what are the side effects of radiation treatment for breast cancer

Other long-term side effects of radiation for breast cancer include:

• Changes to the feel or size of the breast
• Difficulty breastfeeding
• Nerve damage that may lead to weakness, numbness or pain
• Damage to the lymph system resulting in lymphedema
• Bone weakness and fractures
• Damage to other organs exposed to radiation

Full Answer

What is radiation therapy best for breast cancer?

Types and schedules of external beam radiation for breast cancer

• Whole breast radiation. Radiation to the entire affected breast is called whole breast radiation. ...
• Accelerated partial breast irradiation. ...
• Chest wall radiation. ...
• Possible side effects of external beam radiation. ...

What are the long term effects of breast radiation?

• Increased, looser bowel movements
• Infertility (For patients in their childbearing years who wish to have children one day, there are options to preserve fertility prior to treatment.)
• Reduction in bladder capacity
• Vaginal dryness

What are the risks of breast cancer radiation?

• Overall: sHR, 1.16 (95% CI, 1.07-1.26)
• History of chemotherapy: sHR, 1.23 (95% CI, 1.11-1.38)
• Left-sided radiation: sHR, 1.29 (95% CI, 1.13-1.48)
• Endocrine therapy: sHR, 1.23 (95% CI, 1.12-1.34)

What causes breast pain after radiation therapy?

radiation therapy after surgery chemotherapy after surgery; Treatment side effects, including pain, are a problem for many women diagnosed with breast cancer. There are a number of reasons why someone might have continuing pain after surgery, including unavoidable tissue and nerve damage when the cancer and any lymph nodes are removed.

What are the most common side effects of radiation therapy for breast cancer?

The main short-term side effects of external beam radiation therapy to the breast are:Swelling in the breast.Skin changes in the treated area similar to a sunburn (redness, skin peeling, darkening of the skin)Fatigue.

How long do side effects from breast cancer radiation last?

Long term side effects. Most side effects gradually go away in the weeks or months after treatment. But some side effects can continue or might start some months or years later. Most of these side effects are rare.

What are the most common side effects of radiation therapy?

Early and late 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.

How long is a radiation treatment session for breast cancer?

Delivery of the radiation may last only a few minutes, but expect to spend 15 to 45 minutes for each session, as it can take several minutes to set you up in the exact same position each day.

Do you lose weight during radiation?

Many cancer patients lose weight unexpectedly during radiation therapy because they struggle with side effects caused from treatment. Maintaining proper nutrition during radiation therapy can increase your chances of successful treatment and improve your quality of life during and after treatment.

Is radiation worse than chemo?

The radiation beams change the DNA makeup of the tumor, causing it to shrink or die. This type of cancer treatment has fewer side effects than chemotherapy since it only targets one area of the body.

Does breast radiation weaken 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.

What are the disadvantages of radiation therapy?

What are the disadvantages? Radiotherapy can cause side effects, including tiredness, sickness and runny poo (diarrhoea). If you have chemoradiotherapy, you may get side effects from the chemotherapy.

What does radiation fatigue feel like?

Feeling very tired and lacking energy (fatigue) for day-to-day activities is the most common side effect of radiation therapy to any area of the body. During treatment, your body uses a lot of energy dealing with the effects of radiation on normal cells.

Is breast radiation painful?

The radiation treatment procedure is painless, but it may cause some skin discomfort over time. When treating early-stage breast cancer, radiation therapy is often given after surgery. Surgery is done to remove the cancer, and radiation is done to destroy any cancer cells that may remain after surgery.

What does a breast look like after radiation?

After radiotherapy, the skin of the breast may change colour. It may become darker with a blue or black tinge. It may also be more sensitive. It is important to protect the area from strong sunlight by covering up with clothes or using a sun cream with a high sun protection factor (SPF).

How many days a week is radiation therapy?

The total dose of external radiation therapy is usually divided into smaller doses called fractions. Most patients get radiation treatments daily, 5 days a week (Monday through Friday) for 5 to 8 weeks. Weekend rest breaks allow time for normal cells to recover.

What are the side effects of radiation?

