About the Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is one form of cancer treatment to help prevent further spreading of tumors and reduce the size of inoperable tumors. This treatment also has a variety of side effects that are often specific to the areas of treatment. Most of these side effects are temporary, but some can become long term.
Function
Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation (X-rays, electron beams, radioactive isotopes) to destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy damages the chromosomes in cancer cells, thereby preventing the cells from multiplying and spreading. This treatment is sometimes used in addition to chemotherapy to enhance the effects and can be used for pain management and tumor reduction for the tumors that cannot be surgically removed.
Type
There are two types of radiation therapy: brachytherapy and external radiation therapy. Brachytherapy, also called internal radiation therapy, inserts radioactive material directly into or near the tumor. External radiation therapy, the most common radiation therapy, beams radiation directly at the tumors. This form of radiation therapy is usually accomplished in multiple treatments.
Effects
The most common side effects of radiation therapy are fatigue, weakness, lowered infection resistance, hair loss and skin darkening around the area of treatment. However, depending on what specific body parts are being treated, radiation therapy has various side effects.
For treatment of abdominal and pelvic cancers, side effects may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight gain, intestinal irritation, bladder irritation, painful urination, premature menopause, vaginal dryness, erectile dysfunction and radiation enteritis (long term nausea, vomiting and diarrhea).
For treatment of chest cancers, side effects may include sore throat, difficulty swallowing, painful swallowing, coughing and shortness of breath.
For treatment of head and neck cancers, side effects may include sore throat, dry mouth, hair loss and hypothyroidism.
Your oncologist will often be able to prescribe medication to assist with managing these side effects.
Time Frame
The side effects of radiation therapy are usually temporary and often cease after treatment has ended. Unfortunately, long term side effects often occur with treatment of abdominal and pelvic cancers. These may include bowel obstruction, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, frequent urination, bladder irritation, vaginal fibrosis and skin changes around the area of treatment.
Risk Factors
Some side effects are very serious and are not normal with typical radiation therapy. Be sure to contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following: a temperature of over 100 degrees F, swollen tongue, bleeding gums, swollen throat, persistent cough or a cough that produces mucus, blood in urine, blood in stools, and any nausea, vomiting, heartburn or diarrhea that lasts longer than three days. If you are not able to reach your doctor, go to the emergency room.
Tags: side effects, radiation therapy, cancers side, cancers side effects, effects include, long term, nausea vomiting
