team about mouth ulcers, thick saliva, dental pain, coughing with drinks or a new difficulty swallowing. Bring a medicine list and mention hearing changes, ringing in the ears, numbness or kidney problems before treatment starts.

Contact the cancer team promptly for fever or chills, inability to drink, repeated vomiting, severe mouth or throat pain, choking, new breathing difficulty, uncontrolled bleeding or very little urine. A rapidly worsening neck swelling or sudden difficulty managing saliva needs urgent assessment. Call emergency services for severe breathing trouble, collapse or uncontrolled bleeding.

Is chemotherapy being used with radiotherapy or another treatment? How will you protect my teeth, mouth, hearing and kidneys? Who can help with swallowing and nutrition? Which symptoms mean I should call immediately rather than wait for my next visit?