Radiation Therapy Side Effects
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Side effects are problems that can happen as a result of
treatment. They may happen with radiation therapy because
the high doses of radiation used to kill cancer cells can also
damage healthy cells in the treatment area. Side effects are
different for each person. Some people have many side effects;
others have hardly any. Side effects may be more severe if you
also receive chemotherapy before, during, or after your
radiation therapy.
Talk to your radiation therapy team about your chances of
having side effects. The team will watch you closely and ask if
you notice any problems. If you do have side effects or other
problems, your doctor or nurse will talk with you about ways to
manage them.
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Common
Side Effects
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Many people who get radiation therapy have skin changes and
some fatigue. Other side effects depend on the part of your
body being treated.
Skin changes may include dryness, itching, peeling, or blistering.
These changes occur because radiation therapy damages healthy
skin cells in the treatment area. You will need to take special
care of your skin during radiation therapy. To learn more,
see "Skin Changes".
Fatigue is often described as feeling worn out or exhausted.
There are many ways to manage fatigue. To learn more,
see "Fatigue".
Depending on the part of your body being treated, you may
also have:
- Diarrhea
- Hair loss in the treatment area
- Mouth problems
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sexual changes
- Swelling
- Trouble swallowing
- Urinary and bladder changes
Most of these side effects go away within 2 months after
radiation therapy is finished.
Late side effects may first occur 6 or more months after
radiation therapy is over. They vary by the part of your body
that was treated and the dose of radiation you received. Late
side effects may include infertility, joint problems,
lymphedema, mouth problems, and secondary cancer.
Everyone is different, so talk to your doctor or nurse about
whether you might have late side effects and what signs to look
for. See "Late Radiation Therapy Side Effects" for more information on late side effects.
"Radiation Therapy Side Effects and Ways to Manage Them" explains each side effect in more detail
and includes ways you and your doctor or nurse can help
manage them.
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