Medicine may be given to protect healthy tissue and prevent side effects of radiation therapy. Radiation can be an effective treatment for breast cancer, but it does have side effects. These symptoms begin 1 to 2 weeks after you start radiation therapy and may get worse during treatment. It can also affect other structures in the treatment area. Pdf the aim of this study was to observe the most common radiotherapy related acute side effects and the effective modulating treatment of. Managing radiation therapy side effects cancer council nsw. Side effects of radiation therapy what you need to know. It is important to remember that the type and severity of the. Side effects may happen with radiation therapy because the high. Treatment must be carefully planned to minimize side effects. Managing the adverse effects of radiation therapy american. Side effects may happen with radiation therapy because the high doses of radiation used to kill. The most common side effects are feeling tired and.
Fatigue is common during radiation therapy and may last for several weeks after treatment ends. Radiation may be given to the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. Radiation therapy can irritate the mucous membranes lining the mouth, throat and upper part of the esophagus. He or she will arrange for you to meet with a doctor. Side effects of radiation therapy cancer council victoria. If you have questions at any time during your treatment, please let the therapist know. Table 1 lists adverse effects of radiation therapy, including risk factors and treatment recommendations.
External radiation side effects worksheet external radiation therapy uses special equipment to deliver high doses of radiation to cancerous tumors, killing or damaging them so they cannot grow, multiply. The goal is to destroy or damage the cancer without hurting too many healthy cells. This may cause side effects to happen anywhere in the body where radiation therapy is given. Request pdf acute side effects of radiation therapy this book provides clear guidance on how to manage a wide range of side effects frequently encountered when treating patients with radiation. Types of radiation different treatment types include external beam radiation and internal radiation therapy delivered orally, through an iv, or as an implant. Most symptoms will start to improve about 2 to 4 weeks after treatment has ended. Over onethird of americans use complementary and alternative medicine cam. During the last weeks of treatment you will discuss.
Radiation therapy is given after a lumpectomy surgery and sometimes after mastectomy. Your treatment will begin a few days or weeks after. Radiation therapy also called radiotherapy uses targeted, highenergy xrays to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy to the chest may result in shortness of breath, breast or nipple soreness, or shoulder stiffness. Your doctor or nurse will discuss external beam radiation therapy, its benefits and side effects, and ways you can care for yourself during and after treatment. Side effects from radiation therapy vary from person to person and depend on the part of the body being treated, the dose of radiation given, the size of the treatment area and if you are receiving chemotherapy prior, during or after radiation. External beam radiation therapy for cancer national. Radiation therapy and side effects radiation therapy uses xrays to kill cancer cells. Ideally, these will be implemented in ways that support the critical need for efficient, largescale studies of the radiation late effects of proton therapy. External radiation therapy uses special equipment to deliver high doses of radiation to cancerous tumors, killing or damaging them so they cannot grow, multiply, or spread.
Other side effects may show up months or years after radiation therapy is over. This 1page printable pdf gives an introduction to radiation therapy, including an overview of the different types of radiation, what to expect during treatment, possible side effects, terms to know, and questions to ask the health care team. Your risk for nausea and vomiting depends on how much radiation you are getting, how much of your body is in the treatment area, and whether you are also having chemotherapy. Side effects of radiation therapy canadian cancer society. Having an awareness of simple tips, such as how to care for you skin, how to pace yourself. You have an important role to play in your radiation therapy. However, radiation therapy has a slower delay in erectile function decline than surgery. Side effects from radiation therapy vary from person to person and depend on the part of the body being treated, the dose of radiation given, the size of the treatment area and if you are receiving. Unlike chemotherapy, which exposes the entire body to cancerfighting chemicals, radiation therapy af fects only the tumor and the surrounding area. Side effects and complications depend on total radiation dose, treatment volume, and.
Radiation therapy affects both cancer cells and normal cells that are in the treatment site. Sideeffects of radiation therapy for cancer treatment. Radiation therapy and you national cancer institute. Pdf over onethird of americans use complementary and alternative medicine cam. Pdf managing radiation therapy side effects with complementary. Conventional cancer treatments in themselves may cause. The possible side effects with external beam radiation therapy for a brain tumour can be divided into three groups. During treatment, tell your radiation oncology team about any side effects, as they can usually be controlled with the right care and medicine. Radiation therapy can treat many cancers, but it can also injure healthy cells at or near the treatment area. We have included information about managing the most common side effects. Other side effects from radiation therapy happen in the body part through which the beam passes. We have included information about ways to manage the most common side effects. It is one of the most common treatments for cancer, either by itself or along with other forms of treatment. Radiation therapy to the spine for two or more weeks you will receive radiation therapy to your spine.
The side effects of radiation therapy vary from patient to patient and depend upon what type of cancer you have, where your treatment doses are located, and how healthy you were prior to starting. Side effects of radiation therapy, such as skin irritation, fatigue, cough, and more are common during treatment. Radiation therapy uses highenergy particles or waves to destroy or damage cancer cells. Managing radiation therapy side effects with complementary. A person may receive it alongside another treatment or alone. Acute side effects of radiation therapy request pdf. Before recommending any treatment, the radiation oncologist will. This handout gives a general description of the side effects you may experience when receiving radiation therapy to the mouth, throat and neck. Radiation therapy treats cancer by using highenergy waves to kill tumor cells. Cancer and radiation therapy international journal.
Most side effects are temporary and go away in time. The prevalence among cancer patients may even be higher find. You will meet with a radiation therapy nurse to discuss skin care and how to cope with possible side effects. Radiation therapy can damage normal cells as well as cancer cells. This 1page printable pdf gives an introduction to radiation therapy, including an overview of the different types of radiation, what to expect during.
For example, radiation therapy thats directed at the pelvis may cause fertility problems, and radiation therapy in the head and neck region may produce dental problems like cavities. Radiation therapy or radiotherapy, often abbreviated rt, rtx, or xrt, is a therapy using ionizing radiation, generally as part of cancer treatment to control or kill malignant cells and normally delivered by a. Nausea and vomiting can occur after radiation therapy to the stomach, small intestine, colon, or parts of the brain. Common side effects include skin changes and fatigue. Preventing and controlling side effects is a major focus of your health care. Radiation delivered to the abdomen may cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, while radiation.
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