When is chemotherapy recommended for head and neck cancer?

Head and neck cancer includes tumours in areas such as the mouth, throat, nose, sinuses and voice box. The role of chemotherapy depends on the exact site, tumour size, nearby lymph nodes, whether it has spread, and whether surgery or radiotherapy is planned. Given with radiotherapy, it can make cancer cells more responsive to radiation. In some situations it is considered before local treatment to shrink disease, or after surgery when the pathology suggests additional treatment is needed. If cancer has spread or returned, medicines may be used to control it and ease symptoms.

Your team also considers kidney function, hearing, nutrition, dental health, swallowing, speech, other medicines and your ability to attend monitoring visits. Chemotherapy may be combined with another systemic medicine, but the plan is tailored to the cancer rather than chosen from the diagnosis name alone.

Ask the head and neck team to explain the treatment goal and how chemotherapy fits with surgery or radiotherapy. Before starting, discuss dental review, swallowing and nutrition support, hearing or kidney checks when relevant, fertility concerns, and medicines or supplements. Arrange help with transport and meals if fatigue or treatment visits affect daily routines. Report mouth sores, trouble swallowing, dehydration, reduced urination or worsening pain early so the team can respond.

Call the treatment team promptly for fever, chills, uncontrolled vomiting, new bleeding, severe mouth or throat pain, inability to drink, or signs of dehydration. Seek emergency help for severe breathing difficulty, sudden swelling of the face or neck, confusion, collapse or rapidly worsening swallowing. A blocked airway is an emergency; do not wait for a routine oncology appointment.

Is chemotherapy being used to cure, reduce recurrence risk, shrink the tumour or control symptoms? Will it be given with radiotherapy or at another stage? How might it affect swallowing, hearing, kidneys, teeth and nutrition? Who should I contact outside clinic hours?