Treatment areas and possible side effects
| Part of the body being treated | Possible side effects |
| Brain | Fatigue Hair loss Memory or concentratio ... |
| Breast | Fatigue Hair loss Skin changes Swelling ... |
| Chest | Fatigue Hair loss Skin changes Throat pr ... |
| Head and Neck | Fatigue Hair loss Mouth problems Skin ch ... |
...
- Fatigue.
- Hair loss.
- Skin changes.
- Swelling (edema)
- Tenderness.
What are the harmful effects of radiation?
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, …
What diseases are caused by radiation?
7 rows · Radiation not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells, it can also affect nearby healthy ...
What harm can radiation can cause to living tissue?
Radiation therapy aimed at a person’s head or neck may cause these side effects: Dry mouth Mouth and gum sores Difficulty swallowing Stiffness in the jaw Nausea Hair loss A type of swelling called lymphedema Tooth decay Learn more about dental health during cancer treatment and managing eating challenges from head and neck treatments. Chest.
How does radiation both treat and cause cancer?
Other Side Effects Fatigue. . Radiation may make you mentally and physically tired. This usually happens after a few weeks of treatment. Skin changes. . Your skin may look red, tanned, or irritated in the area you get radiation therapy. This could cause it... Low blood counts. . …
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 kind of problems can radiation cause?
Exposure to very high levels of radiation, such as being close to an atomic blast, can cause acute health effects such as skin burns and acute radiation syndrome (“radiation sickness"). It can also result in long-term health effects such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.Apr 14, 2021
What are the long-term side effects of radiation?
What are the most common long-term side effects of radiation?Cataracts.Hair loss.Hearing loss.Memory loss ("It's hard to determine how much memory loss or cognitive dysfunction is related to a tumor and how much is related to radiotherapy," says Dr. Nowlan.
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.3 days ago
Is radiation worse than chemo?
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
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
Can radiation weaken the 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
What is the survival rate of radiation therapy?
The overall 5-year survival rate was 27%. For 105 patients treated definitively with radiation therapy, the median and 5-year survival rate figures were 26.0 months and 40%. For 149 patients treated with adjuvant radiation therapy, the 5-year survival rate was 62% (median survival rate not reached).
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Why does my skin turn red after radiation?
This usually happens after a few weeks of treatment. That’s because of the harm to your healthy cells. Your sleepiness may get more intense as you continue with therapy. Skin changes. Your skin may look red, tanned, or irritated in the area you get radiation therapy.
How to manage cancer after radiation?
They include: Talk to your doctor. Cancer affects everyone differently. Ask them which types you may be at risk for based on your past cancer and radiation therapy. Schedule checkups.
What is the treatment for cancer?
Radioembolization. Cancer Caused by Radiation Therapy. If you have cancer, your doctor may recommend radiation therapy . This uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. It’s rare, but these high doses of radiation could trigger another cancer called second primary cancer.
Does a syringe go away after treatment?
It should go away over time after your treatment ends, but in some cases your skin may stay more sensitive or discolored in that area. Low blood counts. While it’s rare, your blood count levels could change. These are the cells that help you stop bleeding and fight infections.
Can you lose hair after cancer treatment?
You may lose your hair or notice it’s thinner after treatment. This could happen in the specific area where you get therapy, like your head. Your hair will grow back after treatment ends. In addition to second primary cancer, you could have other late side effects that may take months or years to show up.
Can radiation cause cancer?
How Radiation Therapy Can Cause Cancer. The strength of this treatment can damage your DNA and kill healthy cells and tissues. This can lead to cancer. But since it’s rare, the many benefits of radiation treatment usually outweigh this risk.
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 ...
How does radiation affect skin?
It may look red, sunburned, or tanned. It may also get swollen or blistered. Your skin may also become dry, flaky, or itchy. Or it may start to peel.
How long after radiation therapy does skin feel better?
Don't use any tape, gauze, or bandages on your skin unless the doctor tells you to. Your skin should start to feel better a few weeks after therapy ends. But when it heals, it may be a darker color. And you’ll still need to protect yourself from the sun even after radiation therapy has ended.
