Risks
| Part of body being treated | Common side effects |
| Any part | Hair loss at treatment site (sometimes p ... |
| Head and neck | Dry mouth, thickened saliva, difficulty ... |
| Chest | Difficulty swallowing, cough, shortness ... |
Are there any side effects specific to where radiation is given?
Your skin in the radiation treatment area might look red, irritated, swollen, blistered, sunburned, or tanned. After a few weeks, your skin might become dry, flaky, or itchy, or it may peel. This is sometimes called radiation dermatitis. It’s important to …
What happens during radiation therapy treatment?
7 rows · Fatigue. Hair loss. Nausea and vomiting. Skin changes. Urinary and bladder problems. Healthy cells ...
How long does it take for side effects of radiation to appear?
Depending on the part of your body is being treated with radiation, you may also have the following side effects: Diarrhea. Hair loss in the treatment area. Mouth changes such as soreness, dryness and difficulty swallowing (if radiation to …
What are the side effects of wearing a radiation patch?
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.
What does someone look like after radiation?
Does radiotherapy make you look older?
Does cancer change your appearance?
Will my skin go back to normal after radiation?
What does a radiation burn look like?
What does a radiation rash look like?
Can radiation change your appearance?
How does your body change when you have cancer?
Below are some of the side effects of cancer and its treatment that young adults and teenagers commonly have: Scars from surgery, or loss of a body part. Hair loss from radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Weight gain or weight loss.
Why do cancer patients have puffy faces?
It is a vascular reaction that causes an increased ability for fluid in the cells to "leak" into the layers of the skin, resulting in swelling.
What is the best cream to use for radiation burns?
How long does radiotherapy stay in your system?
Is radiation worse than chemo?
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 happens if you get radiation treatment?
If you get external radiation therapy, the skin in the treatment area may become more sensitive or look and feel sunburned. Ask your doctor or nurse before using any soap, lotions, deodorants, medicines, perfumes, cosmetics, talcum powder, or anything else on the treated area.
How long after radiation do you have side effects?
Late side effects may first occur six or more months after radiation therapy is over. Late side effects may include infertility, joint problems, lymphedema, mouth problems, and secondary cancer. Everyone is different, so talk to your doctor or nurse about whether you might have late side effects and what signs to look for.
Why does my skin change after radiation?
Skin changes may include dryness, itching, peeling, or blistering. These changes occur because radiation therapy damages healthy skin cells in the treatment area.
How does radiation therapy treat cancer?
contributed by Annette Schork, RN, BSN, OCN, CBCN, Cancer AnswerLine. Radiation therapy treats cancer by using high energy to kill tumor cells. Many people who get radiation therapy have skin changes and some fatigue.
What are the changes in the mouth from radiation?
Mouth changes such as soreness, dryness and difficulty swallowing (if radiation to head and neck area)
How to get rid of tiredness after radiation?
You may feel more tired than normal. Eat a balanced, nutritious diet. Depending on the area of your body getting radiation (for example, the belly or pelvic area), your doctor or nurse may suggest changes in your diet. Take care of the skin in the treatment area.
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.
How long does it take for skin to change after radiation?
These side effects depend on which part of the body received radiation therapy and other factors. Skin changes from radiation therapy usually go away a few weeks after treatment ends. If skin damage becomes a serious problem, your doctor may change your treatment plan. Lotion may help with skin changes, but be sure to check with your nurse or other health care team about which cream they recommend and when to apply it. It is also best to protect affected skin from the sun. Learn more about skin-related side effects.
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.
How to treat itchy skin after radiation?
Avoid scratching the skin even if itchy. Report any skin problems to your doctor. 5 Your doctor may be able to prescribe an ointment or cream to reduce discomfort.
How long does radiation therapy last?
For most people, the period of external radiation therapy treatment spans over many weeks. The radiation dosage and the number of treatments are based on a few different factors: 1 The type of cancer 1 2 The size of the cancer 3 The location of the cancer 4 Your general health 5 Any other treatments you may be undergoing 1
What are the factors that determine the amount of radiation therapy?
The radiation dosage and the number of treatments are based on a few different factors: The type of cancer 1 . The size of the cancer. The location of the cancer. Your general health. Any other treatments you may be undergoing 1 . In addition to killing cancer cells, radiation therapy can also damage healthy body tissue around ...
Does radiation kill cancer cells?
