what to expect when getting radiation treatment and do i have a needle

Explore

It is the most common radiation therapy treatment for cancer. Each session is quick, lasting about 15 minutes. Radiation does not hurt, sting, or burn when it enters the body. You will hear clicking or buzzing throughout the treatment and there may be a smell from the machine.

What can I expect during radiation treatment?

The treatment itself is painless and is similar to getting an X-ray. You may hear clicking and whirring sounds during the treatment as the machine positions itself. During the treatment, the radiation therapist will be in a small room adjacent to your treatment room and watching you at …

What do I need to know before starting radiation therapy?

Mar 31, 2015 · It allowed the radiation to reach the tumor while protecting the healthy parts of my body. You will be tattooed. Your care team will tattoo a few tiny dots on you in your affected area so they can line up the machine correctly with your tumor. The needle is tiny, and it doesn't hurt. Still, I cried. I have never had a tattoo, and I didn't want one.

What happens during a CT scan for radiation therapy?

After radiation therapy to the whole breast, you may have more radiation (called a boost) to the part of the breast that had the tumor. This boost increases the amount of radiation given to the area at highest risk for breast cancer recurrence.

What should I expect at my first radiation oncology appointment?

What to Expect When Getting Radiation Therapy to the Chest For patients having radiation therapy at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre ... Sometimes the doctor may use a dye, given to you by needle. If you need the dye, we will give you more information about it …

Does radiation therapy involve needles?

In this method, a source of radiation in the shape of needles or seeds is implanted in the body. This treatment is often given before or after external beam irradiation as a way of increasing the radiation dose to only the tumor.

What happens in the first week of radiation?

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

Is having radiotherapy painful?

External-beam radiation therapy Radiation does not hurt, sting, or burn when it enters the body. You will hear clicking or buzzing throughout the treatment and there may be a smell from the machine. Typically, people have treatment sessions 5 times per week, Monday through Friday.

What do you wear during radiation therapy?

You may want to: Wear loose, soft, cotton clothing over the area being treated. Avoid stiff or starched clothing near the area being treated. Do not put anything but mild soap (such as Dove) and lukewarm water on the skin in the treated area, unless the doctor or nurse says that it is safe to do so.

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

What can I expect at my first radiation treatment?

The treatment itself is painless and is similar to getting an X-ray. You may hear clicking and whirring sounds during the treatment as the machine positions itself. During the treatment, the radiation therapist will be in a small room adjacent to your treatment room and watching you at all times.

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 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 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.

What time of day is best for radiation therapy?

New research from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, to be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2019 in Atlanta, reports that administering radiation treatments in the morning as opposed to later in the day can significantly reduce severity of mucositis and its related ...Mar 30, 2019

Can you drive home after radiation treatment?

Will I be able to drive after my radiotherapy treatment? Almost all patients are able to drive while receiving radiotherapy treatment. However, with some types of cancer, driving may NOT be recommended due to fatigue or strong pain medication.

Can you shower after radiation treatment?

Bathe or shower daily using warm water and a mild unscented soap, such as Neutrogena®, Dove®, baby soap, Basis®, or Cetaphil®. Rinse your skin well and pat it dry with a soft towel. When washing, be gentle with your skin in the area being treated. Don't use a washcloth, scrubbing cloth, loofah or brush.Dec 12, 2018

How long does it take for radiation to hit your body?

This may seem scary, but this ensures the radiation does not hit healthy areas. The radiation takes a couple of minutes. You can sense when the radiation hits your body if you receive radiation to your brain.

How long does radiation treatment last?

What Happens During Radiation. The treatment is normally Monday through Friday and lasts about 45 minutes. A lot of time is spent getting your body in the right position, so the radiation hits its desired locations. You lay down on a custom-molded table. A technician positions your body using lasers and measurements.

Does radiation cause hair loss?

Radiation to your brain causes hair loss, but over time it grows back. As your hair grows again, so will you. Remember, during and after radiation treatment, listen to your body, ask questions, acknowledge side effects and adjust.

