Radiotherapy for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

I underwent five weeks of radiation therapy consisting of 5 radiation treatments per week for a total of 25 treatments. The treatments were localized on my upper thorax and lower neck. Although the field of radiation treatments varied over the course of the treatments, it was generally focused in the same region as highlighted in the cross-section view of my neck and torso:

	1. The radiation chart shows the projected plan for radiation exposure. The colored lines show varying degrees of radiation exposure. Note the spinal cord in blue. This image shows a cross-section of my upper thoracic region where the trachea resection occurred.
	2. Side view of me receiving radiation therapy; the radiation field marks are indicated by blue crosses taped to the mask. The mask ensures the patient does not move during radiotherapy.
	3. Another view of the radiation therapy room at the University of Virginia oncology center.
	4. This view of the radiation mask shows the projected radiation beam targets on the tape marked with blue. The bottom of the resection incision is marked by a blue cross on my sternum.
Back Front	5. The two photos to the left show the extent of blistering caused by radiation therapy on my back. While we expected blistering on the front where the beam was directed, we didn't expect blistering on the back. There was some surface pain associated with the blistering caused by the radiation.