These changes occur in the area being treated by the radiation. It’s similar to a sunburn, and can include: soreness. blisters. peeling. redness and itching. darkening of the skin.

What type of radiation is used for breast cancer?

There are two main types of radiation therapy for breast cancer: 1 external beam radiation 2 brachytherapy, or internal radiation

How to prepare for radiation therapy?

Talk with your doctor. Before starting radiation therapy, talk with your doctor about what to expect before, during, and after each therapy session. Ask them about possible side effects, how to reduce your risk of them, and best treatments. Knowing what to expect can reduce anxiety and help you be prepared. During and after radiation therapy, tell ...

What are the side effects of interstitial brachytherapy?

Side effects can include: redness at the treatment site. breast pain. infection. damage to fatty tissues. collection of fluid in the breast.

What is external beam radiation?

external beam radiation. brachytherapy, or internal radiation. Each type has several subtypes, mainly differing in how the radiation is delivered to the body. Your doctor will discuss the types of radiation and which one (s) are most appropriate for you.

Can radiation therapy be used alone?

Radiation therapy is a common part of breast cancer treatment. It may be used alone, or in conjunction with other therapies. As with any kind of medical procedure, there can be side effects. Side effects can vary, depending on the kind of radiation therapy you have and your individual response to it. Knowing what to expect, and potential side ...

Is radiation good for breast cancer?

Radiation for breast cancer is a common part of treatment plans. It does carry the risk of side effects, many of which are manageable.

What are the long term effects of radiation?

Long-term side effects can include: Breast changes: The breasts may shrink or become more dense after radiation. Some women have reported problems breastfeeding. Brachial plexopathy: Radiation to the breast or chest wall can sometimes damage the nerves that run through the arm, wrist, and hand.

How to help with pain after radiation?

Using heating pads and ice packs may help a person cope with pain and soreness following radiation therapy. Wearing loose clothing and applying an unscented moisturizer can help reduce discomfort caused by skin changes. To reduce stress and fight fatigue, a person can also try: meditation.

What is the best treatment for breast cancer?

One common and effective treatment for breast cancer is radiation therapy . However, it does have some side effects. A doctor may recommend radiation therapy in combination with other treatments, such as surgery and chemotherapy. There are two main types of radiation treatment: External beam radiation: This involves a doctor applying radiation ...

What is external beam radiation?

External beam radiation: This involves a doctor applying radiation from an external machine to the breast and surrounding tissue.

What to do if side effects are impacting a person's quality of life?

If side effects are impacting a person’s quality of life, they should speak to a doctor, who may be able to recommend ways to reduce discomfort. Read the article in Spanish. Last medically reviewed on October 5, 2018. Breast Cancer. Cancer / Oncology. Radiology / Nuclear Medicine. Women's Health / Gynecology.

Can radiation cause hair loss?

Swelling should reduce within a few weeks of the end of treatment. Hair loss in the armpit or chest: When a doctor applies radiation to the lymph nodes in the armpit and chest, it can cause hair loss in these areas.

Can radiation therapy weaken ribs?

Rib fracture: It is possible for radiation therapy to weaken the ribs, making them more prone to break or fracture. However, with new treatment protocols in practice, this is very rare.

How does radiation affect breast cancer?

Radiation therapy is often used to treat breast cancer after surgery. The doses of radiation used to destroy cancer cells can also hurt normal cells. The damage to these normal cells is the cause of the common side effects of radiation treatment. The possible side effects of radiation therapy are directly related to the area of the body being treated. Side effects are caused by the cumulative effect (total effect over time) of radiation on the cells, which is why most patients do not experience any side effects until a few weeks into their treatments. While side effects may be unpleasant, there are treatments to help deal with them. Most side effects are temporary, disappearing slowly over time after therapy is complete.

What happens if you get radiation on your breast?

Radiation to the breast, chest wall, or reconstructed breast may cause permanent changes in the skin , including a darkening or "tanning" of the skin. It can also cause fibrosis, a thickening or scarring of an area of tissue in the breast.

How often do radiation oncologists see patients?

