We all know that fighting cancer is not easy. When you have to face something like radiation therapy, it is very normal to have many questions and maybe even a little fear in your mind. Especially, you may be wondering about the side effects of these treatments, what they are like, and how long they will last. So today, in this article, we will talk about the side effects that can occur from these radiation treatments in a simple way for you to understand.
Why do these radiation therapy treatments cause side effects?
Simply put, radiation therapy is the use of high-energy rays (often X-rays) to destroy cancer cells in your body. Radiation oncologists (also known as radiation oncologists) carefully plan the treatment. Their goal is to minimize damage to healthy cells and maximize the damage to cancer cells.
However, no matter how careful you are, sometimes the healthy cells near the tumor can also be affected by this radiation. The good news is that, unlike cancer cells, these healthy cells can recover after being damaged by radiation. However, it is during this recovery that you may experience these side effects.
It's hard to predict exactly what side effects a person will experience, or how severe they will be. Your doctor is the best person to explain the changes your body may be experiencing. However, it's good to be aware in general, so let's talk about these side effects further.
What are the most common side effects of radiation therapy?
One of the most common side effects of radiation therapy is fatigue . This is not just normal fatigue, it is a feeling of weakness that does not go away even with rest.
Apart from that, there are several other common side effects:
- Skin changes: The skin in the area receiving radiation therapy may become red, darken (in people with darker skin tones), blister, peel, or itch. We also call this condition ``Radiation Dermatitis''. This is similar to what happens to the skin when you get sunburned.
- Hair loss: Hair follicles in the area being treated with radiation may fall out. For example, radiation therapy for brain cancer or head and neck cancer may cause hair loss on the scalp.
- Decreased blood cell count: Radiation therapy may cause a decrease in the number of certain types of blood cells.
These side effects are usually short-term and will gradually improve after treatment is finished. However, for some people, they may last longer.
Specific side effects of radiation therapy to different parts of the body
Side effects often depend on where your doctor directs the radiation beam on your body, so different parts of the body may be affected differently.
When radiation treatment is given to the brain
When you have radiation treatment for brain cancer, it can affect your central nervous system. That means it can affect the way you think, the way your senses work, and the way you speak.
- Nausea may occur.
- The hair on your head may be thinning or falling out.
- You may experience a headache or a feeling of pressure inside your head.
- You may experience memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and a little anxiety.
- Vision changes (e.g. blurred vision).
- Hearing loss (not being able to hear what is being said clearly).
Treatments such as Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), which are performed in a few sessions for small brain tumors, are said to have fewer side effects than conventional radiotherapy, which is given to the entire brain over several weeks.
When undergoing radiation treatment to the head and neck area
When radiation therapy is given for head and neck cancers, the sense of taste, smell, eating, and speech may be affected.
- Dry mouth or thickening of saliva in the mouth.
- Hoarseness of voice.
- Dental problems (e.g., increased risk of cavities).
- Loss of taste or change in taste.
- Loss of sense of smell.
- Mouth and throat sores.
- Difficulty swallowing or speaking.
- Swelling of the face and neck.
- Decreased thyroid function (`(Hypothyroidism)`).
- Loss or thinning of facial hair (such as beard and mustache).
- Feeling of tightness in the jaw area.
When undergoing radiation treatment to the chest area
When radiation therapy is given for cancers in the chest area, such as lung cancer and esophageal cancer, it can damage cells in the organs that help with swallowing and breathing.
- Sore throat.
- Heartburn.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- The food is tasteless.
- Cough.
- Difficulty breathing.
When undergoing radiation treatment to the breasts
When radiation therapy is given for breast cancer, inflammation or fluid buildup in the breast tissue can occur. This can cause side effects such as:
- Breast pain, tenderness, or tenderness to the touch.
- Changes in the appearance of the breasts.
- Stiffness in the shoulder or arm.
- Hair loss in the treated area.
- Swelling or tightness in the breast, armpit, or arm (Lymphedema).
When radiation treatment is given to the abdomen and surrounding area
When radiation therapy is given for abdominal cancers, such as stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, and liver cancer, the lining of the digestive and excretory organs can be affected. This can cause:
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Diarrhea (bloating).
