another list of side effects

******************************************************************************************* please read !!!!! No one will develope all of these symptoms. Every patient is different and treatment is custom tailored to each individual by their doctor(s). The effects you experience can vary depending on how and where primary disease is located, how and where it has spread (metastasis), and the type and level of agressiveness of treatment for each area, other preexisting medical conditions , and a billion other factors. the first rule of lists like this, is
DO NOT SCARE YOURSELF NEEDLESSLY.!!!!!!!
There was an earlier thread that listed every diverse and obscure symptom that any human has ever experienced, but it didn't distinguish when it is likely to develop, how long it might last, nor the medical terminology that would let you research it for yourself. this list is simply my humble attempt to add this important bit of information to an already good discussion topic . This list is nessessarily shorter than the original one, because each condition may cover more than one symptom.
Remember, i am not a doctor, nor did i stay at a holday inn express last night, so don't take this list as the last word on anything, but use it as a jumping off point, to do your own research on the net, or to get ideas on what to ask your doctor. I hope that this list helps you in some way. Tony
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1.Candidiasis- Also known as THRUSH (painful)can develope during or soon after treatment ends
2.dysgeusia- loss of taste(can be short term to permanent,and may be only partial.)

3.Dysphagia- difficulty swallowing (can be temporary during treatment to longer term or permanent)
4.radiation carries- demineralization of the teeth resulting in tooth damage and/or tooth loss. ( can become very serious.) may present itself after treatment ends and be ongoing.

5.esophageal strictures- abnormal narrowing of the esophagus

6.Stenosis- abnormal narrowing of the trachiea or other tubular organs or blood vessels

7.pancytopenia- low red and white blood cell and platelet counts.

8.Osteoradionecrosis- bone death due to radiation therapy,at any time after treatment - (very serious.)(danger exists for the rest of the patients life.)

9.mucositis- breakdown of the mucous membranes of the mouth and/or the entire digestive tract.(can occur during treatment, usually the risk of developing this condition ends after treatment stops.very painful.)

10. lymphedema- failure of the lymphatic system to drain properly resulting in fluid build up in the aflicted area.(very often the neck area lymphatic system can reroute itself and the swelling will go away.)occurs after lymph node removal.

11.headaches.

12. Short term Memory loss- can be temporary or permanent, moderate to severe.

13. l'hermitts sign - nerve pain (feeling of electric shock) during head movement, due to decreased flexability of nerves in the neck area.usually starts and ends within the first year after treatment.(aka l'hermitts syndrome).

14. hypothyroid-condition of underactive or inactive thyroid gland.(causes chronic fatigue, low tolerance to cold temperatures,mood swings,and a host of other side effects on its own.)not to be confused with hyperthyroid.

15. xerostomia- drymouth, can be moderate to severe, temporary or permanent, depending on the location of the treated area.

16. insomnia- inability to sleep properly.

17. constipation-i won't define that one.(usually gets better as soon as treatment stops)

18. hearing loss- can be moderate to severe. permanent. also ear infections can become more common due to scarring and narrowing of the ear canal, along with thicker than normal wax secretions.

19. hypertension- ( high blood pressure, possibly due to the psycologic impact of the cancer diagnosis and treatment.)permanent.

20. Peristaltic movement failure - the body's natural squeezing method of moving food and waste products through the digestive tract can be disrupted during treatment.

21."Brain, spinal cord or nerve damage causing alteration of thinking ability or memory, and/or loss of strength, feeling or coordination in any part of the body." "That is a direct quote from the written information we were given." *quote from the original thread.*

22. Decreased mobility of the head, neck, and shoulders. due to scaring from neck resection.

23. Radiation burns- similar to severe sunburn, goes away after treatment stops.

24. sun sensitivity- the head and neck area will be highly sensitive to sun exposure for the rest of the patients life. this leads to an increase in the likely hood of developing skin cancers in the affected areas.

25. Hair loss- ( mostly temporary) although in men some permanent facial hair loss can result .a few people have had permanent hair loss on the back of the scalp.

26. leukemia- One of the late radiation side effects- can occur 5 to 20 years later from bone marrow subjected to radiation during treatment.

27. weight loss- usually temporary, begins at the start of treatment and can continue for several weeks after treatment ends.

28. carotid artery rupture- very very unlikely, because of the care given not to compromise those areas during treatment.

29. loss of vision - vision can be affected, but in most cases it does not happen. It can be temporary or permanent.

30. Blisters in the mouth. They pop up during meals. may occur during or after treatment ends,usually stops occuring a month or so after treatment stops. uncommon.