Researchers have discovered why patients undergoing radiotherapy for throat cancer suffered nausea during their treatment and have helped redesign the therapy in an attempt to stop the problem.
A team at the University of Hong Kong found that patients with nasopharyngeal cancer - which affects the highest part of the throat, where it connects to the nasal cavity - felt nauseous because of high doses of radiation hitting the vestibules of the ear. The vestibular system concerns balance and spatial orientation, and problems with the vestibules cause motion sickness.
About 40 per cent of nasopharyngeal cancer patients suffered from nausea or vomiting because of radiotherapy, said Dr Victor Lee Ho-fun, an assistant professor at the university.
There could be multiple reasons for such symptoms, including chemotherapy treatment, but the team set out to help those suffering only because of the side effects of radiotherapy.
'There was little previous research in this field, as some may think vomiting is no big deal. But vomiting affects the patient's appetite, and thus his health,' Lee said.
The five-year project studied 49 nasopharyngeal cancer patients aged between 27 and 91 who received radiotherapy but not chemotherapy.