How long does it take to get a radiation treatment?

This process can take up to two weeks before you return for your first actual radiation therapy treatment. When your treatment plan is developed, it will outline whether you will be receiving radiation therapy before, during, or after other treatments.

How long does radiation therapy last?

Type of radiation therapy used. Most external beam radiation, when used to shrink a tumor before surgery, is administered five days a week for five to eight weeks. Fewer treatments may be used if the goal is easing cancer-related symptoms.

What is radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy used as preoperative therapy to shrink a tumor that will then be removed surgically is referred to as neoadjuvant therapy. When radiation is administered at the same time as chemotherapy or immunotherapy, it’s called concurrent treatment.

What is radiation therapy after surgery called?

Radiation therapy used as a treatment after surgery or chemotherapy is called adjuvant therapy . Its goal is to kill off any cancer cells that may have been left behind to reduce the chances of recurrence.

What is the difference between a radiation physicist and a dosimetrist?

Radiation physicist: Calibrates radiation equipment and ensures it delivers the proper amount of radiation as prescribed by your radiation oncologist. Dosimetrist: Uses computer imaging to create a radiation delivery plan based on the location of the tumor.

What is the only treatment for cancer?

In some cases, radiation therapy will be the only treatment needed to treat a cancer, but often it is used in conjunction with other treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or some combination.

How many sessions of radiation therapy for cancer?

Internal radiation therapy for cancer may be completed in one session or a series of three to five sessions about a week apart .

What does "fluid" mean in a doctor appointment?

Your scheduled appointments will be "fluid". This means from one day to the next, your appointment could be anywhere from an hour early to an hour later. There will be people who cancel at the last minute and others who require more time than expected. Just be ready, and try not get upset by the changes.

Can compression sleeves help with swelling?

For me, it's lymphedema, or swelling, in my left leg. Because they took out some lymph nodes, the fluids and blood flow were now getting trapped in my lower leg. But compression sleeves and a compression pump can help reduce swelling and pain.

Does radiation hurt a tumor?

Your care team will tattoo a few tiny dots on you in your affected area so they can line up the machine correctly with your tumor. The needle is tiny, and it doesn't hurt. Still, I cried.

Do you need a cradle for radiation?

You will be fitted for a cradle. Not the kind you slept in as a child. Similar to a beanbag chair that hardens to your shape, the cradle will help keep you in place for radiation therapy. Every day I was grateful for the cradle. It allowed the radiation to reach the tumor while protecting the healthy parts of my body.

How long does radiation treatment last?

Each session lasts about 10-20 minutes.

What to do if you don't live near a radiation treatment center?

If you don’t live near the radiation treatment center, it can be hard to get to and from therapy sessions. Sometimes, there are programs that help with local or long-distance transportation and lodging.

What is hypofractionated breast irradiation?

This is called hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation. It’s like standard whole-breast radiation therapy except it uses a slightly higher dose of radiation per session (hypofractionation). This reduces the number of treatment sessions, making the overall course shorter. For most women with early breast cancer, ...

How to contact Komen for breast cancer?

Transportation, lodging, child care and elder care assistance 1 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). All calls are answered by a trained specialist or oncology social worker in English and Spanish, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET. You can also email the helpline at [email protected]. 2 We offer an online support community through our closed Facebook Group – Komen Breast Cancer group. The Facebook group provides a place where those with a connection to breast cancer can discuss each other’s experiences and build strong relationships to provide support to each other. Visit Facebook and search for “Komen Breast Cancer group” to request to join the closed group. 3 Our fact sheets, booklets and other education materials offer additional information.

What is radiation therapy for breast cancer?

Radiation therapy is planned specifically for your breast cancer, the shape of your body and your internal anatomy. This is why sessions can’t be split between different treatment centers. Your treatment plan is based on: The tumor size, type and location. The number of lymph nodes with cancer. The type of breast surgery (and lymph node surgery) ...

How long does it take to get a breast irradiated after a lumpectomy?