Most radiation oncologists see their patients at least once a week while the patient is receiving treatment. This visit with the healthcare team is a chance for the patient to ask questions, discuss any side effects, and find ways to help relieve side effects. However, you can report concerning symptoms anytime to the treatment team.

How long does it take for side effects to show after cancer treatment?

The side effects discussed above tend to happen during treatment, up until a few months after treatment. Long-term effects can happen months to many years after cancer treatment and the risks vary depending on the areas included in the field of radiation and the radiation techniques that were used.

How to treat skin irritation under breast?

The skin may also become darker under the arm and under the breast. In more severe cases, the skin can peel, and moist ulcers can occur. Treat the skin gently to avoid further irritation, and bathe carefully using only warm water and mild soap. Avoid perfumed or scented lotions or soaps, as these may cause further irritation. Avoid spending too much time in the sun, which can worsen the irritation.

Is there a risk of developing a second cancer?

There is a low risk of developing a second cancer in or near the radiation field. These are called secondary cancers, and they develop as a result of the exposure of healthy tissue to radiation. Modern radiation techniques are designed to limit this exposure, but it is not always possible to prevent all exposure and still achieve the desired outcomes. Yearly mammograms are important.

Can radiation cause fractures?

Radiation can cause small cracks (fractures) in the bones that are in the treatment field. If any trauma occurs (falls or accidents) notify your care team right away.

What are the side effects of radiation on breast?

The main short-term side effects of external beam radiation therapy to the breast are: Swelling in the breast. Skin changes in the treated area similar to a sunburn (redness, skin peeling, darkening of the skin) Fatigue.

What is radiation therapy for breast cancer?

Radiation for Breast Cancer. Radiation therapy is treatment with high-energy rays (or particles) that destroy cancer cells. Some women with breast cancer will need radiation, in addition to other treatments. Radiation therapy is used in several situations: After breast-conserving surgery (BCS), to help lower the chance that ...

How is brachytherapy done for breast cancer?

Intracavitary brachytherapy: This is the most common type of brachytherapy for women with breast cancer. A device is put into the space left from BCS and is left there until treatment is complete. There are several different devices available, most of which require surgical training for proper placement. They all go into the breast as a small catheter (tube). The end of the device inside the breast is then expanded like a balloon so that it stays securely in place for the entire treatment. The other end of the catheter sticks out of the breast. For each treatment, one or more sources of radiation (often pellets) are placed down through the tube and into the device for a short time and then removed. Treatments are typically given twice a day for 5 days as an outpatient. After the last treatment, the device is deflated and removed.

How long does radiation therapy last on breast?

Another option is hypofractionated radiation therapy where the radiation is also given to the whole breast, but in larger daily doses (Monday through Friday) using fewer treatments (typically for only 3 to 4 weeks).

What is APBI in breast cancer?

In select women, some doctors are using accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) to give larger doses over a shorter time to only one part of the breast compared to the entire breast. Since more research is needed to know if these newer methods will have the same long-term results as standard radiation, not all doctors use them. There are several different types of accelerated partial breast irradiation:

What is intraoperative radiation therapy?

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT): In this approach, a single large dose of radiation is given to the area where the tumor was removed (tumor bed) in the operating room right after BCS (before the breast incision is closed). IORT requires special equipment and is not widely available.

How long does it take for breast cancer to go away?

Changes to the breast tissue usually go away in 6 to 12 months, but it can take longer. External beam radiation therapy can also cause side effects later on: Some women may find that radiation therapy causes the breast to become smaller and firmer. Radiation may affect your options for breast reconstruction later on.

How long does it take for a person to recover from radiation?

Skin changes. Urinary and bladder changes. Healthy cells that are damaged during radiation treatment usually recover within a few months after treatment is over. But sometimes people may have side effects that do not improve. Other side effects may show up months or years after radiation therapy is over.

Does radiation make you tired?

People feel fatigue in different ways and you may feel more or less fatigue than someone else who is getting the same amount of radiation therapy to the same part of the body. Other radiation therapy side effects you may have depend on the part of the body that is treated.

Does radiation therapy cause cancer?

Radiation Therapy 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. Many people who get radiation therapy have fatigue. Fatigue is feeling exhausted and worn out.