At some point during radiation therapy, you may feel:
- Anxious
- Depressed
- Afraid
- Angryv
- Frustrated
- Helpless
- Alone
What to expect during and after radiation treatments?
Many people experience fatigue, sensitive skin at the site of radiation exposure, and emotional distress during radiation therapy. It is important to rest and take care of yourself during radiation therapy. Consider these ways to care of yourself: Plan for extra rest. Eat a balanced diet.
How long does it take to heal after radiation therapy?
Your skin in the radiation treatment area might look red, irritated, swollen, blistered, sunburned, or tanned. After a few weeks, your skin might become dry, flaky, or itchy, or it may peel. This is sometimes called radiation dermatitis. It’s important to …
How long does it take to recover from radiation treatment?
How can I cope with my feelings during radiation therapy? Relax and meditate. You might try thinking of yourself in a favorite place, breathing slowly while paying attention to each breath, or listening to ... Exercise. Many people find that light exercise (such …
How long does radiation stay in your body after treatment?
Jan 08, 2019 · You are likely to feel well enough to work when you first start your radiation treatments. As time goes on, do not be surprised if you are more tired, have less energy, or feel weak. Once you have finished treatment, it may take just a few weeks for you to feel better—or it could take months.
What can you not do during radiation treatment?
Avoid raw vegetables and fruits, and other hard, dry foods such as chips or pretzels. It's also best to avoid salty, spicy or acidic foods if you are experiencing these symptoms. Your care team can recommend nutrient-based oral care solutions if you are experiencing mucositis or mouth sores caused by cancer treatment.Nov 8, 2021
How long does it take to feel normal after radiation?
Radiation therapy is associated with harsh side effects, many of which don't emerge until months or years after treatment. Acute side effects occur and disappear within 14 days of treatment, but long-term effects like bone degeneration, skin ulcers, and bladder irritation take much longer to manifest.
Is radiation therapy painful?
Does radiation therapy hurt? No, radiation therapy does not hurt while it is being given. But the side effects that people may get from radiation therapy can cause pain and discomfort. This booklet has a lot of information about ways that you and your doctor and nurse can help manage side effects.
Can you feel the effects of radiation?
Treatment areas and possible side effectsPart of the body being treatedPossible side effectsBrainFatigue Hair loss Memory or concentration problems Nausea and vomiting Skin changes Headache Blurry visionBreastFatigue Hair loss Skin changes Swelling (edema) Tenderness5 more rows•Jan 11, 2022
What does radiation fatigue feel like?
Fatigue is feeling tired physically, mentally, and emotionally. It's very common for people with cancer and often happens with radiation therapy. Most people start to feel tired after a few weeks of radiation therapy. This happens because radiation treatments destroy some healthy cells as well as the cancer cells.Dec 10, 2020
Which is worse chemo or radiation?
A systemic treatment like chemotherapy or liquid radiation may have more off-target side effects than a local treatment. But local treatments that are administered only to the cancer site, like external beam radiation or solid internal radiation treatment, may have more extreme side effects in that area of the body.Sep 25, 2021
Do tumors grow back after radiation?
Normal cells close to the cancer can also become damaged by radiation, but most recover and go back to working normally. If radiotherapy doesn't kill all of the cancer cells, they will regrow at some point in the future.Jul 6, 2020
Can you work during radiation treatment?
Radiation. You should be able to work while receiving radiation treatments. While your radiation schedule will usually be 5 days a week for 5 to 7 weeks, the appointments are generally short. Treatment centers work efficiently so that the process only takes 15 to 30 minutes.Jan 21, 2022
What is the success rate of radiation therapy?
When it comes to early stages of disease, patients very frequently do well with either brachytherapy or external beam radiation. Success rates of around 90% or higher can be achieved with either approach.Oct 25, 2016
Does radiation lower your immune system?
Radiation therapy can potentially affect your immune system, especially if a significant amount of bone marrow is being irradiated because of its role in creating white blood cells. However, this doesn't typically suppress the immune system enough to make you more susceptible to infections.Jan 22, 2020
Can you drive after radiotherapy?
Radiotherapy can make people feel tired afterwards, which could preclude you from driving. Generally it is recommended to get a friend or family member to drive you to and from your first appointment to see how your body reacts.
What is the most common acute side effect of radiation treatment?
Fatigue is the most common acute side effect of radiation therapy. It is believed to be caused by the large amount of energy that is used by the body to heal itself in response to radiation therapy. Most people begin to feel fatigued about 2 weeks after radiation treatments begin.
If You’Re Getting Radiation Therapy to The Brain
People with brain tumors often get stereotactic radiosurgery (radiation given in one large dose) if the cancer is in only one or a few sites in the...
