What to expect from radiotherapy for voice box cancer

Planning scans show the treatment team where to direct radiation around the larynx. A mask or support may hold your head and shoulders in the planned position. During each session you need to stay still, but you can communicate with staff between steps.

A hoarse or weaker voice, dry throat, throat soreness, thicker saliva and painful swallowing may develop during treatment or soon afterwards. Neck skin can become irritated. A speech and language therapist or dietitian can help protect communication, swallowing and nutrition.

Drink often if your team allows it, choose moist soft foods when swallowing is sore, and follow the mouth-care plan you receive. Rest your voice when it feels strained rather than whispering for long periods. Avoid smoking and alcohol because they can irritate the throat.

Use only recommended creams on the neck, keep the area out of strong sun and report swallowing changes early. Keep medicines and contact numbers available, including the out-of-hours oncology service.

Contact your team promptly if you are struggling to swallow fluids, coughing during drinks, losing your voice rapidly, or developing worsening throat pain. Seek urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, noisy breathing, choking, sudden neck swelling or inability to handle saliva.

Ask how the plan may affect voice and swallowing, whether a speech specialist should see you before treatment, which mouth-care products are suitable, and how to recognise airway problems. Ask who to contact if eating, drinking or speaking becomes difficult.