Damage to healthy cells can cause side effects. This has reduced this treatment's side effects, compared to radiation therapy techniques used in the past. It can happen all at once or come on slowly. Long-term issues generally occur after huge months and years of the treatment being done. But this can vary with individual experiences. Some people experience few side effects from radiation therapy. Preventing and treating side effects is an important part of your overall cancer treatment. Radiation not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells, it can also affect nearby healthy cells. Will special precautions be needed to protect my family and others from radiation exposure during my treatment period? The side effects will vary depending on the type of chemo drugs or radiation treatment you get. Bombarding cancer cells with radiation will cause damage to the cancer cells’ DNA. If the cancer is in many areas, sometimes the whole brain is treated with radiation. Below is a list of some of the more common late effects. This can cause them to break down, after which they are then be carried away from the body. All of these can be treated. The side effects of whole brain radiation therapy may not be noticeable until a few weeks after treatment begins. Side effects of radiation to the abdomen may include: skin problems; hair loss; nausea and vomiting; indigestion; bloating or gas; loss of appetite; diarrhea; stomach ulcers; radiation enteritis; kidney problems; Side effects of radiation to the pelvis. Chemotherapy and radiation are two of the most effective treatments for cancer. As is to be expected, though, the treatment does have some side-effects. Many people who get radiation therapy have fatigue. The treatment can be used to slow the spread of cancer and even reverse it in some cases. Before your treatment, ask your health care team which physical side effects are possible and what to watch for. This means that it only affects the area of the body that is targeted. Both chemo and radiation can have side effects… Side effects depend on the type of cancer, its location, the radiation therapy dose, your general health, and other factors. Trusted, compassionate information for people with cancer and their families and caregivers, from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the voice of the world’s cancer physicians and oncology professionals. The risk of long-term problems after radiation therapy is very low, less than 5 percent. Physicians did not recognize side effects from radiation therapy in more than half of breast cancer patients who reported a significant symptom, a new … Some occur as soon as treatment begins, while others hit weeks later because of the cumulative effects of chemo medications or exposure to radiation. 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. If I'm worried about managing the financial costs of cancer care, who can help me? Side effects of radiation therapy in breast cancer patients are often missed by doctors, U.S. researchers report. Side effects are caused by the cumulative effect of radiation … Talk with your treatment team about what to expect. Each person experiences different side effects. Sometimes combined with chemotherapy, sometimes used on its own, and even sometimes with a mixture of other traditional treatments, surgery, and drugs.There are several hidden side effects … What are the potential long-term effects of this type of radiation therapy? Patients who receive any type of radiation therapy (external beam or brachytherapy) to treat their prostate cancer can have side effects. Lymphedema: Lymphedema is swelling of the arm, hand, or chest. After treatment is completed, the body will begin to heal this damage, and with the possible exception of salivary function, things will return to normal. 1. Stomach and abdomen:Nausea and vomiting, diarrhea 4. You won’t lose the hair on your head. Survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma, especially those diagnose… In this post, I will describe my experience with radiation therapy including tips and side effects. The Main Side Effects of Radiation Therapy. Some people who receive radiation therapy experience dryness, itching, blistering, or peeling. Most side effects go away after treatment. Major long duration side effects of radiation therapy. Radiation side effects. Skin issues. Side effects from radiation treatment can vary, depending on the area of the body being treated. Side effects from radiation are usually caused by irritation of normal tissue in the treatment area. Discuss this chart with your doctor or nurse. Common physical side effects of radiation therapy include: Skin changes. Making changes to your diet may also reduce symptoms. Short Term Side Effects. But like other cancer treatments, it often causes side effects. Pelvic area:Diarrhea, rectal bleeding, incontinence, or bladder irritation In addition, men and women may experi… Stomach and abdomen. Other radiation therapy side effects you may have depend on the part of the body that is treated. 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 When will they likely begin? Lowered sperm counts and reduced sperm activity. The biggest difference between them is how they're delivered. Who can I talk with if I'm feeling anxious or upset about having this treatment? 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