Radiation is most often administered using a machine that emits X-ray like rays. This form of radiation is called external beam radiation. Other forms of radiation involve taking radioactive pills or implanting radioactive-like pellets, but these are less common. Many of the common side effects of radiation occur with both external beam radiation and other forms of radiation; however, skin problems and local loss of hair occur only with external beam radiation.
Side effects of radiation vary depending on the patient, but they unusually start within a few days after the first treatment. In some cases, side effects may persist after treatments are finished.
Fatigue
Cancer fatigue is a common side effect associated with radiation. Cancer fatigue may be caused by radiation or by a combination of radiation and other cancer treatments coupled with the stress of being sick. A persistent and chronic fatigue might make it difficult for you to perform daily activities. Sleep and rest might not resolve the feeling of tiredness; you might wake up from a nap or a long night's sleep and still feel fatigued. Fatigue may begin when your radiation treatments start and may get worse the more treatments you have.
Skin Problems
Skin problems and local loss of hair might occur at the spot where the radiation is directed. You won't lose all your hair, as often happens with chemotherapy, because the radiation only kills cells that it touches. In addition to loss of hair at the spot where the radiation is administered, the skin in that spot may also become irritated. The skin may swell, blister, or look sunburned. The skin might also feel dry or itchy or start to peel. It may take a few weeks for the skin to heal after radiation treatments stop. You shouldn't scratch the area or use soap or other products that might irritate the skin further, nor should you wear tight clothing or bandage the skin without talking to your doctor.
Stomach and Eating Problems
Depending on where the radiation is administered, you may experience problems that interfere with your diet. If you get radiation to your head or neck, you might have a hard time swallowing or lose your appetite. You might get mouth sores or have dry mouth or be unable to taste your food. You might also feel nauseated. In addition, you may be more susceptible to getting cavities; if you have dentures, your dentures might not fit anymore because your mouth might swell up.
Radiation to the chest may also make swallowing difficult and cause problems eating. Finally, radiation to the stomach or pelvis can also cause digestive upset, including nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
Low Blood Cell Count
In rare instances, radiation can cause your white blood cell count or platelet count to drop. This can make you more susceptible to infection and cause problems with your immune system. It can also make it hard for your blood to clot. If this happens as a result of your radiation treatments, your doctor may have to postpone treatment for a brief period to help your blood cell counts go back up. You may also become anemic (e.g., have a low red blood cell count) and require a blood transfusion.
Long-Term Side Effects
Radiation can potentially do long-term damage to your body. If you have radiation in the chest, you might have scarring around the lungs that makes it hard to breathe, or you might have heart problems. If you have radiation to the stomach or pelvis, you might experience bladder or bowel dysfunction.
There is also a small risk of developing radiation-induced cancers as a result of radiation therapy, according to the American Cancer Society. Often, these other cancers may not develop for 10 or more years after the treatment.
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