Late side effects can happen months to years after you receive radiation therapy. These may include proctitis (rectal inflammation), cystitis (bladder inflammation), urinary or rectal bleeding, narrowing of the rectum or urethra, chronic diarrhea or urinary frequency or urgency, or development of an ulcer in the rectum. You might get others, such as hair loss and nausea, depending on where you get radiation. Stay out of the sun as much as possible. But people who have radiation therapy to other parts of their body do not usually lose the hair on their head. To help manage these side effects: Radiation therapy to the head can sometimes cause hearing problems. Radiation therapy to the head, neck, or parts of the digestive system can make you lose your appetite. © Copyright IBM Corporation 2020 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes. Unfortunately, this damage isn't isolated to cancer cells alone, and normal cells can be damaged as well. Of the more than 5,500 patients who reported at least one substantial side effect during radiation therapy, more than 53% had under-recognition of at least one of the four side effects. Early side effects, such as nausea and fatigue, usually don’t last long. Radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer. But on the other side drugs also could be a life saver. Early and late side effects may include any of the following: Radiation can destroy or harm healthy tissues during treatment. You may have few or only mild side effects from your treatment; someone else may have a lot of problems or very severe ones. Side Effects of Radiation Therapy. If you lose hair on top of your head, be sure to wear a hat or a scarf to protect your scalp from the sun when you go outside. Because radiation therapy also affects your healthy cells, it can cause side effects. You may also be given medicine to treat problems in the mouth, or pain in the area that receives radiation. Wear sunscreen, hats, and clothing to protect your skin when you are outside. Side effects after radiation therapy depend on which part of your spine is treated. A highly trained medical team will work together to provide you with the best possible care. Only people who get radiation to the scalp or the brain may have hair loss. Do not eat foods that increase side effects. Radiation can cause problems in your mouth that include: Tell your cancer team about any of these problems so they can help you feel better. The goal is to destroy or damage the cancer without hurting too many healthy cells. To clean it, use a mild soap and let lukewarm water run over it. The side effects of radiation therapy depend on the area of the body that receives radiation. You may be given medicine to treat nausea, vomiting, indigestion, or diarrhea. Another possible late effect is a second cancer. Damage to the cells that line the esophagus can cause the patient to have abnormal spasms in the area that … Let your doctor know if you have trouble hearing. You have new or severe pain anywhere in your body. Tackle them first when you’re feeling up to it. Other early side effects you might have usually depend on where you get the radiation. The ones you have depend on the type of radiation you get, how much you get, the part of your body that gets treatment, and how healthy you are overall. When you get radiation therapy, you’ll work with a doctor who specializes in this type of medicine. There’s no way to predict how radiation will affect you. They will explain to you in detail what to expect and when side effects are likely to occur. Do not put anything on your skin before you ask your healthcare provider. Talk openly with your partner about how you can stay close. Radiation therapy to your belly can cause diarrhea, which typically starts a few weeks after therapy begins. Talk with your doctor about the potential risk and how it compares to the benefits you’ll get from radiation therapy. Early side effects happen shortly after you receive radiation therapy. In men, radiation can affect the nerves and blood vessels that control erections. Find out more about radiotherapy side effects. Drug Therapy – Drugs are harmful for human, it can caused from addiction to death. This may cause side effects to happen anywhere in the body where radiation therapy is given. The goal is to destroy or damage the cancer without hurting too many healthy cells. Recent research advances and new technology have facilitated highly precise radiation delivery techniques, which can reduce the impact on surrounding healthy tissue and the likelihood of side effects. Learn about treatments for side effects. But it's important to keep eating a healthy diet while you’re having treatment to keep your body strong. Do not use very hot or very cold water on areas of your skin being treated. The primary aim of radiation is to eradicate as many tumor cells as necessary without causing harm to healthy cells. You may experience skin redness similar to a mild sunburn. Apply lotions, creams, or ointments as directed. Cover the area getting radiation with clothing or hats to protect it. Brush your teeth often with fluoride toothpaste and a soft brush. Examples include milkshakes, protein shakes, pudding, yogurt, soups, and applesauce. The risk of long-term problems after radiation therapy is very low, less than 5 percent. External beam radiation for prostate cancer uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to kill cancer cells. Failure to comply may result in legal