Most side effects will go away 1 to 2 weeks after your treatment is done. The side effects of radiation therapy vary and depend on the type and location of cancer, treatment dose, and your overall health. Progress in molecular radiobiology has improved the understanding of the pathogenesis of side effects that develop months or years after radiotherapy has been completed. Early side effects happen shortly after you receive radiation therapy. If you are going to have chemotherapy, the side effects of this will be discussed with you separately. Computer radiation harmful effects and protection products. The goal is to destroy or damage the cancer without hurting too many healthy cells. Radiation may be used alone or with other treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, hormones, or targeted therapy. Radiation is a standard part of treatment for a large group of cancer types. Side effects from radiation treatment to the abdomen and. Early management of side effects has been shown to help patients live longer, better lives. Radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer. This exposure is unprecedented and not experienced by previous generations male and female reproductive systems are also at risk from emf exposure. Early side effects, such as nausea and fatigue, usually dont last long.
This book provides clear guidance on how to manage a wide range of side effects frequently encountered when treating patients with radiation therapy. Acute side effects of radiation therapy a guide to. Some of them show up quickly, but many wait years to show up. How are side effects of radiation therapy diagnosed and treated. Conrado avendano and his colleagues of nascentis medicina reproductiva in cordoba found that the use of a laptop computer. Fatigue is common during radiation therapy and may last for several weeks after treatment ends. It can also affect other structures in the treatment area. Radiation therapy to the spine for two or more weeks you will receive radiation therapy to your spine. Many will be shortterm side effects that occur during treatment or within a few weeks of finishing. Ongoing and proactive communication will enable your doctor to manage your side effects as early as possible to prevent. Radiation therapy has side effects because it not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells, it can also affect nearby healthy cells. The radiation team stays in risks of the treatment they will ask you to read and sign a consent form.
Pdf over onethird of americans use complementary and alternative medicine cam. Find out more about some of the most common side effects. Unlike chemotherapy, which exposes the entire body to. Early and late side effects may include any of the following. Urinary and bladder problems and cancer treatment side. Radiation health effects ionizing radiation ionizing radiation radiation with so much energy it can knock electrons out of atoms. Side effects of radiation therapy what you need to know. Side effects may happen with radiation therapy because the high. Some cancer treatments, such as those listed below, may cause urinary and bladder problems radiation therapy to the pelvis including reproductive organs, the bladder, colon and rectum can irritate the bladder and urinary tract. Radiation side effects it is used after almost all lumpectomies and sometimes after mastectomy to kill any remaining cancer cells in the breast area. Side effects and complications depend on total radiation dose, treatment volume, and. Radiation oncologytoxicity gradingrtog wikibooks, open. Typically, patients will feel most fatigued toward the end of radiation.
Radiation health effects radiation protection us epa. Some types of chemotherapy and immunotherapy can also affect or damage. Preventing or reducing late side effects of radiation therapy. It is important to talk to your doctor about any problems you experience. The possible side effects with external beam radiation therapy for a brain tumour can be divided into three groups. Urinary and bladder problems and cancer treatment side effects. Side effects from radiation therapy vary from person to person and depend on the part of the body being treated, the dose of radiation given, the size of the treatment area and if you are receiving chemotherapy prior, during or after radiation. Your doctor or nurse will discuss external beam radiation therapy, its benefits and side effects, and ways you can care for yourself during and after treatment. The radiation team will talk with you about these things. Radiation therapy to the pelvis can irritate the large and small intestines and cause digestive problems. Pdf managing radiation therapy side effects with complementary. Your treatment will begin a few days or weeks after. Some common side effects from radiation include skin irritation, dryness or soreness in the mouth and throat, trouble swallowing, taste changes, and fatigue. During treatment you may find your skin becomes dry and irritated.
Side effects of radiation therapy canadian cancer society. Over time, you may notice firmness or shrinkage of the breast. It is important to talk to your radiation team about possible side effects and tips for managing them. The treatment usually involves exposing the breast, or part of the breast, to high energy xrays. Some side effects depend on the type and location of radiation therapy. Radiation therapy and you national cancer institute. Jun 14, 2018 radiation treatment can cause side effects, but theyre different for everyone. If your treatment plan includes radiation therapy, knowing how it works and what to expect can often help you prepare for treatment and make informed decisions. Some of the symptoms of this include diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting and feeling dizzy. This handout gives a general description of the side effects you may experience when receiving radiation therapy to the mouth, throat and neck. Some people experience many side effects, while others have very few or none. Internal radiation for cervical cancer university of utah. The side effects you experience will vary depending on the dose of radiation and the length of the treatment.