In addition to killing cancer cells, radiation therapy can also damage healthy body tissue around the area being treated, which is why you will need to take special care to protect yourself from the potential side effects.
Can radiation cause hair loss?
The types of skin problems that occur as a result of radiation therapy include: These side effects occur in the area being exposed to radiation. People may also lose hair in the area being treated.
Does skin reaction go away after radiation?
Even though most skin reactions go away over time after radiation therapy treatment has ended, there are some cases where the treated skin will stay darker or be more sensitive than it was before treatment. Ask your medical team if you should be protecting your skin with sunscreen at any point and take extra care to be gentle with your skin.
Can you use ice cream after radiation?
Do not apply any cream two hours before or immediately after therapy unless directed by a doctor as some skin cream products may change the radiation dosage that enters the body. Use only lukewarm water cleanse the area during bathing. Do not put heating pads, heat lamps, or ice packs on the treatment area since even hot water may hurt your skin.
How does radiation damage cells?
Radiation therapy damages cells by destroying the genetic material that controls how cells grow and divide. While both healthy and cancerous cells are damaged by radiation therapy, the goal of radiation therapy is to destroy as few normal, healthy cells as possible.
Why do people get radiation therapy?
Why it's done. More than half of all people with cancer receive radiation therapy as part of their cancer treatment. Doctors use radiation therapy to treat just about every type of cancer. Radiation therapy is also useful in treating some noncancerous (benign) tumors.
What is the treatment for cancer?
Radiation therapy. External beam radiation uses high-powered beams of energy to kill cancer cells. Beams of radiation are precisely aimed at the cancer using a machine that moves around your body. Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses beams of intense energy to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy most often uses X-rays, but ...
What type of radiation is used in X-rays?
The term "radiation therapy" most often refers to external beam radiation therapy. During this type of radiation, the high-energy beams come from a machine outside of your body that aims the beams at a precise point on your body.
What is external beam radiation therapy?
During external beam radiation therapy, you're positioned on a table and a large machine moves around you sending beams of radiation into precise points in your body.
What is the purpose of radiation beams?
The precise dose and focus of radiation beams used in your treatment is carefully planned to maximize the radiation to your cancer cells and minimize the harm to surrounding healthy tissue.
How long does it take for cancer to respond to radiation?
In some cases, your cancer may respond to treatment right away. In other cases, it may take weeks or months for your cancer to respond.
What to expect when getting radiation therapy?
What to Expect When Having Radiation Therapy. It is normal to feel worried or overwhelmed when you learn that you will need radiation therapy. However, learning more about this type of cancer treatment may help you feel more prepared and comfortable.
How long does radiation therapy last?
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.
What is the role of a dosimetrist in radiation?
Dosimetrist. The dosimetrist helps your radiation oncologist calculate the right dose of radiation.
What type of doctor is responsible for radiation therapy?
Radiation oncologist. This type of doctor specializes in giving radiation therapy to treat cancer. A radiation oncologist oversees radiation therapy treatments. They work closely with other team members to develop the treatment plan. Radiation oncology nurse.
What is simulation in radiation therapy?
Simulating and planning treatment. Your first radiation therapy session is a simulation. This means it is a practice run without giving radiation therapy. Your team will use imaging scans to identify the tumor location.
What is radiation oncology nurse?
Radiation oncology nurse. This nurse specializes in caring for people receiving radiation therapy. A radiation oncology nurse plays many roles, including:
Why is it important to be in the same position for radiation?
It is important for your body to be in the same position for each treatment. Your radiation oncology team cares about your comfort. Talk with the team to find a comfortable position that you can be in every time you come in for radiation therapy.
How to reduce side effects of radiation?
You can reduce the risk of side effects by following these tips: Wash the treated skin gently every day with warm water. Washing helps remove bacteria from your skin, which can cause an infection.
How to avoid skin irritation from radiation?
To avoid irritating your skin, skip the washclothes, sponges, and loofahs. Instead, use your hands to gently splash water on the treated skin.
How to get rid of a rash from cancer?
This can irritate your skin, which could cause a painful rash. Apply moisturizer every day as directed. This helps your skin recover more quickly from treatment, but don’t apply moisturizer to a wound. Be sure to use only the moisturizer that your cancer team recommends, and apply it as directed.
How to heal a wound after cancer treatment?
Apply moisturizer every day as directed. This helps your skin recover more quickly from treatment, but don’t apply moisturizer to a wound. Be sure to use only the moisturizer that your cancer team recommends, and apply it as directed.
