- Fatigue. Fatigue is feeling tired physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s very common for people with cancer and often happens with radiation therapy.
- Skin problems. Your skin in the radiation treatment area might look red, irritated, swollen, blistered, sunburned, or tanned.
- Hair loss. Radiation therapy can cause hair to be thinned or lost in the area being treated. ...
- Low blood counts. Rarely, radiation therapy can cause changes in your blood count levels. These blood cells help your body fight infection and prevent bleeding.
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 negative effects of radiation therapy?
- Diarrhea
- Hair loss in the treatment area
- Mouth changes such as soreness, dryness and difficulty swallowing (if radiation to head and neck area)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sexual impact (tenderness and soreness of genital organs if radiation to this area)
- Blood count changes
What to expect when having radiation therapy?
What to Expect During Radiation Therapy Treatment
- Before Radiation Therapy. At Affiliated Oncologists, each treatment plan is created to meet the individual needs of the patient, but there are some steps that are taken for each patient.
- During Radiation Therapy. There are two main types of radiation therapy: external beam radiation and internal radiation therapy.
- After Radiation Therapy. ...
What to expect during and after radiation treatments?
- Radiation cystitis. If the radiation damages the lining of the bladder, radiation cystitis can be a long-term problem that causes blood in the urine or pain when passing urine.
- Urinary incontinence. ...
- Fistulas. ...
What are the negative effects of radiation therapy?
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 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.
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.
Does radiation therapy affect the entire body when you receive the treatment?
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.
When are radiation side effects the worst?
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.
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.
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
What should I avoid after radiation?
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.
What is the success rate of radiation therapy?
“When patients are treated with modern external-beam radiation therapy, the overall cure rate was 93.3% with a metastasis-free survival rate at 5 years of 96.9%.
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.
Does 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.
How many sessions of radiotherapy is normal?
Most people have 5 treatments each week (1 treatment a day from Monday to Friday, with a break at the weekend). But sometimes treatment may be given more than once a day or over the weekend.
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...
What Are The Side Effects of Radiation Therapy?
The side effects of radiation therapy depend on the area of the body that receives radiation. Early side effects happen shortly after you receive r...
What Causes The Side Effects of Radiation Therapy?
Radiation can destroy or harm healthy tissues during treatment. This may cause side effects to happen anywhere in the body where radiation therapy...
How Are Side Effects of Radiation Therapy Diagnosed and Treated?
1. Your healthcare provider will ask you about your symptoms and decide if they are side effects of radiation therapy. Radiation therapy may preven...
How Can I Manage My Symptoms?
1. Manage your fatigue. Do short periods of physical activity to help decrease fatigue. Walk for 15 to 30 minutes each day. You can also take a sho...
Where Can I Find More Information?
1. 1. American Cancer Society250 Williams StreetAtlanta , GA 30303Phone: 1- 800 - 227-2345Web Address: http://www.cancer.org 2. 1. National Cancer...
When Should I Seek Immediate Care?
1. Your heart feels like it is beating faster than usual or you have shortness of breath. 2. You have a headache, dizziness, or blurred vision. 3....
When Should I Contact My Healthcare Provider?
1. You have a fever. 2. The area of your skin where you received treatment blisters, peels, becomes more painful, or drains fluid. 3. You have trou...
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?
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 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.
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 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 to treat mouth sores from radiation?
Use medicines as directed to decrease pain caused by mouth sores, and relieve dryness. Do not smoke or use products with nicotine. Drink plenty of liquids as directed. Ask how much liquid to drink each day and which liquids are best for you . Liquids may prevent dehydration caused by the side effects of radiation.
Can radiation damage healthy tissue?
Radiation can destroy or harm healthy tissues during treatment. This may cause side effects to happen anywhere in the body where radiation therapy is given. Medicine may be given to protect healthy tissue and prevent side effects of radiation therapy.
How long has radiation been studied?
minus. Related Pages. Scientists have been studying the effects of radiation for over 100 years; so we know quite a bit about how radiation interacts with living tissue, and its effect on the body. Because we can measure radiation and because we understand its health effects, we can work safely around it.