This 1page printable pdf gives an introduction to radiation therapy, including an overview of the different types of radiation, what to expect during treatment, possible side effects, terms to know, and questions to ask the health care team. It consists of infrared, visible light, and everything else on the electromagnetic spectrum. Side effects of radiation therapy to the head and neck may include. Preventing and controlling side effects is a major focus of your health care team, so talk with them about any side effects you experience. Radiation sickness symptoms and causes mayo clinic.
Pdf the aim of this study was to observe the most common radiotherapy related acute side effects and the effective modulating treatment of. The risk of side effects of an xray while you are pregnant is extremely minimal, but it is always important to protect the developing fetus from harm. A dose that causes some discomfort in one patient may cause no side effects in other patients. 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. Conditions such as anemia, as well as pain, medications, and emotions, can also cause or worsen fatigue people often describe cancerrelated fatigue as feeling extremely tired, weak, heavy, run down, and having no energy. Radiation therapy can irritate the mucous membranes lining the mouth, throat and upper part of the esophagus. Managing radiation therapy side effects cancer council nsw. If side effects occur, you should inform the technologists and radiation oncologist, because treatment is almost always available and effective. Side effects vary from patient to patient and depend on which area of the spine is being treated. Following are the body parts that are most commonly affected by the radiation.
Late side effects can happen months to years after you receive radiation therapy. Unlike chemotherapy, which exposes the entire body to cancerfighting chemicals, radiation therapy af. There are two types of common side effects with radiation treatment to the abdomen and pelvis. Radiation may be given to the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. Some people may try to convince you that the negative health effects of electromagnetic radiation are simply a hoax thought up by extremely paranoid people. Ionizing radiation can affect the atoms in living things, so it poses a health risk by damaging tissue and dna in genes. Longterm side effects of radiation therapy if you have undergone radiation therapy radiotherapy for cancer treatment, it is normal to have concerns about potential longterm side effects. Radiation therapy most commonly affects the skin of the breast and nearby areas.
Details of the treatment how many treatment sessions you will need possible side effects and how to manage them in the treatment room. Side effects may happen with radiation therapy because the high doses of radiation used to kill. Even people who are aware of this fact often ignore it, but once you know all of the adverse effects this type of radiation can have on your health, you start to pay more attention. Radiation is used to kill cancer cells and may also damage healthy cells in the process. One of the major concerns that patients have is how to manage the side effects of the treatments. Managing fatigue is an important part of your cancer treatment plan. Many factors can affect the type and severity of side effects, including. Other side effects include a feeling of sickness, nausea, dizziness, and sweating.
There are risks associated with every component of the radiotherapy prescription. Preventing or reducing late side effects of radiation. Side effects of radiation therapy to the chest may include. The side effects are specific to the area being treated, so two patients being treated for different cancers could have very different experiences. Feb 03, 2020 early side effects happen shortly after you receive radiation therapy. We have medicines and strategies to prevent and minimize most radiation side effects. Notify the healthcare team of any changes you notice or concerns you may have. Doctors try to protect healthy cells during treatment by.
Review the radiation therapy plan with your doctor, including all potential side effects. Fatigue is a very common side effect from radiation therapy and you will probably experience it at some point during your radiation treatments. The effects of prolonged emf exposure can be cumulative and will span childrens lifetimes. Radiation side effects living beyond breast cancer. Side effects of radiation therapy radiation therapy to the breast can cause some side effects. Many will be shortterm side effects that occur during treatment or within a few weeks of finishing side effects can take several weeks to get better, though some may continue longer. Over the last 100 years, ongoing advances in the techniques of radiation treatment and progress made in understanding the biology of cancer cell responses to radiation will endeavor to increase the survival and reduce treatment side effects for cancer patients. The side effects of radiation cause ionization of atoms which affects the molecules of the human body which further affects the cells, tissues, organs, and the whole body. They are still possible, though less likely, with internal partialbreast radiation if you notice new side effects a year or more after radiation. Understand the tests that will be done to monitor side effects. Radiation therapy uses highenergy particles or waves to destroy or damage cancer cells.
Fatigue and cancer treatment side effects national cancer. Radiation therapy side effects national cancer institute. When the radiation exposure is more than 200 rems, the hair loss becomes quick and it occurs in. It is very important that you communicate with your doctors about the side effects that you are experiencing as you undergo treatment. Easing worries about radiation therapy its normal to worry about possible side effects of radiation therapy. These problems often start several weeks after radiation therapy begins and go away several weeks after treatment has been completed. Radiation may be used to cure or shrink earlystage cancer, stop cancer from coming back, or to treat symptoms when cancer has spread.