What to do if you don't remember sunscreen?
Your care team will recommend skin care products that you can use, including sunscreen. If you don’t remember getting a recommendation for sunscreen, ask someone on your care team which sunscreen you should use. Seek shade when outdoors.
What to wear when you have radiation?
Wear loose-fitting clothes. You can develop side effects if clothing rubs against skin that been treated with radiation. Wearing loose-fitting clothing helps to prevent these side effects.
Does radiation therapy cause skin rash?
Radiation therapy plays an important role in treating cancer. However, it can also produce some uncomfortable or even painful side effects on the skin, such as itchiness, redness, blistering, and peeling.
What does it look like after radiation?
It may look like a sunburn. The skin may be itchy, dry, red or sore. These changes are an expected part of your therapy and are temporary. Your team will look at your skin to monitor for changes. In some cases, you may need to stop radiation treatments for a short period to allow the skin to heal.
How long does it take for skin to react to radiation?
Skin Reactions From Radiation. Each time radiation therapy is given, small amounts are absorbed by the skin in the area being treated. About 2 to 3 weeks after your first radiation treatment, you may notice redness and/or irritation in the area of treatment. It may look like a sunburn.
How to treat a swollen face with Neutrogena?
Avoid rubbing with a washcloth or bath scrubbies/sponges. Use the palm of your hand to gently wash the skin in the treatment area. Dry skin gently. Pat, don't rub, using a soft towel.
Should radiation patients take special care?
All patients receiving radiation therapy should take special care to protect and care for their skin. Ways to do this are:
Do you need special treatment for radiation?
Minor skin reactions caused by radiation therapy do not often need any special treatment. They should be brought to the attention of your radiation team. If, however, the skin reactions become worse or if you sustain additional damage to your skin, treatment may be needed.
Can you use make up in a hair removal treatment?
Do not use make up or cosmetics in the treatment area. Do not use skin products that contain scents or perfumes. Radiation often causes the hair in the field of treatment to fall out. This is often temporary, though for some it may become permanent.
Can you smoke while on radiation treatment?
Do not smoke. Smoking has been found to worsen radiation related skin reactions. Talk to your treatment team before swimming, including chlorinated pools, hot tubs and non-chlorinated water (lakes, rivers). Check the skin in the treatment area daily.
What does radiation treatment look like?
Your skin in the radiation treatment area might look red, irritated, swollen, blistered,sunburned, or tanned2. After a few weeks, your skin might become dry, flaky, or itchy, orit may peel. This is sometimes called radiation dermatitis. It’s important to let yourcancer care team know about any skin changes. They can suggest ways to ease thediscomfort, lessen further irritation, and prevent infection.
How to reduce side effects of radiation?
One way to reduce side effects is by using radioprotective drugs, but these are onlyused for certain types of radiation given to certain parts of the body. These drugs aregiven 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 peoplewith head and neck cancer to reduce the mouth problems caused by radiation therapy.
How long does it take for a lung to be inflamed after radiation?
Radiation pneumonitis is inflammation of the lungs that can be caused by radiationtreatment to the chest (or less often, the breast). It may occur about 3 to 6 months aftergetting radiation therapy. It’s more likely if you have other lung diseases, likeemphysema (which involves gradual damage of lung tissue). Common symptoms ofradiation pneumonitis include:
What happens if you have radiation implants?
If your treatment includes brachytherapy (internal radiation implants), you might noticebreast tenderness, tightness, redness, and bruising. You may also have some of thesame side effects that happen with external radiation treatment. Let your cancer careteam know about any problems you notice.
Does radiation affect heart valves?
Getting radiation to the middle portion of the chest can raise your risk of heart disease.This risk increases with higher radiation doses and larger treatment areas in this part ofyour body. Radiation can also cause hardening of the arteries (which can make youmore likely to have a heart attack later on), heart valve damage, or irregular heartbeats.
Can radiation therapy cause low blood count?
Rarely, radiation therapy can cause changes in your blood count levels4. These bloodcells help your body fight infection and prevent bleeding. If your blood tests show lowblood counts, your treatment might be stopped for a week or so to allow your bloodcounts to return to normal. This side effect is more likely if you’re also gettingchemotherapy.
Can radiation cause hair loss?
Forinstance, radiation to your head may cause you to lose some or all the hair on yourhead (even eyebrows and lashes), but if you get treatment to your hip, you won’t losethe hair on your head.