Partial breast irradiation delivers radiation only to the area around the tumor bed (the space where the tumor was removed during lumpectomy). It’s typically done in a shortened course over only 5-10 days.

What is brachytherapy in cancer?

Brachytherapy uses targeted radiation placed inside the tumor bed. Implanted radiation “seeds” (interstitial radiation therapy) or a single small balloon device (intracavitary radiation therapy) can be used to deliver the radiation. External beam radiation therapy uses standard external beam radiation therapy, but only targets the tumor bed.

How long after radiation therapy can you touch a patient?

With systemic radiation therapy, you may also have to avoid the person's bodily fluids for a few days after treatment.

What are the side effects of radiation?

Some people may have many side effects, while others may have very few. The most common side effects are skin problems and fatigue.

What is systemic radiation?

Another type is systemic radiation, when a radioactive drug is used and either given by mouth or put into a vein. External and internal radiation therapy mostly affect only the part of the body that has cancer while systemic radiation travels throughout the body.

How does radiation work?

Radiation works by breaking the DNA in cancer cells which helps keep them from growing and can cause them to die. Most of the time, radiation is aimed at only the area that has cancer. It doesn’t reach the rest of the body.

What is caregiving during radiation treatment?

October 18, 2019. Taking care of someone with cancer may involve learning some basics about radiation treatments. Radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for some types of cancer. It may be used to cure a cancer or shrink tumors, stop cancer from coming back, ...

How to help a cancer patient with fatigue?

Staying active while also getting enough rest and eating a healthy diet may help. Talk to the cancer care team about other ways to manage fatigue. External beam radiation can make the skin in the area being treated look and feel like it’s been sunburned. It may hurt or itch, peel, or become flaky.

Can you use lotion on cancer?

Try to protect the area from rubbing or scratching. Tight or stiff clothes may bother the skin. Ask the cancer care team whether it’s OK before using anything on the skin, including soaps, lotions, deodorants, medicines, perfumes, cosmetics, or powder.

How long does it take for side effects to show up after radiation?

Some side effects might show up quickly, but others might not show up until 1 to 2 years after treatment. Talk with your radiation oncologist about what to watch for and when to call your doctor. If the cancer is in many areas, sometimes the whole brain is treated with radiation.

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.

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.

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 long does it take for a swollen throat to get worse after radiation?

Sores (mucositis) in your mouth and throat. Dry mouth. Thicker saliva. Swelling. Taste changes. These symptoms usually start 1 to 2 weeks after you start radiation therapy. They may get worse during treatment.

How to help swallow after radiation?

Teach you exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles involved in swallowing. Look for any changes in your ability to swallow as you go through radiation therapy. Help you keep your ability to swallow after your treatment is done to prevent long-term or late-onset changes.

How does radiation affect swallowing?

Depending on the tumor’s size and location, your radiation therapy may weaken the muscles and structures that help you swallow. It can also keep them from working as well as they did before you started radiation therapy. This can make it harder to eat and drink normally.

Can radiation scars be permanent?

Radiation therapy can also cause permanent tissue scarring. The effects of this scarring depend on the area that was treated. Some effects of scarring are listed below. The muscles attached to your jaw may tighten and make it hard to open your mouth and chew your food.

How long does it take for skin to change after a syringe?

Skin changes in the treatment area may begin after a few days into treatment and may continue after your last treatment. Your skin may become irritated (warm, red, swollen, dry, tight and itchy).

How long does it take for eyelashes to grow back after radiation?

Your eyelashes may grow back after your treatment but sometimes this may take weeks or months. Speak to your radiation oncologist and nurse if you have any questions.

Finding Premiere Experts and Care

What Happens During Radiation

What Happens After Radiation

• Radiation side effects are different for each person. You may be able to exercise or perform your ‘normal’ activities. Or you may not. Side effects also tend to get worse as more treatments are given. I lost my hair, experienced a great deal of fatigue and nausea, and skin dryness on treated areas. When these changes happen, acknowledge your side e...

See more on cancer.gov

Advice For Others