First, understand that radiation is an umbrella term for traveling electromagnetic waves. Radiation therapy to the pelvis including reproductive organs, the bladder, colon and rectum can irritate the bladder and urinary tract. Side effects of radiation therapy cancer council nsw. External radiation side effects worksheet external radiation therapy uses special equipment to deliver high doses of radiation to cancerous tumors, killing or damaging them so they cannot grow, multiply, or spread. Cancer and radiation therapy international journal of medical. Radiation therapy to the head and neck area you will be having four to eight weeks of radiation treatment to the head and neck area.
Radiation therapy aimed at a persons head or neck may cause these side effects. Taking short walks and getting light exercise can actually increase most peoples energy level. Discuss what can be done to prevent or treat side effects. The side effects of radiation therapy vary from patient to patient and depend upon what type of cancer you have, where your treatment doses are located, and how healthy you were prior to starting treatment. Radiation to the upper part of the chest can irritate the throat and esophagus. Side effects can vary even among people having the same type of radiation therapy to the same part of the body. The chance of experiencing side effects, however, is highly variable. Radiation therapy and side effects radiation therapy uses xrays to kill cancer cells. Managing the adverse effects of radiation therapy american. These are usually side effects of external beam radiation. It is one of the most common treatments for cancer, either by itself or along with other forms of. The risk of longterm problems after radiation therapy is very low, less than 5 percent. Diarrhea requiring parenteral support severe mucous or blood discharge necessitating sanitary pads abdominal distention flat plate radiograph demonstrates distended bowel loops for all.
Fatigue is a common side effect of many cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplant, and surgery. Radiation is the energy released from atoms as either a wave or a tiny particle of matter. You will meet with a radiation therapy nurse to discuss skin care and how to cope with possible side effects. Common side effects are skin irritation and fatigue. Late side effects of radiation therapy may be permanent. Progress in molecular radiobiology has improved the understanding of the pathogenesis of side effects that develop months or years after radiotherapy has. Xrays dangers, side effects, uses, and pregnancy safety. Side effects of radiation therapy virginia cancer institute. The side effects of radiation therapy, a common cancer treatment, vary from person to person and depend on how often treatment is given and a few other key factors. Side effects of radiation therapy aftercare instructions. Radiation therapy to treat lymphoma and cancers of the lung, esophagus, spinal cord and breast is often directed at structures within the chest.
How much radiation does the computer monitor screen emit. Radiation therapy is given after a lumpectomy surgery and sometimes after mastectomy. Your healthcare provider will ask you about your symptoms and decide if they are side effects. Harmful effects of radiation radiation is defined as the protection of human beings and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation while permitting its beneficial applications. Sometimes combined with chemotherapy, sometimes used on its own, and even sometimes with a mixture of other traditional treatments, surgery, and drugs. Medicine may be given to protect healthy tissue and prevent side effects of radiation therapy. Fortunately, not everyone experiences side effects and for those who do, side effects are rarely serious. Table 1 lists adverse effects of radiation therapy, including risk factors and treatment recommendations. How soon might i have side effects from radiation therapy. It is important to remember that the type and severity of the side effect will vary greatly from person to person, depending on the location of the area being treated and dose of radiation being given. Radiation sickness is caused by exposure to a high dose of radiation, such as a high dose of radiation received during an industrial accident. Persistent diarrhea causes the body to lose large amounts of water and nutrients, and in some instances may cause dehydration. There are several hidden side effects that you may or may not be told to expect.
You may also have mild tanning of the skin where the breast was treated or red discoloration, especially around. Radiation therapy treats cancer by using highenergy waves to kill tumor cells. Sideeffects of radiation therapy for cancer treatment. This may cause side effects to happen anywhere in the body where radiation therapy is given. Answers to these questions may help you understand the need for radiation therapy. Other side effects depend on the part of the body that is being treated. Many people who get radiation therapy experience fatigue. Fatigue and cancer treatment side effects national. Types of radiation different treatment types include external beam radiation and internal radiation therapy delivered orally, through an iv, or as an implant.
You should always tell your healthcare professional if you are or think you may be pregnant if an xray exam is prescribed xray examinations of areas of the body including the arms, legs, chest, head, or teeth do not expose your. Nuclear radiation side effects from 4 and 8 gy can often prove to be fatal but this factor is dependent on exposure levels. Side effects of radiation to the abdomen may include. Fatigue includes feelings of tiredness, exhaustion, andor decreased amount of energy to complete tasks. Diarrhea sometimes occurs as a sideeffect of radiation.
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