Can radiation cause throat problems?

Swami7774
Swami7774 Member Posts: 24
edited December 2016 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

My wife just finished her second week of radiation therapy. The radiated areas include several nodes between the breast and her throat. The last few days she has complained of a sore throat; a raw feeling, and a sense that she's parched. An instant strep test came back negative. She's worried that the radiation might be harming her throat. Is this possible? She is starting Week 3 tomorrow and is supposed to meet with the radiologist.

Advice is greatly appreciated.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited December 2016

    yes, my rads field included supraclavicular nodes, and they do hit the throat. I had a sore throat during rads. I am a year out now, and it's better, but I have heartburn and GERD issues, so that coupled with rads, and GI doc scheduled endoscopy to see if it caused damage.

    I hope your wife is feeling better

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  • Swami7774
    Swami7774 Member Posts: 24
    edited December 2016

    Two days ago the radiologist adjusted the direction of the rays, directing them away from the throat area. The subsequent sessions went much better.

    Others who've been through this told us that radiation, compared to chemo, would be "a snap." That hasn't been my wife's experience.

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  • stephincanada
    stephincanada Member Posts: 228
    edited December 2016

    I am also having my superclavicular nodes radiated and have a sore, burning throat. Kbee, was there anything you found that soothed your throat?

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited December 2016

    Swami, I breezed through chemos and surgeries . Unlike most people, Rads was one of the worst experiences of my life. I burned horribly and had big areas of moist desquamation. Because my mastectomy was 2 years prior, I had a lot of nerve regeneration, so the pain was horrible. Thankfully, I did recover quickly. I hope your wife's experience is better than mine. Silvadene cream and Mepilex dressings helped immensely, and I wore tank tops even in cold weather.

    Steph, I made smoothies constantly, and ate/drank crushed ice a lot to numb things. Hoping your throat gets better

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  • TarheelMichelle
    TarheelMichelle Member Posts: 871
    edited December 2016

    The radiation oncologist can prescribe liquids to soothe the throat. Carafate helped me.

    I had radiation to my upper spine, and my throat/esophagus felt burned from my throat to my belly.

    I was told I might have "mild esophagitis" for weeks. It lasted 6 months. Was unable to eat any "thick" foods such as meat or raw vegetables

    Beware of smoothies and milkshakes made only from milk, yogurt and fruit; they do not contain adequate nutrition and you will feel weak. My RO recommended supplements like Boost, but I read the labels and was not impressed. Some liquid supplements contain corn syrup -- yuk. It's not too hard to find healthy vegetable juices at grocery stores like Whole Foods. (Get the ones made fresh, for highest vitamin content.)

    Complain to your doctor about lack of information. Honestly, why can't patients get straight answers?

    My radiation oncologist downplayed damage from radiation near my throat. I can no longer do strenuous exercise. It has been discussed elsewhere, by other posters, that radiation oncologists seem more removed from reality than other oncologists.

    Swami, I hope your wife heals quickly. Bless you for seeking help for her pain.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited December 2016

    I agree with above. My radiation oncologist downplayed everything and refused to answer questions. I would have advocated better for myself and been more assertive if I had to do it again

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  • Swami7774
    Swami7774 Member Posts: 24
    edited December 2016

    Fortunately my wife was very assertive. A few days after she felt throat pain she saw the RA, demanded answers and got some. They've adjusted the angles on her treatment and the throat pain is receding(slowly). The RA was amazed as her "self awareness." Well, somebody has to be.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited December 2016

    Your wife might want to ask her Dr if the radiation might have 'hit' her thyroid. And/Or if she had her tonsils out before the mid 60's (sorry I don't know how young she is), did she have radiation to her throat after the removal. Up until the middle '60's it was quite common after a tonsillectomy to have radiation to the throat area to supposedly prevent them from growing back. (It didn't work for me - my tonsils grew back and I still have them today.). I have been told by several Drs that if you had post tonsillectomy radiation, you are more likely to develops thyroid issues as time goes on. So my thhroid has somewhat been monitored all my life with no problems. That is until about a yr after rads when it 'slowed down' - no biggy, a pill handles it.

    I have been told that the amount of people who had had radiation after tonsilectomies may have something to do with there being more people as we get older who do develope thyroid issues. Also that many do not know that they had had radiation after tonsillectomy - Mom made sure I knew as I was too young to have possibly remembered as I was about 18 months old at the time.

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