what are the effects of radiation treatment

What are the advantages and disadvantages of radiation therapy?

7 rows · Radiation not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells, it can also affect nearby healthy ...

What are the adverse effects of radiation therapy?

Common general side effects of radiation therapy Fatigue. Fatigue is feeling tired physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s very common for people with cancer and... Skin problems. Your skin in the radiation treatment area might look red, irritated, …

How long does it take to recover from radiation treatment?

Common physical side effects of radiation therapy include: Skin changes. Some people who receive radiation therapy experience dryness, itching, blistering, or peeling. These side effects depend on which part of the body received radiation therapy and other factors. Skin changes from radiation therapy usually go away a few weeks after treatment ends.

How bad is radiation treatment?

Fatigue is common during radiation therapy and may last for several weeks after treatment ends. Fatigue is mainly a short-term problem, but for some, it can persist [ 10-11 ]. You may feel like you don’t have any energy and may feel tired all of the time. Resting may not help.

What are the most common side effects of radiation therapy?

The most common early side effects are fatigue (feeling tired) and skin changes. Other early side effects usually are related to the area being treated, such as hair loss and mouth problems when radiation treatment is given to this area. Late side effects can take months or even years to develop.Dec 10, 2020

What does radiation treatment do to your body?

At high doses, radiation therapy kills cancer cells or slows their growth by damaging their DNA. Cancer cells whose DNA is damaged beyond repair stop dividing or die. When the damaged cells die, they are broken down and removed by the body. Radiation therapy does not kill cancer cells right away.Jan 8, 2019

What are the disadvantages of radiation therapy?

The disadvantages of radiation therapy include:damage to surrounding tissues (e.g. lung, heart), depending on how close the area of interest is located to the tumor.inability to kill tumor cells that cannot be seen on imaging scans and are therefore not always included on the 3D models (e.g. in near-by lymph nodes.More items...

How long does it take to recover from radiation therapy?

Side effects can happen any time during, immediately after or a few days or weeks after radiation therapy. Most side effects generally go away within a few weeks to 2 months of finishing treatment.

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

Is radiation worse than chemotherapy?

Since radiation therapy is focused on one area of your body, you may experience fewer side effects than with chemotherapy. However, it may still affect healthy cells in your body.Mar 27, 2020

What are 5 harmful effects of radiation?

Radiation Effects on HumansDose (rem)Effects5-20Possible late effects; possible chromosomal damage.20-100Temporary reduction in white blood cells.100-200Mild radiation sickness within a few hours: vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue; reduction in resistance to infection.4 more rows

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

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.

What time of day is best for radiation therapy?

New research from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, to be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2019 in Atlanta, reports that administering radiation treatments in the morning as opposed to later in the day can significantly reduce severity of mucositis and its related ...Mar 30, 2019

Does radiation affect 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

Does radiation shorten your life?

"Rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells, are more affected by radiation therapy than normal cells. The body may respond to this damage with fibrosis or scarring, though this is generally a mild process and typically does not cause any long-term problems that substantially affect quality of life."

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...

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 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 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.

What are the side effects of radiation therapy?

Head and neck. Radiation therapy aimed at a person’s head or neck may cause these side effects: Dry mouth. Mouth and gum sores.

How long do side effects of radiation last?

Other people experience more severe side effects. Reactions to the radiation therapy often start during the second or third week of treatment. Or, they may last for several weeks after the final treatment. Some side effects may be long term.

Why do people use radiation therapy?

High doses of radiation therapy are used to destroy cancer cells. Side effects come from damage to healthy cells and tissues near the treatment area. There have been major research advances in radiation therapy in recent years that have made it more precise.

How long does it take for a radiation reaction to show up?

Typically, these side effects start within days or weeks of radiation therapy. But they can also appear months or years later. Doctors treat radiation recall with medications called corticosteroids.

What is radiation recall?