Is radiation poisonous?
It’s All About the Dose! As with other types of toxins, “the dose makes the poison”. We receive low doses of radiation from our natural environment every day. We know that radiation at high doses can cause cancer, could harm fetuses, and can even lead to death. Learn more about dose and health effects of radiation.
Is radiation harmful to children?
A dose to a part of the body is less harmful than a dose to the whole body. Children and young adults are more sensitive to the effects of radiation. Learn more about different factors that affect dose.
Can radiation damage DNA?
Radiation can damage the DNA in our cells. High doses of radiation can cause Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) or Cutaneous Radiation Injuries (CRI). High doses of radiation could also lead to cancer later in life. Learn more about health effects of radiation exposure. Page last reviewed: December 7, 2015.
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.
Does radiation cause hair loss?
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.
What are the effects of radiation?
It can also result in long-term health effects such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Exposure to low levels of radiation encountered in ...
How does ionizing radiation affect cells?
Ionizing radiation Ionizing radiation Radiation with so much energy it can knock electrons out of atoms. Ionizing radiation can affect the atoms in living things, so it poses a health risk by damaging tissue and DNA in genes. has sufficient energy to affect the atoms in living cells and thereby damage their genetic material (DNA). Fortunately, the cells in our bodies are extremely efficient at repairing this damage. However, if the damage is not repaired correctly, a cell may die or eventually become cancerous. Related information in Spanish (Información relacionada en español).
What is the term for radiation sickness?
This is known as acute radiation syndrome, commonly known as “radiation sickness.”. It takes a very high radiation exposure to cause acute radiation syndrome —more than 0.75 gray gray A gray is the international unit used to measure absorbed dose (the amount of radiation absorbed by an object or person).
What is radiation risk?
Radiation risk may refer to all excess cancers caused by radiation exposure (incidence risk) or only excess fatal cancers (mortality risk). Risk may be expressed as a percent, a fraction, or a decimal value. For example, a 1% excess risk of cancer incidence is the same as a 1 in a hundred (1/100) risk or a risk of 0.01. of cancer over a lifetime.
What are radioactive forms of elements?
The risk from exposure to a particular radionuclide radionuclide Radioactive forms of elements are called radionuclides. Radium-226, Cesium-137, and Strontium-90 are examples of radionuclides. depends on: The energy of the radiation it emits. The type of radiation ( alpha, beta, gamma, x-rays ).
What is acute radiation syndrome?
Acute radiation syndrome is rare, and comes from extreme events like a nuclear explosion or accidental handling or rupture of a highly radioactive source. View CDC Fact Sheet: Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS). Learn about protecting yourself from radiation. Learn about radiation sources and doses. Top of Page.
Does radiation cause cancer?
Radiation Exposure and Cancer Risk. Exposure to low-levels of radiation does not cause immediate health effects, but can cause a small increase in the risk risk The probability of injury, disease or death from exposure to a hazard. Radiation risk may refer to all excess cancers caused by radiation exposure ...
What are the symptoms of radiation sickness?
Radiation is a type of energy. Frequent exposure to even small amounts of radiation could result in the onset of some of the symptoms of radiation sickness. These symptoms may include: Headache. Loss of appetite. Vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. Rapid heartbeat.
How many cancer patients are treated with radiation?
Nearly two-thirds of all patients with cancer who receive radiation therapy. There are no good estimates of how many of these patients will develop complications due to radiation therapy. Common general side effects of radiation therapy: The reason radiation therapy works is that it damages the DNA of the cells.
Why are children at risk for radiation sickness?
Fetuses and children are at particular risk of radiation sickness because their cells divide rapidly, and radiation can disrupt that process. There is also some correlation between excess radiation exposure and an increased risk of cancer.
What are the different types of radiation?
Different types of radiation include: Electromagnetic radiation such as radio waves, heat, X-rays, gamma radiation, and even visible light. Particle radiation such as alpha radiation, neutron radiation, and beta radiation.
Where does ionizing radiation come from?
