Side-Effects of Radiation Therapy

Side-Effects of Radiation Therapy

The extent and the type of side effects are determined by the location of the tumour and the location of the radiation being delivered. Your radiation oncologist will explain you the expected side effects depending on your body parts involved in radiation treatment.  It’s a local treatment so it will not affect the immune system entirely.

Skin changes: Skin changes such as itching, dryness or peeling can be seen due to radiation therapy to that particular part. However, these symptoms usually go away a few weeks after the treatment ends. If the skin damage is severe, your doctor may prescribe medication to treat the skin or change the treatment plan.

Sickness: Depending on the part of your body being treated you may feel nauseous or be sick during your course of treatment. This does not happen to everyone. If you do feel sick, please tell your radiation oncologists or nurse as it can be controlled by tablets or diet.

Diarrhoea: Radiotherapy to pelvic or lower abdominal region may cause diarrhoea towards the end of the treatment. Your doctor will prescribe medicines for the same. It is temporary and relives with medicines or after finishing the radiotherapy treatment.

Urinary frequency or urgency: If you are having treatment to your lower abdomen/pelvis you may find that you pass urine more often and may experience discomfort when doing so. Drinking extra fluids will help, but try to avoid alcohol, excessive tea and coffee as these can irritate your bladder. If this happens to you please tell the staff treating you, so that your urine can be tested for any infection, which could then be treated with appropriate medication.

Sore mouth/ulcers and throat: This happens only if you are having treatment to this part of your body. If it is likely to be a problem, your radiation oncologist will explain how to look after your mouth and throat, or give you advice on chewing and swallowing difficulties.

Hair loss: Hair loss only occurs where treatment is given. For example you will only lose the hair on your head if your head is being treated, and you will lose your chest hair if your chest is being treated. Whether or not it grows again will depend on how much radiation you have been given. Your oncologist will explain what this means for you. If your hair is expected to grow again, this should happen within a few months of the end of your treatment.

Some side effects will be long term like dryness of mouth and some will occur after a long gap like rectal bleeding or shrinkage of scar, fibrosis, impaired hearing, decreased sexual function, infertility, and cataract. These long term side effects can be managed with medication or surgical intervention.