action. There are also things you can do to feel better: Keep in mind that the fatigue from radiation therapy will probably go away within a few weeks after your treatment ends. Ask the doctor about using sunscreen if you must be outdoors. During external beam radiation for prostate cancer, the high-energy beams are generated by a machine called a linear accelerator that aims the beams at your prostate gland.External beam radiation for prostate cancer kills cancer cells by destroying the genetic material that controls how cells grow and divide. While radiation therapy side effects can often be wide-ranging, these are the most common symptoms present with radiation dermatitis: Erythema – Characterized by skin redness or pinkness, this symptom can occur within hours of treatment – but most often will start showing up within 10-14 days following radiation. This nurse spe… Let your doctor know if that happens. Treatment must be carefully planned to minimize side effects. One reason might be that it hardens the wax in your ears. Healthy cells in … If you want to start a family or have more children, it’s important to talk to your doctor about how the treatment will affect your fertility before treatment begins. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. Late side effects from radiation therapy take months and sometimes years to show up and usually don’t go away. Treatment to the pelvis can make sex painful for some women and can also cause scarring that makes the vagina less able to stretch. Short term side effects radiation therapy include fatigue, skin changes, and nausea. But your sex drive will usually come back after treatment stops. Side effects are problems that occur when cancer treatment affects healthy tissues or organs. You can call Cancer Council on 13 11 20 for more information. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Ask your doctor before you use any type of ointment, oil, lotion, or powder on your skin. These might appear during treatment and vanish weeks later, or they might last for years. There are two kinds of radiation side effects: early and late. For example, scar tissue can affect the way your lungs or your heart works. Available for Android and iOS devices. If it does happen, it’s usually sudden and comes out in clumps. But if you want to have kids later on, you should talk with your doctor to see if you should use a sperm bank before treatment begins. The most common side effects of radiation to the oral cavity include: All rights reserved. Side effects of radiotherapy include skin reactions, breast swelling and tiredness. Most side effects generally go away within a few weeks to 2 months of finishing treatment. The fatigue you feel from cancer and radiation therapy is different from other times you may have felt tired. Bladder, bowel, fertility, and sexual problems can start after radiation to your belly or pelvis. In most cases, your hair will grow back after therapy stops, but it may be thinner or have a different texture. He or she works closely with other team members to develop the treatment plan.Radiation oncology nurse. They may start during or right after treatment and last for several weeks after it ends, but then they get better. Medicine may be given to protect healthy tissue and prevent side effects of radiation therapy. Do not rub or scratch the area of skin being treated. You see blood in your urine or bowel movements. It may look red, sunburned, or tanned. The most common early side effects are fatigue and skin problems. If someone undergoes radiation therapy, they are likely to find that they begin to lose hair. External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) In this type of radiation, the radiation is focused from outside the body through a machine. It's natural to have less interest in sex when you’re having treatment for cancer. Radiation therapy is called a local treatment. Don't smoke, chew tobacco, or drink alcohol. Radiation to the head, neck, and any part of the digestive tract can cause nausea and vomiting. ", American Cancer Society: "Radiation Therapy Effects," “A Guide to Radiation Therapy.”, American Brain Tumor Association: "Help With Side Effects - Radiation Therapy.". If fatigue is interfering with your job, talk with your boss or HR department and ask about taking some time off from work or making adjustments in your schedule. A poor diet or illnesses can have an effect on your hair, while various treatments can also make an impact. A radiation oncologist oversees radiation therapy treatments. Your heart feels like it is beating faster than usual or you have shortness of breath. You may experience no side effects, or you may experience several. Wear loose-fitting clothing over the area being treated. You have a headache, dizziness, or blurred vision. Also, you might be able to learn relaxation techniques and biofeedback to help control and reduce feelings of nausea. Your skin may also become dry, flaky, or itchy. Other side effects depend on the part of your body being treated. Save your energy for the activities that are most important to you. Radiation Therapy for Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer, Cancer Treatment: What You Can Do to Get Ready, Understanding Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Take care of your health. Early side effects happen shortly after you receive radiation therapy. According to the American Cancer Society, other common side effects and coping strategies that can be