What to expect from chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer

Your plan depends on the tumour's location and spread, your general health, and whether radiotherapy is also planned. Medicine may be delivered through a vein or taken by mouth. Some people receive treatment in cycles, while chemotherapy given alongside radiotherapy follows a schedule designed by the oncology and radiotherapy teams.

Possible effects include nausea, tiredness, appetite changes, mouth or throat soreness, taste changes, hair loss, and reduced blood counts. Treatment near the head and neck can make swallowing uncomfortable or affect saliva, taste, and hearing. A dietitian, speech and swallowing specialist, or dental team may help before problems become severe.

Take anti-sickness medicines exactly as directed and tell the team if swallowing tablets is difficult. Choose soft, nourishing foods and ask about high-energy drinks if eating becomes hard. Keep the mouth clean with the rinses recommended by your team, avoid tobacco, and attend blood tests and treatment reviews. Arrange transport and support at home, especially when chemotherapy overlaps with radiotherapy.

Contact your treatment team promptly for fever or chills, repeated vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to drink, worsening mouth or throat pain, new bleeding, or reduced urine. Ask for urgent help if breathing becomes difficult, swelling suddenly worsens, or you cannot swallow fluids. Keep your clinic's out-of-hours number accessible.

Ask whether chemotherapy comes before, during, or after radiotherapy; how swallowing and nutrition will be supported; which medicines interact with your treatment; and which symptoms require an immediate call. Ask when blood tests occur and who will coordinate advice between oncology and radiotherapy appointments.