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 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.
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 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.
What are the side effects of radiation therapy?
Late side effects of radiation therapy may be permanent. Early and late side effects may include any of the following: Fatigue or loss of energy. Pain in the area of the body that is being treated. Skin changes such as a sunburn or red skin. Hair loss in the area receiving radiation. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or indigestion.
How to manage radiation side effects?
You can do the following to help get enough nutrition and manage the side effects of radiation: Eat 6 to 8 small meals per day. Eat foods high in protein and calories. Do not eat foods that increase side effects.
How does radiation affect your mental health?
Radiation therapy can affect your emotional and mental health. Talk to your healthcare provider if you feel angry, scared, helpless, depressed, or frustrated. There are medicines and therapies that can help you manage these side effects. Join a support group or talk to others that have been through radiation therapy.
How to get rid of a swollen ear?
Apply lotions, creams, or ointments as directed. Do not put anything on your skin before you ask your healthcare provider. Eat healthy foods as directed. Ask your healthcare provider if you need to be on a special diet. You may be on a special diet if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
What is the purpose of liquids in radiation?
Liquids may prevent dehydration caused by the side effects of radiation. You may need an oral rehydration solution (ORS). An ORS contains water, salts, and sugar that are needed to replace lost body fluids. Ask what kind of ORS to use, how much to drink, and where to get it.
How to cover your head from radiation?
Wear a wig, head scarf, or hat to cover your head. You may have hair loss on your head if your head or neck receives radiation therapy. Hair loss may be difficult to deal with. Talk to your healthcare provider about where you can get a hairpiece or wig. Get support.
How to treat a swollen face?
Use a mild soap and warm water to bathe. Do not use very hot or very cold water on areas of your skin being treated. Do not rub or scratch the area of skin being treated. Wear sunscreen , hats, and clothing to protect your skin when you are outside. Apply lotions, creams, or ointments as directed .
What are the sources of radiation?
X-Rays and Other Sources of Radiation. High-energy radiation, such as x-rays, gamma rays, alpha particles, beta particles, and neutrons, can damage DNA and cause cancer. These forms of radiation can be released in accidents at nuclear power plants and when atomic weapons are made, tested, or used. Certain medical procedures, such as chest x-rays, ...
What type of radiation is harmful to DNA?
Radiation. Radiation of certain wavelengths, called ionizing radiation , has enough energy to damage DNA and cause cancer. Ionizing radiation includes radon, x-rays, gamma rays, and other forms of high-energy radiation.
How is radon formed?
Radon is formed when the radioactive element radium breaks down. Radium in turn is formed when the radioactive elements uranium and thorium break down. People who are exposed to high levels of radon have an increased risk of lung cancer.
Can a CT scan cause cancer?
Certain medical procedures, such as chest x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, positron emission tomography (PET) scans, and radiation therapy can also cause cell damage that leads to cancer.
Does radiation cause cancer?
Lower-energy, non-ionizing forms of radiation, such as visible light and the energy from cell phones, have not been found to cause cancer in people.
Do radon tests cost much?
Home radon tests are easy to use and do not cost much. Most hardware stores sell test kits. There are many ways to lessen the amount of radon in a home to a safe level. For more information on radon, see the Radon page and the Radon and Cancer fact sheet.
Why do people with cancer need radiation?
Why People with Cancer Receive 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 is intraoperative radiation therapy?
During surgery, so that it goes straight to the cancer without passing through the skin. Radiation therapy used this way is called intraoperative radiation.
What is brachytherapy with liquid source?
Learn more about brachytherapy. Internal radiation therapy with a liquid source is called systemic therapy. Systemic means that the treatment travels in the blood to tissues throughout your body, seeking out and killing cancer cells.
What is the best radiation treatment for thyroid cancer?
A systemic radiation therapy called radioactive iodine, or I-131, is most often used to treat certain types of thyroid cancer.
What is the treatment for cancer that has spread to the bone called?
Pain from cancer that has spread to the bone can be treated with systemic radiation therapy drugs called radiopharmaceuticals.
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.
