What are the side effects of radiation therapy on breasts?
1 Breast changes: The breasts may shrink or become more dense after radiation. Some women have reported problems breastfeeding. 2 Brachial plexopathy: Radiation to the breast or chest wall can sometimes damage the nerves that run through the arm, wrist, and hand. ... 3 Lymphedema: Lymphedema is swelling of the arm, hand, or chest. ...
What is the timing for radiation therapy for breast cancer?
The timing for radiation therapy depends on several factors. The treatment may take place: After a lumpectomy: A lumpectomy removes the cancerous tumor, leaving most of the breast.
How do I manage the side effects of radiation therapy?
Let your radiation oncologist or nurse know how the sessions are making you feel. They may be able to recommend creams or other interventions to lessen the side effects. During and just after treatment, your treated breast may be sore.
What are the short-term side effects of radiation treatment for cancer?
Radiation to the brain can cause these short-term side effects: Some of these side effects can happen because radiation has caused the brain to swell. Medicines are usually given to prevent brain swelling, but it’s important to let your cancer care team know about headaches or any other symptoms.
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).
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.
Can radiation cause hair loss?
Nausea and hair loss. Nausea is rare with radiation therapy to the breast. You won’t lose the hair on your head. However, you may lose some hair under your arm or on the breast or chest area getting radiation (this may be a concern for some men with breast cancer).
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.
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.
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.
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 long does radiation therapy last?
Standard treatment with radiation therapy lasts for five to eight weeks, depending on the specific type of cancer being treated, and is at the discretion of the oncologist supervising the therapy.
Why is radiation therapy important?
By Yolanda Smith, B.Pharm. Reviewed by Benedette Cuffari, M.Sc. When radiation therapy is used to kill cancerous cells in the body , it is important to measure the dose correctly to avoid unnecessary damage to normal cells in the body. Radiation is not selective to tumor cells and therefore targets any cells that are in the process ...
Why is patient positioning important during radiation treatment?
The exact position of the patient during the radiation treatment is of utmost importance to ensure that the correct dose of radiation is emitted to the intended area of the body. It is common practice for skin to be marked to indicate where the treatment should be focused.
Why do you need a mold for radiation?
Additionally, areas of the body that do not contain tumor cells should be subjected to as little radiation as possible, often necessitating blocks or shields to protect other parts of the body .
What is the unit used to measure the total amount of radiation that the patient is exposed to?
Gray (Gy) is the unit used to measure the total amount of radiation that the patient is exposed to. This can also be recorded as centigray (cGy), which is 0.01 of a single Gy unit.
Is radiation selective to tumor cells?
Radiation is not selective to tumor cells and therefore targets any cells that are in the process of replication when the therapy is applied. This thereby stresses the importance of administering the correct dose in order to ensure optimal efficiency with minimal side effects. Image Credit: Roman Zaiets / Shutterstock.com.
When Does Someone With Breast Cancer Get Radiation Therapy
The timing for radiation therapy depends on several factors. The treatment may take place:
Pain And Skin Changes
During and just after treatment, your treated breast may be sore. Talk with your health care provider about using mild pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen to ease breast tenderness.
Managing The Challenges Of Hormone Therapies
Hormone therapy for early breast cancer affects people differently. Some people experience more side effects than others and its not something you can predict before treatment.
How Is Yale Medicines Approach To Hypofractionation For Breast Cancer Unique
Yale Medicine patients receive highly personalized care from a team of cancer specialists. Each week, those specialists meet to discuss all of the patients who are about to start treatment, and those who have just begun.
Types Of Radiation For Breast Cancer
External-beam radiation therapy is the most common form of radiation treatment for breast cancer. In this approach, a machine called a linear accelerator, or LINAC, produces radiation. The radiation is delivered as precisely targeted x-ray beams.
What Are Common Side Effects Of Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is called a local treatment. This means that it only affects the area of the body that is targeted. For example, radiation therapy to the scalp may cause hair loss. But people who have radiation therapy to other parts of their body do not usually lose the hair on their head.
How Effective Is Radiation Therapy
If early-stage breast cancer hasnt spread, radiation therapy after a lumpectomy significantly reduces the risk of cancer coming back by approximately 50%. Studies show that a lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy is as effective as a mastectomy without radiation therapy.