If You’Re Getting Radiation Therapy to The Head Or Neck
People who get radiation to the head and neck might have side effects such as: 1. Soreness (or even open sores) in the mouth or throat 2. Dry mouth...
If You’Re Getting Radiation Therapy to The Breast
If you have radiation to the breast, it can affect your heart or lungs as well causing other side effects.
If You’Re Getting Radiation Therapy to The Chest
Radiation treatment to the chest may cause side effects such as: 1. Sore throat 2. Swallowing problems 3. Loss of appetite 4. Cough 5. Shortness of...
If You’Re Getting Radiation Therapy to The Abdomen (Belly)
If you are getting radiation to your stomach or some part of the abdomen (belly), you may have side effects such as: 1. Nausea 2. Vomiting 3. Belly...
If You’Re Having Radiation Therapy to The Pelvis
Radiation therapy to the pelvis (for example, as treatment for bladder, ovarian, or prostate cancer) can cause side effects such as: 1. Bladder pro...
What happens if you get radiation treatment?
After a few weeks, your skin might become dry, flaky, or itchy, or it may peel. This is sometimes called radiation dermatitis.
How long does it take for side effects to show up after radiation?
Some side effects might show up quickly, but others might not show up until 1 to 2 years after treatment. Talk with your radiation oncologist about what to watch for and when to call your doctor. If the cancer is in many areas, sometimes the whole brain is treated with radiation.
What is the best treatment for radiation?
One way to reduce side effects is by using radioprotective drugs, but these are only used for certain types of radiation given to certain parts of the body. These drugs are given before radiation treatment to protect certain normal tissues in the treatment area. The one most commonly used today is amifostine. This drug may be used in people with head and neck cancer to reduce the mouth problems caused by radiation therapy.
How long does radiation side effects last?
Remember that the type of radiation side effects you might have depends on the prescribed dose and schedule. Most side effects go away within a few months of ending treatment. Some side effects may continue after treatment ends because it takes time for the healthy cells to recover from radiation. Side effects might limit your ability ...
What are the side effects of brachytherapy?
If your treatment includes brachytherapy (internal radiation implants), you might notice breast tenderness, tightness, redness, and bruising. You may also have some of the same side effects that happen with external radiation treatment.
How long does it take for radiation to cause side effects?
Late side effects can take months or even years to develop. They can occur in any normal tissue in the body that has received radiation. The risk of late side effects depends on the area treated as well as the radiation dose that was used. Careful treatment planning can help avoid serious long-term side effects.
Can radiation therapy cause low blood count?
Rarely, radiation therapy can cause changes in your blood count levels. These blood cells help your body fight infection and prevent bleeding. If your blood tests show low blood counts, your treatment might be stopped for a week or so to allow your blood counts to return to normal. This side effect is more likely if you’re also getting chemotherapy.
How to deal with feelings of depression?
There are many things you can do to cope with your feelings during treatment. Here are some things that have worked for other people: Relax and meditate. You might try thinking of yourself in a favorite place, breathing slowly while paying attention to each breath, or listening to soothing music .
How to make someone feel better?
Exercise . Many people find that light exercise (such as walking, biking, yoga, or water aerobics) helps them feel better. Talk with your doctor or nurse about types of exercise that you can do. Talk with others. Talk about your feelings with someone you trust.
What is cancer support group?
Cancer support groups are meetings for people with cancer. These groups allow you to meet others facing the same problems. You will have a chance to talk about your feelings and listen to other people talk about theirs. You can learn how others cope with cancer, radiation therapy, and side effects.
Is radiation therapy stressful?
Your Feelings During Radiation Therapy. It is normal to have these kinds of feelings. Living with cancer and going through treatment is stressful. You may also feel fatigue, which can make it harder to cope with these feelings. Having cancer and going through treatment is stressful.
What is radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy is used to treat cancer and ease cancer symptoms. When used to treat cancer, radiation therapy can cure cancer, prevent it from returning, or stop or slow its growth. When treatments are used to ease symptoms, they are known as palliative treatments.
How does radiation help cancer?
When radiation is combined with surgery, it can be given: 1 Before surgery, to shrink the size of the cancer so it can be removed by surgery and be less likely to return. 2 During surgery, so that it goes straight to the cancer without passing through the skin. Radiation therapy used this way is called intraoperative radiation. With this technique, doctors can more easily protect nearby normal tissues from radiation. 3 After surgery to kill any cancer cells that remain.
What are the two types of radiation?
There are two main types of radiation therapy, external beam and internal . The type of radiation therapy that you may have depends on many factors, including: The type of cancer. The size of the tumor. The tumor’s location in the body. How close the tumor is to normal tissues that are sensitive to radiation.
How long does it take for cancer cells to die from radiation?
It takes days or weeks of treatment before DNA is damaged enough for cancer cells to die. Then, cancer cells keep dying for weeks or months after radiation therapy ends.
