Radiation to the breast can cause:
- Skin irritation, dryness, and color changes
- Breast soreness
- Breast swelling from fluid build-up (lymphedema)
What are the long term effects of radiation treatment?
- your skin might look darker than it was before in the treated area – as if it is suntanned
- your skin in the treatment area will always be slightly more sensitive to the sun
- your skin might feel different to touch
- your hair might grow back a different colour or texture in the treatment area
- you might have permanent hair loss within the treated area
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
How long does it take to recover from radiation treatment?
The general effects of radiation therapy like fatigue, nausea, and headaches resolve fairly quickly after treatment. Your body just needs time to process the radiation but can recover within a few weeks. Delayed side effects of radiation therapy, on the other hand, may require further treatment to alleviate.
What are the side effects of radiation therapy?
Some possible late effects are:
- fertility problems (if you had radiation therapy to the pelvis)
- heart problems (if you had radiation to the chest)
- lung problems (if you had radiation to the chest)
- changes in skin colour
- mental or emotional problems (if you had radiation to the head and neck or brain)
- osteoporosis
- second cancers
What are 3 side effects of radiation therapy?
Specific side effects of radiation therapy that affect parts of the bodyHeadaches.Hair loss.Nausea.Vomiting.Extreme tiredness (fatigue)Hearing loss.Skin and scalp changes.Trouble with memory and speech.More items...•
How long does breast radiation side effects last?
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. You might get one or two of them.
How does breast radiation affect the body?
Common side effects during treatment may include: Mild to moderate fatigue. Skin irritation, such as itchiness, redness, peeling or blistering, similar to what you might experience with a sunburn. Breast swelling.
Does breast radiation make you sick?
Chemo, radiation, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy can cause nausea and sometimes vomiting in some people. But localized radiation for breast cancer is less likely to cause vomiting. It can happen right after treatment or a few days later.
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 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.
How long does it take to heal from breast radiation?
Most skin changes get better within a few months. Changes to the breast tissue usually go away in 6 to 12 months, but it can take longer.
How soon after radiation do side effects start?
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. Talk with your treatment team about what to expect.
How long does radiation stay in your body after treatment?
For most people, the cancer experience doesn't end on the last day of radiation therapy. Radiation therapy usually does not have an immediate effect, and it could take days, weeks or months to see any change in the cancer. The cancer cells may keep dying for weeks or months after the end of treatment.
What are 5 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
Does radiation on left breast affect the heart?
Potential damage to the heart is influenced by the area of the chest where the tumour is located i.e. radiation targeted to the left breast increases the risk of damage to the heart.
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.
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?
Possible side effects of radiation therapy. The main short-term side effects of external beam radiation therapy to the breast are: Swelling in the breast or chest wall. Skin changes in the treated area similar to a sunburn (redness, skin peeling, darkening of the skin) Fatigue. Your health care team may advise you to avoid exposing ...
Why do men need radiation after mastectomy?
After breast-conserving surgery (BCS), to help lower the chance that the cancer will come back in the remaining breast tissue or nearby lymph nodes. Radiation is needed less often for men with breast cancer than it is for women, mainly because breast-conserving surgery (BCS) isn't done as much. After a mastectomy, especially if ...
What is the radiation needed for cancer?
Which areas need radiation depends on whether you had a mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and whether or not the cancer has reached nearby lymph nodes.
How long does radiation last after breast cancer surgery?
If you are getting chemotherapy as well, radiation treatments are usually delayed until chemotherapy is complete. Breast radiation is most often given 5 days a week (Monday thru Friday) ...
What is radiation therapy for breast cancer?
Radiation therapy is treatment with high-energy rays (such as x-rays) or particles that destroy cancer cells. The most common type of radiation therapy for men with breast cancer is called external beam radiation. A machine focuses the radiation on the area affected by the cancer.
How to prepare for radiation therapy?
Before your treatment starts, the radiation team will carefully figure out the correct angles for aiming the radiation beams and the proper dose of radiation. They will make some ink marks or small tattoos on your skin to focus the radiation on the right area.
How long does it take for breast cancer to go away?
Most skin changes get better within a few months. Changes to the breast tissue usually go away in 6 to 12 months, but it can take longer.
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 the difference between external beam and internal radiation?
External beam radiation: This involves a doctor applying radiation from an external machine to the breast and surrounding tissue. Internal radiation (brachytherapy): This involves placing a small radioactive pellet into the body for a short period.
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.
Does radiation cause pain in the shoulder area?
Pain: Some people experience mild discomfort or pain around the breast, or stiffness in the shoulder area. Over time, treatments should become less uncomfortable. Skin changes: Skin damage is a common side effect of radiation therapy, and having a good skin care routine is essential during treatment.
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.
Short Term Side Effects
The following list includes some of the most common side effects of radiation therapy for breast cancer. Remember that the treatment can affect each patient differently and you may not experience these problems. Talk with your care team about what you can expect from your specific treatment.
Long-term Side Effects
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.
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 ...
Can left breast cancer cause heart disease?
If there is significant heart exposure because of left breast radiation, in some cases injury to the heart can occur, causing heart conditions or heart disease. This is not as common these days, thanks to greater understanding of this potential link.