Nafaa Mourad, Lahlou Mamoun, Miqdadi Amal, Noussair Mostapha, Lahcen Belyamani
Emergency Department, Cheikh Khalifa International University Hospital, Casablanca, MAR.
Faculty of Medicine, Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences, Casablanca, MAR.
Cureus. 2025 Jul 29;17(7):e88993. doi: 10.7759/cureus.88993. eCollection 2025 Jul.
Radiotherapy is a crucial treatment modality for head and neck cancers, demonstrating significant efficacy in tumor control. However, its application can also lead to challenging complications, particularly due to late effects on healthy tissues. These complications arise from cellular damage, scar fibrosis development, and reduced local blood flow caused by radiation-induced vascular changes. Our patient's experience highlights the diverse range of complications, including trismus, hyposalivation, and visual impairments, commonly associated with radiotherapy in this context. Thus, while radiotherapy is indispensable in cancer management, proactive measures are essential to mitigate its adverse effects and optimize patient outcomes. This case aims to illustrate the possible severe late effects of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer, emphasizing the need for prolonged surveillance and multidisciplinary management strategies to minimize functional sequelae and improve quality of life in long-term survivors.
放射治疗是头颈癌的一种关键治疗方式，在肿瘤控制方面显示出显著疗效。然而，其应用也可能导致具有挑战性的并发症，尤其是由于对健康组织的晚期影响。这些并发症源于细胞损伤、瘢痕纤维化形成以及辐射诱导的血管变化导致的局部血流减少。我们患者的经历凸显了在此背景下与放射治疗相关的各种并发症，包括牙关紧闭、唾液分泌减少和视力障碍。因此，虽然放射治疗在癌症管理中不可或缺，但采取积极措施减轻其不良影响并优化患者预后至关重要。本病例旨在说明鼻咽癌放射治疗可能产生的严重晚期影响，强调需要进行长期监测和多学科管理策略，以尽量减少功能后遗症并改善长期幸存者的生活质量。