- Constipation.
- Stomach pain.
- Flatulence and the resulting pain.
- The food is tasteless.
- Unintentional weight loss.
When radiation treatment is given to the pelvis
Radiation therapy for pelvic cancers, such as rectal cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer, can affect the genitals. It can also cause side effects similar to those seen with radiation therapy to the abdomen.
Side effects that make it difficult to go to the toilet:
- Needing to urinate frequently.
- Burning sensation when urinating.
- Feeling unable to control urination or defecation.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Constipation.
- Hair loss in the treated area.
Side effects affecting sexual health:
- For women, loss of fertility and early menopause.
- Vaginal dryness, narrowing, itching, or inflammation.
- For men, the loss of the ability to have children.
- Erectile dysfunction and pain during ejaculation.
When do these side effects start? How long will they last?
Side effects of radiation therapy usually start within the first few weeks of treatment . You may feel some of them in the first few days. However, sometimes side effects start several weeks after treatment, or even a few weeks after treatment ends.
The duration of these side effects can vary from person to person. In general, side effects tend to increase as treatment continues.
These side effects usually begin to subside within the first few weeks after treatment. Common side effects, such as fatigue, usually go away within a few months. If you have had radiation treatment to the head or neck, it can take two to three months for your hair to grow back.
However, sometimes the side effects of radiation therapy can be long-lasting and permanent . Or, they can start weeks, months, or even years after treatment ends. This depends largely on the strength of the radiation dose you receive and which part of your body is treated.
Depending on your diagnosis and the type of radiation treatment you receive, it is very important to talk to your doctor about the risk of long-term side effects.
How to manage the side effects of radiation therapy?
Many of the methods used to manage the side effects of chemotherapy, which is sometimes given during cancer treatment, can also be used to manage the side effects of radiation therapy.
Here are some general tips to keep in mind:
- Make sure you get enough rest. Understand that the fatigue from radiation therapy is not something you can "bear." Take breaks when you need them, and do some light work. Plan your work and light exercise around the times of day when you feel most energetic.
- Take special care of your skin and hair. If you are having radiation treatment to your head or neck, use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect yourself from the sun when you go outside. Wash your skin and hair with lukewarm water and a mild, non-abrasive soap, pat dry, and avoid using skin care products that contain harsh chemicals.
- Be prepared for changes in your diet. To avoid digestive problems, it may be better to eat several small meals a day instead of three large meals. You may also need to choose foods that are less spicy and less oily than you are used to. Talking to a dietitian and planning your meals can be very helpful at this time.
- Make your mental health a priority. Keep your mind healthy by getting enough sleep and trying stress-reducing techniques like meditation. Talking to a psychologist or therapist can help you manage cognitive difficulties and the challenges of living with cancer.
- Plan for possible changes to your sex life and fertility. You may need other treatments to manage the sexual side effects of radiation therapy. Your doctor can tell you about resources to help you have a baby after treatment.
- If necessary, use the medications your doctor prescribes. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help relieve the side effects of radiation. Depending on your side effects, you may also be given some medications to prevent them.
- If necessary, seek the help of specialists. People like dietitians and psychologists can be important additions to your care team during radiation therapy. In addition, you may benefit from palliative care. These care methods can help relieve cancer symptoms and the side effects of treatment.
It can be a bit overwhelming to plan ahead for what to expect when undergoing radiation therapy. In addition to the uncertainty that comes with a cancer diagnosis, there are other uncertainties, such as the side effects that come with treatment. No one can predict exactly what your experience will be like.
Finally, the most important thing to remember
But, we do know this: Radiation technology is now much more advanced and precise than before. As a result, this technology can kill cancer cells without exposing surrounding healthy tissue to harmful doses of radiation. Less exposure to healthy cells means fewer side effects.
Ask your doctor what changes you are likely to experience, based on your diagnosis and treatment plan. He or she can explain what side effects you should watch out for, and what treatments and management options are available. Don't worry, you are not alone in this journey.
` Radiation therapy, side effects, cancer, health, treatment, skin problems, fatigue
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