About half of the ionizing radiation we're exposed to comes from nature. It's in rock, soil, and the atmosphere. The other half comes from man-made sources such as medical tests and treatments and nuclear power plants.
Does radiation damage cancer cells?
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, although this is generally a mild process and typically does not cause any long-term problems that substantially affect the quality of life.
Can radiotherapy be used with chemotherapy?
Radiotherapy may be used alone or synergistically with chemotherapy or immunotherapy. The type of radiation therapy used depends on the disease and specific type of cancer being treated. Radiotherapy plays a part in. Primary curative treatment ( head and neck cancer ).
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.
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.
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.".
What is the effect of ionizing radiation on the body?
Ionizing radiation causes molecule to break apart and recombine in undesired ways. The higher the radiation energy, the more this break down occurs. Large amounts of radiation can have significant biological effects on the human body.
How does radiation affect cells?
Radiation can effect the cells in following ways: (i) Cells are undamaged by the dose. (ii ) Cells are damaged, but the damage is repaired and they operate normally. ( iii) Cells are damaged, repair the damage and operate abnormally, (iv) Cells die due to damage.
How does alpha radiation affect the human body?
Radiation from alpha particles loses their energy very quickly when they pass through matter. As a result these radiations travel only a few inches in air and can easily be stopped by the outer layer of human body. As these particles have less penetrating power, so they take 7.5 MeV (million electron volts) energy to penetrate the skin. Alpha radiation sources are most harmful to human body if they are ingested because for equal energy they can produce more ion-pairs in comparison to beta or gamma rays.
What is the difference between ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation?
While ionizing radiation is that form of energy that moves in waves. It has energy high enough to strip electrons from atoms.
How does ionizing radiation destroy molecules?
Ionizing radiation breaks down and destabilizes the atoms and molecules. This is particularly true to bio-molecules. The mechanism of destruction starts with the irradiation of water molecule in the cell. On getting irradiated an electron is ejected out of its orbit.
What is ionizing radiation?
It is made up of subatomic particles that are able to penetrate matter and alter its physical makeup. Ionizing radiation breaks down and destabilizes the molecules, especially the biomolecules, including DNA (De oxyribo nucleic acid). So we can say that it is the ionization that causes damage to living matter.
Why is chromic radiation better than acute radiation?
The body is better equipped to tolerate a chronic dose than an acute dose because the body has time to repair damage as the small percentage of the cells need repair at any given time.
What happens if you die from radiation?
If a few radiation-damaged cells die, your body will recover and you do not have the risk of those cells potentially turning into cancer. However, widespread cell death, such as that caused by high radiation doses, can lead to organ failure and, ultimately, death.
How does radiation affect DNA?
Radiation can interact with DNA directly and cause damage by breaking bonds in the DNA or indirectly by breaking water molecules surrounding the DNA. When these water molecules are broken, they produce free radicals–unstable oxygen molecules that can damage cells and organs.
What happens when a cell is damaged?
The cell repairs itself. The cell would then go back to normal. 2. The cell damage is not repaired or is incorrectly repaired, so the cell is changed. This change may eventually lead to cancer. 3. There is too much damage to the cell, and the cell dies.
Why is radiation risk higher in younger people?
The risk from radiation is higher for younger people mainly because: Younger people have more cells that are dividing rapidly and tissues that are growing. Younger people have a longer lifespan ahead of them, giving cancers more time to develop.
How long have we been studying radiation?
We have been studying the effects of radiation for over 100 years, so we know quite a bit about how radiation interacts with living tissue. As with other toxins, “the dose makes the poison.”. It is the radiation dose, or the amount of radiation, that is the critical issue in determining health consequences. It is helpful to put radiation dose in ...
Who is most vulnerable to radiation?
A developing fetus is the most vulnerable to the effects of radiation. Infants, children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems are more vulnerable to health effects than healthy adults. For more information on radiation and pregnancy, click here.
Is radiation harmful to the fetus?
We receive low doses of radiation from our natural environment. However, we know that radiation at high doses can be lethal. We know that radiation can cause cancer, and we also know radiation can be harmful to the fetus at various stages of pregnancy.