What is external beam radiation therapy?
External Beam Radiation Therapy. External beam radiation therapy comes from a machine that aims radiation at your cancer. The machine is large and may be noisy. It does not touch you, but can move around you, sending radiation to a part of your body from many directions.
Does radiation therapy cause cancer?
Radiation Therapy Can Cause Side Effects. Radiation not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells, it can also affect nearby healthy cells. Damage to healthy cells can cause side effects. Learn more about the side effects of radiation therapy.
What is brachytherapy in cancer?
Like external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy is a local treatment and treats only a specific part of your body.
How do you know if you are tired after radiation?
Feeling tired or lethargic throughout the day . Exhaustion (this feeling lasts longer than being tired, is more intense and isn't relieved by rest). Reduced energy.
What are the side effects of radiation therapy?
Things like nausea, diarrhea, and hair loss usually catch a person's attention first because they seem to be the worst. While these are side effects that can be difficult to tolerate, ...
What happens if you sleep too much?
Too much sleep can result in more fatigue and restless nighttime sleeping. Rest when you need it. If you begin to feel tired, stop and take a few moments to rest to recharge your batteries. Resting can mean taking a short power nap or just sitting in a relaxing place and taking time out for yourself.
How to sleep when you have cancer?
Get enough sleep. Getting a good night's rest is essential for everyone, not just people with cancer. If you have trouble sleeping at night, try to limit how often or how long you are napping during the day. Too much sleep can result in more fatigue and restless nighttime sleeping. Rest when you need it.
Does caffeine help with cancer?
They are loaded with sugar and caffeine, which may give you a boost, but not enough to last the day. Like other caffeinated beverages, they may increase fatigue after you come down from the caffeine/sugar rush. Exercise when you feel you can. Studies show that exercise can increase energy in people with cancer.
How to get rid of nausea and vomiting?
Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and eating enough fruits and vegetables, which are high in water content. If you are experiencing nausea, try drinking water at room temperature—it may be easier to tolerate.
Can you take OTC for fatigue?
There can be underlying medical reasons for fatigue, such as anemia, that may need to be addressed. Unfortunately, there is no medication, pre scription or OTC, that treats fatigue, but your doctor may be able to determine what is contributing to fatigue and offer solutions specific to your situation.
How does art therapy help you?
Art therapists, who are specially trained in this kind of therapy, can guide and support you in creating art that can reduce anxiety and help you relax.
How to get rid of stress during a therapist?
Try your best to stay active with some sort of physical activity, even if it’s simply taking a short walk. For many people, physical activity can help you feel less stressed and tired during therapy. It’s important, however to listen to your body and only do what you are able.
Is stress bad for you?
Stress isn’t a bad thing in small doses. It’s a normal response to life’s changes, good and bad. It helps us decide how to react and adapt to new circumstances. But over time stress can take a toll on you, physically and mentally.
Is Cleveland Clinic a non profit?
And the benefits of using relaxation techniques can last long after your treatment ends. Advertising Policy. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center .
What happens to the body after radiation?
These problems happen when radiation damages your body. For example, scar tissue can affect the way your lungs or your heart works. Bladder, bowel, fertility, and sexual problems can start after radiation to your belly or pelvis. Another possible late effect is a second cancer.
How long do radiation side effects last?
There are two kinds of radiation side effects: early and late. Early side effects, such as nausea and fatigue, usually don’t last long. They may start during or right after treatment and last for several weeks after it ends, but then they get better.
How does radiation kill cancer?
Radioembolization. Cancer Caused by Radiation Therapy. Radiation therapy treats cancer by using high-energy waves to kill tumor cells. The goal is to destroy or damage the cancer without hurting too many healthy cells. This treatment can cause side effects, but they’re different for everyone. The ones you have depend on the type ...
Can radiation cause appetite loss?
Radiation therapy to the head, neck, or parts of the digestive system can make you lose your appetite. But it's important to keep eating a healthy diet while you’re having treatment to keep your body strong.
How long does it take for radiation to show up?
Late side effects, such as lung or heart problems, may take years to show up and are often permanent when they do. The most common early side effects are fatigue and skin problems. You might get others, such as hair loss and nausea, depending on where you get radiation.
How to get rid of fatigue from cancer?
Get plenty of rest, be as active as you can, and eat the right foods. Work with a counselor or take a class at your cancer treatment center to learn ways to conserve energy, reduce stress, and keep yourself from focusing on the fatigue. Save your energy for the activities that are most important to you.
Can radiation therapy make you tired?
The fatigue you feel from cancer and radiation therapy is different from other times you may have felt tired. It’s an exhaustion that doesn’t get better with rest and can keep you from doing the things you normally do, like going to work or spending time with family and friends.
