Radiation from these treatments sometimes damages the nervous system, despite the best efforts to prevent damage. Whether damage occurs and how severe it is depend on several factors: How much radiation is given over the entire course of treatment (total cumulative dose) How much radiation is given in each dose How long the treatments are given
Does radiation therapy cause damage to the nervous system?
Radiation from these treatments sometimes damages the nervous system, despite the best efforts to prevent damage. Whether damage occurs and how severe it is depend on several factors: Giving radiation therapy each day tends to increase its effectiveness and to reduce damage to normal tissue.
What happens during a radiation treatment?
During Your Treatment. You will not see or feel the radiation, but you may hear the machine as it moves around you and is turned on and off. You will be in the treatment room for 15 to 90 minutes, depending on your treatment plan. Most of this time will be spent putting you in the correct position.
What to know about radiation therapy to the brain?
Radiation Therapy to the Brain 1 About Radiation Therapy to the Brain. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to treat cancer. 2 Your Role on Your Radiation Therapy Team. You will have a team of healthcare providers working... 3 Simulation. Before you begin your treatment, you will have a treatment planning procedure called...
Do you have any neurological symptoms after radiation therapy?
You may have all, some, or none of these. Radiation therapy to the brain may cause brain swelling. If you had neurological symptoms before you began radiation therapy, they could return, or you could have new symptoms. These symptoms may include: A headache that doesn’t go away after taking acetaminophen (Tylenol ®)
Can radiation cause nervous system problems?
Radiation therapy to the brain or spinal cord can damage the central nervous system. Radiation to the head and neck or the whole body can cause peripheral nerve damage.
Does radiation treatment damage nerves?
Surgery and radiation therapy can also cause nerve damage that leads to PN. But the most common cause is chemotherapy. Certain kinds of chemo can damage nerves.
Can you get nerve damage from radiotherapy?
Rarely, radiotherapy may damage nerves in the treated area. This can cause symptoms such as numbness and weakness. These may develop months or years after treatment. In some types of cancer, the body may make substances that damage peripheral nerves.
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.
What are the symptoms of nerve damage?
The signs of nerve damageNumbness or tingling in the hands and feet.Feeling like you're wearing a tight glove or sock.Muscle weakness, especially in your arms or legs.Regularly dropping objects that you're holding.Sharp pains in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.A buzzing sensation that feels like a mild electrical shock.
What are the long-term side effects of radiation?
Radiation to the brain can also have side effects that show up later – usually from 6 months to many years after treatment ends. These delayed effects can include serious problems such as memory loss, stroke-like symptoms, and poor brain function.
Does radiation affect neuropathy?
Radiation-induced peripheral neuropathy is a chronic handicap, frightening because progressive and usually irreversible, usually appearing several years after radiotherapy. Its occurrence is rare but increasing with improved long-term cancer survival.
Can neuropathy nerve damage be reversed?
While you can't reverse the damage from neuropathy, there are ways to help manage the condition, including: lowering your blood sugar. treating nerve pain. regularly checking your feet to make sure they are free of injury, wounds, or infection.
Does radiation affect your muscles?
Radiation treatment can make your muscles and soft tissues (for example, ligaments and skin) stiff and tight. This condition is called radiation induced fibrosis. When your muscles are not moving properly they can cause pain or limit movement in other parts of your body.
What are 5 harmful effects of radiation?
Here are a few common health effects or harmful effects of radiation on the human body.Hair. Loss of hair fall occurs when exposure to radiation is higher than 200 rems.Heart and Brain. Intense exposure to radiation from 1000 to 5000 rems will affect the functioning of the heart. ... Thyroid. ... Blood System. ... Reproductive Tract.
What are the worst side effects of radiotherapy?
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 should you not do during radiation?
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.
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 is radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy is one component in the treatment of tumors of the nervous system. It is directed at the general area (such as the whole head) when people have several tumors or a tumor that does not have distinct borders. When the tumor has distinct borders, therapy can be directed specifically at the tumor.
What are the symptoms of radiation?
Symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and confusion. Acute encephalopathy usually begins shortly after the first or second dose of radiation is given. Usually, symptoms diminish as radiation treatments continue. Corticosteroids such as dexamethasone may help prevent or reduce cerebral edema.
How long does radiation therapy last?
How much radiation is given over the entire course of treatment (total cumulative dose) Giving radiation therapy given over several days to several weeks increases its effectiveness and reduces damage to normal tissue. Symptoms can remain the same or worsen and can be temporary or permanent.