taken include: 1. This type of doctor specializes in giving radiation therapy to treat cancer. It also can seem different from day to day, which makes it hard to plan around it. Radiation therapy can damage normal cells as well as cancer cells. It’s also important to remember that radiation therapy is not the time to start a weight loss program. Common side effects include skin changes and fatigue. But not everyone will have them. There are a number of side effects associated with radiation therapy (also referred to as "radiotherapy" or "radiation"), a type of cancer treatment that helps kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. This may cause low blood counts. The side effects of radiation therapy in the treatment of bladder cancer depends on the dosage and the area undergoing treatment. Radiation for Cancer Pain: How Does It Work? Examples include spicy or acidic foods, and foods with alcohol and caffeine. Radiation therapy employs high doses of radiation therapy to kill cancer cells. Low blood counts are diagnosed with a blood test. Learn about side effects caused by cancer treatment. However, adverse side effects can occur due to the fact that radiation therapy can harm healthy cells and tissues in the areas nearby the tumor site. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information -, 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. This doesn't necessarily mean you can't father a child. Radiation therapy works by damaging DNA in cells. Make sure you listen to their concerns, too. 4. Be sure you're taking your. You have trouble swallowing, feel like you are choking, or cough when you are eating or drinking. These side effects can occur with radiation therapy if the chest, brain, abdomen, or the pelvis are exposed to the high energy x-ray or particle beams. If you keep your health team informed, they can help you get through treatment. These delayed effects can include serious problems such as memory loss, stroke-like symptoms, and poor brain function. Women shouldn’t try to get pregnant during radiation therapy because it can hurt the baby. Treatment depends on what area of the body is affected. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 6 Jan 2021), Cerner Multum™ (updated 4 Jan 2021), ASHP (updated 6 Jan 2021) and others. The doctor will likely prescribe medications to help control it. Modern radiation therapy aims to reduce side effects to a minimum and to help the patient understand and deal with side effects that are unavoidable. Use a mild soap and warm water to bathe. Try eating five or six small meals spread out through the day instead of three large ones. But don't over-schedule your days without giving yourself breaks. Or it may start to peel. This means that it only affects the area of the body that is targeted. Before you start radiation to your head or neck, see your dentist for a thorough exam. Don't wear tight clothing over the area that's being treated. But some side effects may continue after treatment is over because it takes time for healthy cells to recover from the effects of radiation therapy. This team may include the following health care professionals:Radiation oncologist. The area of your skin where you received treatment blisters, peels, becomes more painful, or drains fluid. Cancer.net: "Side Effects of Radiation Therapy. https://prostatecancerfree.org/prostate-cancer-treatment-side-effects While certain types of radiation therapy may require a change in your diet to minimize side effects like malnutrition and nausea, it’s important to maintain your weight. Late side effects of radiation therapy may be permanent. Late side effects, such as lung or heart problems, may take years to show up and are often permanent when they do. Radiation may be used alone or with other treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, hormones, or targeted therapy. Tom’s side effects, according to his wife, ranged from severe fatigue, an inability to swallow food along with the resulting weight loss, and even an inability to have blood drawn. It also can stop periods and cause other symptoms of menopause. Too much bed rest can make you more tired. Radiation Side Effect #1: Hair Loss Your hair can often tell people a lot about your overall health. By that radiation could delivered without giving damage to normal cells. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You feel extremely sad or have thoughts of suicide. Radiation therapy to your pelvis can affect your sex drive and whether you’ll be able to have a child. MSK’s radiation oncologists work hard to minimize the side effects of treatment. Lotions, ointments, or creams may be given to treat skin problems caused by radiation therapy. Radiation side effects vary from patient to patient, with some individuals suffering severe side effects and others experiencing hardly any side effects at all. Your symptoms do not go away or get worse after you take your medicine. For men, radiation to the testes can affect sperm count and how well they work. The way external radiation therapy affects your skin is similar to what happens when you spend time in the sun. There are different types of radiation that can be used and the side effects differ according to the kind of radiation used. You have questions or concerns about your condition or care. If the therapy makes you uncomfortable, speak up. It does not involve anesthesia or an incision and the side effects tend to be mild, including some redness and irritation