Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome: Functional Impairments in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors

Radiation therapy plays a critical role in treating head and neck cancers, but it can also lead to lasting late effects that impact quality of life long after treatment ends. One of the most common of these is Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome (RFS) — a chronic condition caused by radiation-induced damage to soft tissues, nerves, and lymphatic structures.

In fact, research has shown that 97% of head and neck cancer survivors develop some degree of lymphedema and/or fibrosis following treatment.¹ Understanding these risks and recognizing symptoms early is key to improving long-term outcomes.

Watch the above video, where Dr. Michael Stubblefield describes radiation late effects (i.e., radiation fibrosis syndrome; RFS) commonly seen in head and neck cancer survivors. Key moments in the video include:

• Factors that contribute to RFS.
• How RFS presents in the clinic.
• The role of LE in the development of RFS.

¹ Ridner, S.H., et al., A Prospective Study of the Lymphedema and Fibrosis Continuum in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer. Lymphat Res Biol, 2016. 14(4):198-205.