Long-Term Effects of Radiation to Audio Area of Skull

The long term effects of radiation to the audio area of the skull can result in radiation-induced hearing loss. Generally this is caused by radiation therapy of a tumor that is in the same region of the brain as the inner and middle ear. Hearing loss is often delayed with no noticeable loss of hearing within the first month of treatment, but with a 50 percent hearing loss within the first year of treatment. Another effect of radiation on the skull is radiation-induced craniofacial bone growth inhibition or when the face and skull bones fail to develop properly. This generally occurs in children being treated for head and neck cancers.

Other Effects of Radiation to Ear Area

• Some effects of radiation to the ear area are earache, tinnitus and ear canal necrosis. If any of these symptoms develop consult your doctor.

Benefits of Radiation Treatment

• A major benefit of radiation treatment is a lower mortality rate than surgical procedures. Radiation treatment is non-invasive, allowing selective destruction of cancer cells.

How Does Radiation Therapy Work?

• Radiation therapy uses a certain type of high energy beam to kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA. Two ways to deliver radiation are through pellets or beams. Pellets are placed inside the body around the cancer area. Beams are deliver by a machine called a linear accelerator and deliver radiation from outside the body.

Misconceptions

• Radiation therapy is not painful; however, it has been known for the skin around the effected area to become dry and sore. Radiation therapy does not cause vomiting or nausea. More likely it is stress and anxiety that causes these symptoms as well as certain medications used in connection with radiation therapy. Radiation therapy does not increase your chances of other cancers.

Some Key Points of Radiation Treatment

• Radiation is selective and targeted. You may feel tired during treatment, this can last for the duration of your treatment. Most side effects are temporary. Radiation treatment can greatly reduce the chance of cancer after surgery.