Styes on eyelids

DooDad

Any evidence of styes being a late effect of radiation for head and neck cancer? I completed my chemo and radiation in October 2020. I have trouble with dry mouth, but have been doing well. For the last several months I've had recurring styes on my eyes. Sometime upper lid and sometimes lower lids on both eyes. Just wondering if any connection. Thanks - Peggy

wbcgaruss

Well, DooDad, as far as I know, this is not a recognized often noted side effect as far as I remember and I have been around this subject of H&N cancer for quite a number of years.

But this treatment of radiation and chemo chemicals we run through our body during our treatment put our bodies in general and organs and other parts of our bodies such as your eyes under exposure you would never experience in natural life. So I would say anything is possible because of this treatment. It puts your body and system under extreme duress for a period of time upsetting the balance of everything. So I wouldn't be surprised if they could connect something like this.

I did a little research and found that they are saying your eyes can be affected so you are not off base connecting this stye problem.
I am going to post some info here and will provide the link to it also, it is a site listing late-term side effects from ROJ (Radiation Oncology Journal).

This is the page link…

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7533405/

Note I have highlighted "eye, ear, neurological and neck structures damage"

Late side effects of radiation treatment for head and neck cancer

Patients undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer (HNC) experience significant early and long-term side effects. The likelihood and severity of complications depends on a number of factors, including the total dose of radiation delivered, over what time it was delivered and what parts of the head and neck received radiation. Late side effects include: permanent loss of saliva; osteoradionecrosis; radiation recall myositis, pharyngoesophageal stenosis; dental caries; oral cavity necrosis; fibrosis; impaired wound healing; skin changes and skin cancer; lymphedema; hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, lightheadedness, dizziness and headaches; secondary cancer; and eye, ear, neurological and neck structures damage. Patients who undergo radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma tend to suffer from chronic sinusitis. These side effects present difficult challenges to the patients and their caregivers and require life-long strategies to alleviate their deleterious effect on basic life functions and on the quality of life. This review presents these side effects and their management.

Also, this paragraph says a lot about how radiation can damage blood vessels that in turn nourish muscles, nerves, and bones which to me means a lot since we have a lot of very small blood vessels in the H&N area plus the main carotid arteries in the same area that supply blood to the brain.

Introduction

Radiation therapy (RT) is often used to treat head and neck cancer (HNC) [1]. RT can damage blood vessels that nourish muscles, nerves, and bones resulting in a progressive “radiation fibrosis syndrome”, which causes a variety of complications [2]. The likelihood and severity of complications depends on a number of factors, including the total dose of radiation delivered, over what time it was delivered and what parts of the head and neck received radiation. The side effects of RT for HNC are divided into early (acute) and long-term (chronic) effects [3]. Early side effects occur during the course of therapy and during the immediate post therapy period (approximately 2–3 weeks after the completion of a course of RT). Late effects can manifest any time thereafter, from weeks to years later [4].

Patients are usually most bothered by the early effects of RT, although these will generally resolve over time. Knowledge of the radiation side effects can allow their early detection and proper management. Late side effects include permanent loss of saliva; osteoradionecrosis; pharyngoesophageal stenosis; dental caries; oral cavity necrosis; fibrosis; radiation recall myositis, impaired wound healing; skin changes and skin cancer; lymphedema; hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, lightheadedness, dizziness and headaches; secondary cancer; and eye, ear, neurological and neck structures damage. This manuscript reviews the major late side effects of RT and their management (Table 1).

Also here is a link talking about the Carotid arteries in the H&N area.
I know some doctors recommend an ultrasound of the Carotid arteries as an occasional follow-up after H&N cancer treatment involving radiation.
I have had it done once many years ago so I think at my next ENT appointment I will mention the ultrasound of Carotid arteries and see what he thinks about it and whether he would he recommend having it done every so many years.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21492-carotid-artery

I hope this helps a bit.

Take Care, God Bless

Russ

wbcgaruss

Also for everyone on the board here take a look at this video showing our blood flow of the H&N.

Our bodies are truly wonderfully made and created.

Circulatory System | Arteries & Veins of the Head & Neck | Head Model

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlxRsRKxuaE

Take Care, God Bless

Russ

DooDad

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1717841#Comment_1717841

Russ, thank you so much for the information. I forgot to mention another problem that I think is related to my radiation treatments - vertigo. One morning as I was rolling over to get out of bed, I was hit with extreme nausea and dizziness. After a couple of doctor visits (primary care and ENT) I was told it is vertigo. I just had to make some adjustments to my lifestyle. When I go to the dentist, they return the chair to an upright position slowly. When I get my haircut, I can't use the shampoo chair. When I go in for CT or PetScans, I need assistance getting up from the table and then have to sit in a chair for a bit. It happens when I am flat on my back and returned to a sitting position quickly. Fortunately, I'm not a back sleeper.

And thanks for the video. Amazing.

God Bless and have a great day

Peggy

SuzJ

Find an ENT (ask oncologist) who can fix your virtigo, AND show you how to do it yourself.

My Dr said it's an exercise in trust, scary as all hell first time but, trust the doc.

When they do it, they drop the head of the seat below head height, and they stand behind you, then you throw yourself back (Trust!) and the dr catches you and moves your head from side to side.

When I do it, as I was taught, sit on the edge of my bed, and throw myself back, head first one way then another. Takes a few flips to clear my ears, and for the nystagmus to clear, but no meds!

Try it next time, you will be amazed!

SuzJ

Oh duh, totally missed the question. Make sure they actually are styes. Do you get lumps like that elsewhere?

If you do, you need an allergist. Mine shows as Angioedema, yet another damage by radiation by product, it's causes MAST calls.

I just started this part of the journey, so I only know the link is to radiation damage, maybe ask your oncologist?

DooDad

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1717962#Comment_1717962

Good morning and thanks for the information. No, I don't get lumps in other places. My eye doctor agreed that it's styes and told me to use moist heat. I will talk to our family ENT about the vertigo exercise.

DooDad

I just found out through additional research that one of the late effects of radiation for HNC is DED (Dry Eye Disease) or DES (Dry Eye Syndrome). Radiation can damage the lacrimal glands (tear ducts) causing dry eyes, which can cause styes, as well as more serious eye problems.

wbcgaruss

Yes, DooDad, it seems there isn't much that can't be affected by the radiation although most of us only get one or two effects. Still, if they are severe it can have an impact on our quality of Life.

Take Care, God Bless

Russ

DooDad

I found an ophthalmologist that treats chronic dry eye and the resulting styes. I can't get in to see him until late December, but all things considered, this is a very minor issue.

Thank you for your unwavering support and kindness to all.

God Bless you too.

SuzJ

December? Awesome!!

In January I tried to make an appt, and I was told august,.. and I thought, they got to be kidding?!

So here I am, a day away from October, and still need an eye check!

DooDad

Wow - that's a long time to wait for an appointment. Good luck!