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It’s common for cancer patients to experience side effects during and after radiation therapy. Fatigue and skin changes are the most common side effects. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can also occur depending on the area being treated. Most side effects go away within a few weeks after treatment ends. Staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, and following skin care instructions can help manage side effects. Tell your care team if side effects become severe so they can adjust the treatment plan. Radiation therapy works by targeting and damaging cancer cells’ DNA so they can’t grow and spread. Healthy cells near the treatment area can also be affected, leading to side effects, but they recover over time.
Radiation therapy is an important treatment option for many types of cancer. High doses of radiation are delivered directly to the tumor to damage cancer cells’ DNA and stop their ability to grow and divide. This causes cancer cells to die over time. Radiation can be used alone or together with surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or hormone therapy to treat cancer.
While radiation is an effective cancer treatment, it does have potential side effects. Radiation therapy aims to target the cancer cells, but surrounding healthy cells can also be affected. This damage to normal cells can result in side effects during and after treatment.
Understanding the potential side effects and how to manage them is an important part of undergoing radiation therapy. Being prepared and working closely with your radiation oncology care team can help minimize discomfort and maintain your quality of life while receiving this important treatment.
Why Does Radiation Therapy Cause Side Effects?
To understand why radiation therapy causes side effects, it helps to know how radiation damages cells. Radiation deposits energy into cells, creating charged particles like electrons that then damage the cells’ DNA, particularly DNA double strand breaks. Cancer cells tend to be less able to repair this DNA damage compared to healthy cells. The cumulative DNA damage causes cancer cells to stop proliferating and die off.
However, healthy cells near the treatment area can also absorb some radiation and experience DNA damage. This affects their ability to grow and function normally. Over time, the normal cells are generally able to repair this damage and recover. But in the shorter term, side effects emerge from the injury to normal tissues.
Side effects are often tied to the area of the body receiving radiation. For example:
Radiation to the abdomen or pelvis
– Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea – radiation can irritate the stomach and bowels
Radiation to the head or neck
– Fatigue, headache – radiation can affect the brain
– Sore mouth, difficulty swallowing – radiation can damage mucous membranes and salivary glands
Radiation to the skin
– Skin irritation, redness, dryness, peeling – radiation affects fast growing outer skin layers
The dose of radiation and the number of treatments also impact side effects. Higher total doses increase the chance of long-term effects. And side effects tend to be more pronounced toward the end of treatment since there is cumulative damage to normal tissues over multiple doses.
Common Side Effects During Radiation Therapy
Many patients have no or minimal side effects during radiation treatment. When side effects do occur, they tend to be most pronounced near the end of treatment. Common side effects during radiation therapy include:
Fatigue
Fatigue related to radiation treatment is often described as feeling weak, weary or lacking energy. It tends to be more pronounced near the end of treatment. Fatigue results from the cumulative effects of radiation on normal cells and tissues over the course of treatment. Getting adequate rest is important. Maintaining good nutrition and staying hydrated can also help manage fatigue.
Skin Changes
Radiation aimed at cancers in the skin or near the surface can damage the skin cells. This can cause:
– Redness, dryness, itching, peeling – Similar to a sunburn
– Hair loss in treatment area
– Increased sensitivity to sun exposure
Following the radiation team’s skin care instructions is important, including washing gently with warm water and unscented soap, using recommended creams and ointments, and avoiding sun exposure.
Nausea and Vomiting
Radiation to the stomach, intestines, liver or brain can cause nausea. Anti-nausea medications can help manage these symptoms. Eating smaller, more frequent meals may also help.
Diarrhea
Abdominal radiation can irritate the bowel and cause diarrhea. Medications may be prescribed to help control diarrhea if needed. Dietary changes like avoiding spicy, greasy or fried foods, alcohol, and high-fiber foods can also help.
Difficulty Swallowing
Head and neck radiation can damage mouth and throat tissues, making it painful to swallow. Trying soft, bland foods, blenderizing foods, taking smaller bites, and proper oral hygiene can ease swallowing difficulties.
Common Side Effects After Radiation Therapy
Many side effects go away within a few weeks after radiation treatment ends. But some side effects can linger or appear later due to the cumulative effects of radiation on tissues. Common delayed side effects include:
Fatigue
Fatigue often persists for weeks after treatment stops. Gradually resuming normal activities and exercise can help overcome fatigue. Allow the body time to recover its stamina.
Skin Changes
It’s common for skin in the treatment area to appear sunburned for several weeks after radiation. The area may itch, peel, and be more sensitive. Skin will gradually heal but can remain discolored.
Hair Loss
Radiation only causes permanent hair loss in the specific area treated, such as the scalp. Hair will grow back over time though it may be thinner or a different texture.
Loss of Appetite
Changes in taste buds and digestive issues can persist for a short time after radiation, causing reduced appetite. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea usually resolve within a few weeks but can last longer.
When to Call Your Doctor About Side Effects
Most side effects of radiation therapy will resolve over time after treatment ends. But discuss any persisting or severe side effects with your radiation oncologist’s office. Call right away if you experience:
– Difficulty swallowing
– Shortness of breath
– Chest pain
– Severe nausea/vomiting
– Severe diarrhea
– Significant weight loss
– Bloody stool
– Heavy bleeding from treatment area
– Large or painful skin blisters in treatment area
– Signs of infection like fever, chills, cough
Your radiation oncology team may adjust your treatment plan or prescribe medications to manage side effects. Promptly reporting symptoms helps ensure you complete your prescribed radiation doses so it can be fully effective against the cancer.
FAQs About Radiation Therapy Side Effects
Are side effects a sign radiation therapy is working?
Side effects indicate that radiation is affecting both cancer cells and nearby healthy cells. But side effects alone don’t determine whether treatment is working. Your radiation oncology team monitors the effectiveness through physical exams, imaging tests, bloodwork, and assessment of symptoms.
Should I stop radiation therapy if the side effects are too severe?
Don’t stop treatment without consulting your radiation oncologist. They can adjust the radiation dose or area being treated to help manage side effects. Stopping treatment early reduces effectiveness against the cancer.
Why do side effects sometimes get worse after radiation therapy ends?
Cells can continue to be affected by radiation damage for days or weeks after treatment stops. It takes time for normal tissues to recover. Follow-up with your care team helps monitor side effects after treatment.
Will I have side effects for the rest of my life after radiation?
Some side effects like fatigue, skin changes, and loss of appetite resolve within weeks. Others like decreased saliva production can be long-term. Talk to your doctor about what side effects may be permanent based on your treatment.
How can I reduce my risk of side effects?
Following skin care instructions, staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, and reporting symptoms early to your care team can help minimize side effects. Your radiation oncology team works to limit radiation dose to healthy tissues.
Conclusion
Radiation therapy is a key treatment for cancer, but side effects do occur because radiation inevitably affects some healthy cells near the tumor. Fatigue and skin changes are common during treatment. Nausea, vomiting, appetite changes, and bowel issues can result depending on the area being treated. Most acute symptoms resolve within weeks of finishing radiation. Staying hydrated, eating well, following skin care instructions, and reporting concerning symptoms helps manage side effects. This allows patients to complete prescribed radiation doses for the best chance of destroying cancer cells. Work closely with your radiation oncology team to minimize discomfort and maintain quality of life during this important cancer treatment.