Radiation recall is a rash that looks like a severe sunburn. It is rare and happens when certain types of chemotherapy are given during or soon after external-beam radiation therapy. The rash appears on the part of the body that received radiation.

What is the best way to treat cancer side effects?

Preventing and treating side effects is an important part of your overall cancer treatment. This is called palliative care or supportive care. Before treatment begins, ask what side effects are likely from the specific type of treatment you are receiving and when they may happen.

What is the term for the development of a second cancer?

These are called long-term or late effects. One possible late effect is the development of a second cancer. This is a new type of cancer that develops because of the original cancer treatment. The risk of this late effect is low. And the risk is often smaller than the benefit of treating the first cancer.

How long after radiation therapy do side effects occur?

Rare long-term side effects. Although rare with modern treatment, the side effects below may occur a few months or years after radiation therapy.

How long does it take for side effects to go away after radiation?

Once radiation therapy ends, short-term side effects will mostly go away within 2 weeks [ 9 ]. Let your radiation oncologist or nurse know how the sessions are making you feel. They may be able to recommend creams or other interventions ...

How to contact Komen for breast cancer?

If you or a loved one needs more information about breast health or breast cancer, call the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636).

How to treat lymphedema in breast?

The chances of getting lymphedema are greater if your treatment includes both [ 5,15-18 ]: 1 Removal of axillary nodes during breast cancer surgery (the more nodes removed, the greater the risk) 2 Radiation therapy to the axillary or supraclavicular (above the collarbone) lymph nodes

What to do if you have anxiety about radiation?

Your provider may be able to suggest a hospital social worker, patient navigator, psychologist or support group to help ease anxiety related to radiation therapy (or breast cancer).

What is the term for a condition in which fluid collects in the arm, causing it to swell

Lymphedema. People who have radiation therapy to the lymph nodes in the collarbone or underarm area (axillary nodes) or who have axillary nodes removed may develop lymphedema. Lymphedema is a condition in which fluid collects in the arm, causing it to swell. Swelling may also occur in the breast, chest or back.

How long does fatigue last after radiation?

Fatigue. Fatigue is common during radiation therapy and may last for several weeks after treatment ends. Fatigue is mainly a short-term problem, but for some, it can persist [ 10-11 ]. You may feel like you don’t have any energy and may feel tired all of the time. Resting may not help.

How long does it take for a side effect to show up after radiation?

When to contact your doctor. If long-term side effects occur, they typically develop within two to three years of treatment. It is rare for a symptom to pop up eight to 10 years later. If you experience one of these symptoms, contact your primary care physician or radiation oncologist.

What is radiation oncology?

Radiation oncologists are trained to deliver the right dose of radiation to the right body part on the correct schedule. They work to minimize side effects and limit overall radiation exposure so you can receive the correct dose of radiation to sterilize cancer cells while minimizing the effects on your normal, healthy cells.

Can radiation therapy help cancer patients?

We can treat cancer cells that remain even after chemotherapy or surgery, or shrink tumors before surgery or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is capable of helping someone who could have died from cancer and giving them their life back.".

Is radiation therapy bad for cancer?

Long-term side effects of radiation therapy. If you have undergone radiation therapy (radiotherapy) for cancer treatment, it is normal to have concerns about potential long-term side effects. Fortunately, not everyone experiences side effects and for those who do, side effects are rarely serious.

Can radiation cause long term side effects?

Your risk of long-term side effects may increase with the amount of radiation you receive. Some people have a rare inherited disease that causes them to heal poorly from radiotherapy.

Is a breast treated or untreated?

The treated breast may be slightly smaller and firmer than the untreated breast, though this is rarely noticeable, even in a bathing suit or bra. Head or neck: A change in the pH of saliva, allowing a new breed of bacteria to grow that can damage tooth enamel and make you more susceptible to cavities.

Who is Adam Nowlan?

Adam Nowlan, M.D., a radiation oncologist at Piedmont, shares the overall benefits of radiotherapy, the most common signs to watch for after treatment and when to see your doctor.