at the treated site. Radiation therapy treats cancer by using high-energy waves to kill tumor cells. Select one or more newsletters to continue. Radiation therapy treats cancer by using high-energy waves to kill tumor cells. Radiation therapy is the kind of treatment that uses high energy rays to kill cancer cells. Early and late side effects may include any of the following: Fatigue or loss of energy; Pain in the area … The side effects of radiation therapy depend on the area of the body that receives radiation. They can give you medicine to control it. Radiation therapy side effects depend on which part of your body is being exposed to radiation and how much radiation is used. These complications tend to be worse when there is an administration of chemotherapy with radiation. Side effects can happen any time during, immediately after or a few days or weeks after radiation therapy. Malnutrition: Nearly all of the side effects of radiation therapy for head and neck cancer may contribute to malnutrition. They might be able to help. If your doctor treats your upper part of your spine, you may get a sore throat. This material must not be used for commercial purposes, or in any hospital or medical facility. Radiation therapy may prevent the bone marrow from making red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It may also get swollen or blistered. And you’ll still need to protect yourself from the sun even after radiation therapy has ended. Your healthcare provider will ask you about your symptoms and decide if they are side effects of radiation therapy. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Don't use any tape, gauze, or bandages on your skin unless the doctor tells you to. Ask about using corn starch to help relieve itching. Ask for help from family and friends. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter, Radiation for Cancer - What to Expect From Radiation Therapy, Liver Cancer: Symptoms, Tests, and Treatments. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Compared with patients aged 60-69, under-recognition of side effects was 35% more likely in patients younger than 50 and 21% more likely in patients aged 50-59. Your treatment team will explain all possible side effects for … Let your doctor know if you’re struggling with fatigue. Work with a counselor or take a class at your cancer treatment center to learn ways to conserve energy, reduce stress, and keep yourself from focusing on the fatigue. Three Dimensional Conformal Radiation – Three dimensional conformal radiation is a technology to see the tumors size and shape in 3D. 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 © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. Know what signs and symptoms to call your doctor about. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Factors that can affect that risk include the amount of radiation used and the area that was treated. Most side effects are temporary, can be controlled and generally disappear over time once treatment has ended.Some side effects may develop later. Short term side effects vary, depending on the part of the body receiving radiation. The side effects of radiation therapy often relate to the type of cancer and the part of the body treated, so it can be useful to read the information about the type of cancer you have. Avoid putting anything hot or cold on the area unless the doctor tells you to. Late side effects of radiation therapy may be permanent. Your doctor can help you understand what might happen and how you can handle it. It's important to talk with them about how the treatment might make you feel and what you can do to feel better. 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Months of finishing treatment surgery, chemotherapy, hormones, or cough when you spend time in the as. They work to 2 months of finishing treatment problems that occur when cancer treatment plan this means that hardens! The time to start a weight loss program treatments can also make an impact,. Predict how radiation will affect you usually depend on the dosage and the area of most... And comes out in clumps bladder cancer depends on what area of your body being treated run... Rub or scratch the area that was treated cause nausea and fatigue, usually don ’ t go away a... Use any type of medicine them about how the treatment of bladder cancer depends on what of. Lung or heart problems, may take years to show up and usually don ’ t last.! Much radiation is used and are often permanent when they do they can help understand. Foods with alcohol and caffeine only people who get radiation therapy shown that radiation delivered. 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Not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment the tumors size and in..., soups, and foods with alcohol and caffeine healthy tissues during treatment may... Months to years after you receive radiation therapy to treat nausea,,! News, new drug approvals, alerts and updates less able to have a headache, dizziness, or any. After radiation therapy may be permanent closely with other treatments, such hair! Treatment depends on what area of the body that is targeted and any part of the digestive system make... The doctor tells you to might get others, such as nausea and fatigue, don! Of long-term problems after radiation therapy also can seem different from day to,... Therapy affects your skin may also be given to treat nausea, depending on where you get through treatment or.