Why is radiation therapy avoided in children?
For most other tumors, radiation therapy is avoided in children because some organs and tissues including the brain, are more sensitive to radiation than in adults. Thus, damage due to radiation therapy is more likely. Symptoms of late-delayed radiation damage can include progressively worsening dementia, memory loss, difficulty thinking, ...
Can radiation damage the brain?
Radiation therapy, used to treat brain and spinal cord tumors, can damage the brain and spinal cord. If radiation is directed at the spine in the neck or upper back , early-delayed radiation myelopathy may develop. This disorder sometimes causes a sensation similar to an electric shock.
Does dexamethasone help with cerebral edema?
Corticosteroids such as dexamethasone may help prevent or reduce cerebral edema. Early-delayed radiation damage can cause symptoms similar to those of acute encephalopathy. Symptoms of early-delayed damage may develop in children when whole-brain radiation therapy is used to treat leukemia.
Can radiation cause dementia?
Symptoms of late-delayed radiation damage can include progressively worse ning dementia , memory loss, difficulty thinking, personality changes, and unsteadiness in walking. Radiation directed at tumors near the spine may damage the spinal cord itself. When it does, late-delayed myelopathy may develop.
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.
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 ...
How long does it take for radiation to show up in the brain?
Radiation to the brain can also have side effects that show up later – usually from 6 months to many years after treatment ends. These delayed effects can include serious problems such as memory loss, stroke-like symptoms, and poor brain function.
What is the most common drug used for radiation therapy?
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. Not all doctors agree on how these drugs should be used in radiation therapy. These drugs have their own side effects, too, so be sure you understand what to look for.
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.
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 to take care of your mouth during radiation?
Here are some tips that may help you manage mouth problems: Avoid spicy and rough foods, such as raw vegetables, dry crackers, and nuts.
How does radiation therapy work?
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to treat cancer. It works by damaging the cancer cells and making it hard for them to reproduce. Your body then is naturally able to get rid of these damaged cancer cells. Radiation therapy also affects normal cells.
What happens to your hair during radiation?
During radiation therapy, your skin and hair in the area being treated may change. This may include your forehead, ears, and back of your neck. This is normal. Ask your nurse to point out the areas of your skin and scalp that will be affected.
What is the phone number to call for radiation therapy?
After 5:00 pm, during the weekend, and on holidays, call 212-639-2000 and ask for the radiation oncologist on call. If you have any questions or concerns, talk with a member of your radiation therapy team. You can reach them Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
How long does radiation treatment last?
Radiation treatments may be given Monday through Friday. For some people, the treatment is given in just one day. For other people, the treatment is given over a number of weeks. Your schedule is based on what your doctor recommends.
How do steroids help with brain tumors?
Steroids reduce brain swelling from the tumor itself or from the effects of radiation therapy . Take steroids only as directed by your doctor. You dose may be changed as needed during your treatment. When your doctor decides it’s safe, you’ll be given a schedule to gradually reduce the dose of the medication.
How to quit smoking after radiation?
Telling your doctor or nurse if you’re in pain. Caring for yourself at home: Quitting smoking, if you smoke. If you want to quit, call our Tobacco Treatment Program at 212-610-0507. Following your radiation therapy team’s instructions to care of your skin.
Can radiation cause brain swelling?
Radiation therapy to the brain may cause brain swelling. If you had neurological symptoms before you began radiation therapy, they could return, or you could have new symptoms. These symptoms may include:
How Does Cancer Treatment Affect the Immune System?
Chemotherapy (chemo) and radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) kill cancer cells. The problem is, they also kill rapidly dividing healthy cells.
How Strong Is Your Immune System After Cancer Treatment?
After chemo and radiation, your immune system can stay suppressed for several months.
Ways to Support Your Immune System After Chemo and Radiotherapy
After chemo and/or radiation it’s important to protect yourself from infection. You can do this by: 2
When to Seek Professional Treatment
It’s important to get treatment for illness or infection right away. Symptoms to watch for include: 7
Summary
Chemotherapy kills fast-growing cells, which includes many healthy cells, along with cancer cells. Bone marrow cells are frequently damaged and unable to produce white blood cells. This hampers your immune system.
A Word From Verywell
More people are surviving and thriving after cancer all the time. Once you beat the disease, though, you can’t let up your guard. Impaired immunity can pose a real threat.