The field of Radiation Therapy is where skilled healthcare professionals help patients to reclaim their lives. Imagine being a radiation therapist and helping patients who are battling with cancer. In this blog, we will discuss what is radiation therapy and what are the side effects of radiation therapy. As we all know every beneficial treatment has its side effects. Let us dive into it!
What is Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy is also known as radiotherapy, and it is the cancer treatment. In this treatment high radiation is used to target cancerous cells.
What are the side effects of Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy is very useful in the treatment of cancer. But we all know that with treatments, come its side effects. There are early and late side effects of radiation therapy. Early side effects of radiation therapy are seen during or shortly after treatment, whereas long-term side effects take months or years to develop.
Fatigue:
It is one of the most common side effects of radiation therapy. During this, the patient feels completely drained with very little energy to go on with daily activities. The reasons radiation therapy causes fatigue are as follows:
- Damaging healthy cells.
- Increase in cytokines to combat the effects of radiation therapy.
- Reduction in the production of red blood cells and causing anemia.
Tips to manage fatigue during radiation therapy:
- Sleep and rest.
- Light exercise
- Balanced diet and hydration
- Using energy-conserving techniques
Skin changes
Another side effect of radiation therapy is skin-related side effects that can be short-term or long-lasting. The reasons and tips on how to manage this side effect of radiation therapy are as follows:
- The skin may become more dry, sensitive, and itchy.
- Changes in melanin production may result in hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.
- Excess fibrous tissue that might cause scarring.
- Desquamation
Tips to manage these side effects of Radiation Therapy:
- Cleanse carefully and moisturize.
- Avoid sun exposure and use sunscreens.
- Wear loose soft and breathable clothes.
- Stretching and massage to reduce the feeling of skin tightness.
Hair loss
Another side effect of radiation therapy is hair loss. Hair loss occurs 2-3 weeks after radiation therapy starts and may last for several weeks after the radiation therapy is done. In some cases, there may be no hair growth, or the hair is thinner and has a different texture. It is location-specific hair loss.
- Head: May lose hair in patches.
- Face: May loose eyebrows and eyelashes.
- Body: Localized hair loss is caused in the areas of the body, such as armpits, pubic area, etc.
Tips to manage these side effects of Radiation Therapy:
- Moisturize scalp.
- Avoid irritants.
- Use wigs, turbans, scarves, or hats if there is a loss of hair on the head.
- Emotional support from friends and facilities.
- Permanent solutions may include hair transplant or scalp micro-pigmentation.
Side effects of Radiation Therapy on different parts of the body
Radiation therapy affects the parts of the body and brain, what are the symptoms and how to manage these are as follows:
Side effects of Radiation Therapy on the Brain:
Radiation therapy targeting the brain is an effective treatment for conditions like brain tumors, neurological disorders, and more. Some common side effects of radiation therapy on the brain are as follows:
Short-term side effects:
- Fatigue or tiredness.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Hair loss.
- Headaches
- Cognitive effects such as short-term memory loss.
- Swelling in the brain or edema.
Long-term side effects:
- Memory loss and difficulty with problem-solving
- Hormonal changes that may cause hypothyroidism.
- Radiation necrosis is a rare side effect in which healthy tissue of the brain dies with radiation therapy.
- Loss of hearing
- Risk of secondary tumors
- Increase of vascular problems such as stroke.
Managing side effects on the Brain:
- Medications
- Regular monitoring
- Nutritional support
Side effects of Radiation Therapy on Head or Neck
Radiation therapy on the head and neck is used to treat cancers such as oral cancer, throat cancer, or brain tumors. The side effects may include the following:
- Dry mouth or xerostomia
- Trouble swallowing
- Dental issues
- Swelling in the throat, gums, or neck
- Changes in taste
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Change in the texture of the skin.
- Soreness
- Jaw stiffness
Managing side effects on the Head or Neck
- Oral and throat care
- To manage a dry mouth use saliva substitutes or ice chips to keep your mouth moist
- Take small frequent meals and experiment with flavors.
- Swallowing exercises help to maintain flexibility in the throat.
- Frequent dental checkups are necessary.
- Eat sugar-free snacks or candies.
- Use products for your mouth that do not irritate.
Side effects of Radiation Therapy on Breast
If you are getting radiation therapy on the breast it may affect your heart and lungs. Side effects of radiation on breasts include the following:
- Skin reactions such as redness, swelling, or itchiness.
- Peeling or blistering of the skin.
- Breast swelling and tenderness.
- Pain or discomfort in the breast.
- Change the shape or size of breast.
- Increased risk of lymphedema.
- Inflammation or damage to the ribs or chest wall muscles.
- Depending on the location of radiation, it can also affect the heart or lungs.
How to manage the side effects on Breast
- Moisturize regularly and avoid irritants.
- Use anti-inflammatory medications.
- Using numbing creams or topical pain relievers.
- Gentle stretching or exercise.
- Regular checkups if you are at risk of lung or heart complications.
Radiation Therapy side effects on the Abdomen or Belly area
Radiation therapy on the abdomen often indicates cancer of the intestines, pancreas, or stomach. Its side effects include the following:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fatigue.
- Changes in bowel function such as diarrhea, constipation, or cramps.
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Change in appetite.
- Fluid accumulation.
- In some cases, secondary cancers.
Managing the side effects on the Abdomen
- Manage nausea and vomiting by taking medications, eating small frequent meals, and avoiding greasy foods.
- To combat fatigue, take a rest and sleep properly.
- Take fiber intake, stay hydrated, and avoid trigger food.
- Use warm compresses to relieve abdominal pain.
- Regular checkups.
Side effects of Radiation Therapy on Pelvis
The Radiation Therapy on the pelvis area may indicate the patient is suffering from prostate cancer, cancer of the uterus, bladder, or rectum. The side effects of radiation therapy on the prostate area are as follows. These symptoms are also seen in prostate cancer.
- Urinary symptoms
- Bowel changes
- Sexual dysfunction
- Pelvic pain
- Inflammation of the bladder lining
- Weakening of bones in the pelvic region
Managing side effects of Radiation Therapy on the Pelvic area
- Taking medications and pain relievers
- Pelvic floor therapy
- Staying hydrated and taking a high-fiber diet.
- Regular monitoring and follow-up checkups.
Does Radiation cause hair loss?
Yes, radiation therapy causes hair loss, unlike chemotherapy, hair loss is at the localized place where radiation therapy is done. It can cause alopecia.
What are the long-term side effects of Radiation Therapy?
Some of the long-term side effects include the following:
- Fertility problems
- Lung problems
- Mental and emotional problems
- Endocrine system damage
- Heart problems
Does Radiation make you sick?
Yes! The radiation from radiation therapy makes a patient sick with symptoms like nausea, vomiting pain, and more. Especially high doses of radiation frequently can make you sick.
How long after Radiotherapy will I feel better?
From a few weeks to 2 months, however, some symptoms may last longer.
Radiation to which body area may result in difficulty swallowing?
Radiation therapy done on the chest or neck may result in the side effect of difficulty in swallowing. Difficulty in swallowing is also known as dysphagia.
What are the side effects of radiation for lung cancer?
A side effect of radiation therapy for lung cancer includes fatigue, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, hoarseness in voice box, nausea, and more.
Conclusion
Radiation therapy plays an important role in the treatment of cancer. Radiation therapy has a lot of benefits that help the patient fight cancer, but it has its side effects. In this blog, we have discussed what are the side effects of radiation therapy and how to manage them. Some are short-term and might go away in a few weeks after the treatment is over, whereas some are long-term and may last longer period or forever.
